Music Commons^™

The Autodidactic Process Of Hugo Wolf And The Fourfold Learning Equation, Frank L. Strnad

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates and discusses the self-study process of the Austro-Slovene composer Hugo Wolf. A fourfold learning equation consisting of imitation+emulation+invention =results will be presented, discussed, and applied to the musical compositions of Hugo Wolf, who learned how to compose music mostly by self-study, and minimal formal conservatory level training. Standard methods of analysis of musical construct, harmony, and orchestration will be used to evaluate each musical work. The selected musical works and their musical qualities were chosen to illustrate the effectiveness of the use of the fourfold learning equation by Wolf, both with and/or without instructional resources. This dissertation …

Tradition, Pedagogy, And Internet Open-Access Music Libraries, Erin Tallman

Pomona Senior Theses

In this paper I take up the topic of open-access digital music libraries, specifically the ways performance and pedagogical traditions interact with and are impacted by open-access or public domain sheet music libraries on the internet. I first consider how traditions of performance and pedagogy have become misaligned in the case of viola repertoire and its historical context. I then turn to questions of copyright on the internet and copyleft practices as they relate to internet open-access libraries such as IMSLP, finding that they often are simply a new medium through which to uphold existing patterns, despite their apparent potential …

How To Vocally Train Transgender Singers: A Thorough Literature Review, Sydney A. Timmer

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The knowledge of training transgender voices is just beginning to make its way into mainstream music education. However, there needs to be more known and a curriculum in place to address this critical topic. Transgender students face many unique challenges in the voice studio, and educators must have the knowledge to teach these students. There are several elements to consider when training transgender students. These elements include the anatomical changes of masculinizing hormones on the body and voice, the anatomical changes of feminizing hormones on the body and voice, vocal exercises for both transfeminine and transmasculine students, how to choose …

Youth Musicians’ Executive Functioning And Its Impact On Emotional And Behavioral Health, Michael A. Tate

Dissertations and Theses

A growing body of neuroscience literature shows that music promotes brain development, as learning a music instrument involves multiple brain regions and neurocognitive systems. In partnership with a non-profit organization with a mission to strengthen New York City communities through music education programs, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of music training on children’s executive functioning (EF), as well as emotional and behavioral outcomes. We hypothesized that (i) children’s EF would develop more rapidly with exposure to the program; (ii) the intensity of practice would be associated with rate of growth of children’s EF, emotion regulation and behavior; (iii) …

Burmese Buddhist Monks, The Seventh Precept, And Cognitive Dissonance, Heather Maclachlan

Department of Music Faculty Publications

Burmese Theravada Buddhist monks have varying degrees of involvement with music; this study of 22 monks from across Burma/Myanmar reveals that most of them often listen to recorded music. At the same time the monks acknowledge that Buddhism’s Seventh Precept is (or ought to be) a guide for their behavior, agreeing that to be “attached” to music is to violate their monastic rule. They therefore experience cognitive dissonance, and they respond to this dissonance in predictable ways - that is, in ways documented by researchers working with Western populations. They differ, however, in their phenomenological experiences of attachment.

The Most Common Vocal Fault In The Baritone Voice, Matthew Derek Cyphert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research project is to create an approachable guide to avoiding the most common vocal fault found in the baritone singing voice. The specific fault being discussed has been coined the “baritone swallow.” This document will explore the history of the baritone singing voice along with information regarding vocal fach identification, an in-depth study of this common vocal fault frequently experienced by baritone singers, and a fault-specific guide to identifying and addressing the “baritone swallow.”

Addressing The Accessibility Gap In Music: A Review Of The Literature, Rachel Ann Vaughan

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Diversifying Piano Literature: East Asian Music For Piano Study And Performance In The United States, Akina Kondoh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper describes the extent piano music by East Asian composers has been incorporated in piano teaching at the college level in the United States. Included are the results of a survey of piano teachers at National Association of Schools of Music-accredited collegiate institutions; a discussion of the need for diversification of piano literature given the demographics of piano students in the United States; and several strategies to incorporate piano music by East Asian composers. The paper also includes a list of composers and resources available for obtaining piano works by East Asian composers.

Singers’ Experiences Of Community In The Shenandoah Valley Children’S Choir, Heidi B. King

Masters Theses, 2020-current

In the music and education fields, researchers have explored the ways people experience community in classroom and ensemble settings; however, few studies have focused on the ways adolescents experience community in the children’s choir setting. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore singers’ perspectives of their experience of community in the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir. Fifteen singers participated in focus group interviews to generate primary data; rehearsal observations and document analysis served as secondary data sources. Analysis revealed that participants’ goals and motivations aligned with the stated goals of the organization, and that these shared goals gave …

Multicultural Music Education: Preparedness, Perceptions, And Practice Among Virginia Elementary Music Educators, Benjamin J. Luna

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Benjamin Joel Luna, M. M.

James Madison University, 2021

Supervisor: Lisa M. Maynard

The purpose of this study was to examine the Multicultural Music Education (MME) practices of established (i.e. more than three years of music teaching experience) Elementary Music Teachers in the state of Virginia by examining their responses to a series of survey questions specific to the topic. Participants (N=18) were all current Elementary Music Teachers in the state of Virginia with more than three years of experience.

Participants were asked to use Likert-scale ratings for the majority of the questions but were also given the …

Stress And Burnout Among Undergraduate Music Education Majors: An Examination Of Trends, Influences, And Coping Mechanisms, Emily Carroll

Honors Projects

Previous research points to an increase in undergraduate music education major stress. A stress questionnaire was sent to three Midwest collegiate institutions: one was a mid-sized liberal arts school, another was a conservatory, and the last was a large state institution. Findings confirm concerning elevated levels of stress among undergraduate music education majors. The levels of stress appear to be a universal issue in this particular degree program, implying there is a need for change to better student wellness.

Shaping The Mind Through Music- A Family Challenge Of The 21st Century, Elisa H. Meyer

Honors Projects

This research provides reasoning for the importance of music education in America's schools. Music education is an integral ingredient in the cognitive development of the child- benefiting long term functions such as speech and language skills, memory, creativity, critical thinking, and general intelligence. Music allows a child to develop into their whole selves, encouraging the growth of their fullest potential. Various educational philosophies, such as the Rudolf Steiner philosophy and the Suzuki method describe the significance of this and outline substancial ways in which this integration is made possible. These philosophies are defined and discussed within this paper. Finally, insight …

Constructivist Peer Review In Music Theory And Composition Courses: Technologies And Practice, Brendan Mcconville

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

This article considers the supporting technologies and practices for effective semi-anonymous peer review in traditional music theory and composition-related courses: orchestration, arranging, and composition. A coordinated approach probes two questions nested within one broad case study: (1) does the use of peer review in music theory and composition-related courses create meaningful, constructivist-inspired learning experiences, and (2) what web technologies can efficiently and effectively accomplish its activities? The article first provides a constructivist theoretical framework; next, it explains the methodologies, technologies, and resulting feedback from using peer review in a three-course study; and finally it provides concluding remarks on the many …

Constructivism In Choral Music Education: Supplemental Activities For The Traditional Choral Ensemble, Allison Renee Fojo

Graduate Thesis Collection

Constructivism in music education can help teachers and students alike better their educational experience by working as a collaborative team. In the choral classroom, constructivist teaching establishes the teacher as the facilitator of learning rather than the “teacher as conductor.” Teachers help foster the musical-thinking of the ensemble. Students learn and retain information when teachers can support learners’ understanding of musical ideas and work within the student’s zone of proximal development. Through the use of teacher-guided questioning, cognitive apprenticeship, informal music-making, CMP, problem-solving, and Understanding by Design, students become active participants. Included are supplemental activities for the traditional choir classroom …

An Exploration Of Team Teaching In The School Band Setting, Aaron Zane Thomas

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the goals, structure, and director perceptions of team-teaching practices within a vertically-aligned band program. Previous research has indicated that “team teaching” can provide many benefits to both students and teachers. Since not all school districts apply such a system, the objective of this study was to explore a school band program that has implemented vertically-aligned team teaching. I wanted to understand how the directors perceived its benefits, drawbacks, and difficulties. I selected a band program with an established vertically-aligned program that used team-teaching as a pedagogical strategy. I interviewed and observed band …

Breaking The Cycle: Incorporating A Pedagogy Of Expression In Secondary Ensembles, Autumn Mortenson

Senior Honors Theses

Western music education is caught in a cycle of constant concert preparation. Even though teaching expression is an important standard of music education, it is not often the focus of secondary ensembles. This thesis explores the rationale for teaching secondary instrumental students to think expressively, the benefits of teaching expressive performance, and the methods to successfully incorporate this pedagogy. This project aims to show that the creation of expressive opportunity and responsibility during regular rehearsals would allow the students to further develop these skills without detracting from the quality of public performances. The conclusion of this project will provide ensemble …

Remixed, Remastered: Investigating Organizational Adaptation In Higher Music Education, Jacob Bruce Hertzog

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Higher music education presents a unique opportunity to examine change within higher education due to the digital revolution in the music industry over the past two decades. The purpose for conducting this study was to describe, map, and explain the strategies that higher music education programs are using to adapt to the digital revolution in the music industry. This study was grounded in organizational adaptation theory, drawing upon nine well-established theories: population ecology, life cycles, strategic choice, isomorphism, symbolic action, resource dependence, cybernetics, and network theory. Critical concepts of the turbulent environment, environmental perception, and organizational adaptation strategy emerged from …

Serving Special Education Students In The Music Classroom: Accommodating And Advocating For Learners With Exceptionalities, Kathryn Lambert

Masters Theses

Music education programs positively impact the lives of students both socially and emotionally. As the following research suggests, music may have an even greater impact on students with disabilities or exceptionalities. Due to the lack of accessibility, funding, time, training, and other issues, opportunities in music education programs may be limited to groups of students who may not fit the standard music education student profile. As teachers of common core classes may struggle to accommodate students with exceptionalities and may feel as if they are lacking in resources or other needed preparation to adequately serve these students, these struggles are …

An Analysis Of Effective Practice Strategies For The Performing Undergraduate University-Level Pianist, Elizabeth Ann Duncan

Music Theses & Dissertations

The intent of this study was to provide awareness of the trends surrounding piano practice pedagogy as determined by students either immersed in a university piano program or graduates thereof. The areas of study include a historical context of university music programs and the field of piano pedagogy, trends of imitative instruction, the importance of qualitative and quantitative practice, and the discovery of piano practice routines of collegiate pianists. This research project was approved for an IRB exemption by the Old Dominion University College of Arts and Letters.

Within this study, the subjects were either graduates of a collegiate piano …

Audiation And Its Applications For Intonation In Beginning Band, Jake G. Maine

Honors College Theses

Music educators take on the daunting task of teaching students a wide array of skills necessary to promote independent musicianship. Among this list of skills is the ability to play with good intonation. The theoretical basis of this study draws on the work of Edwin E. Gordon, his music learning theory, and his audiation based approach to the acquisition of musical proficiency. This study implements three separate treatments: singing with Curwen hand signs, playing with an accurate tonal model, and playing over a tonic drone to measure the effectiveness of each treatment. Participants were 7th grade band students who play …

Work In Progress. Haydn’S Schemata And Hexachords: Two Analytical Case Studies, Gilad Rabinovitch

HAYDN: Online Journal of the Haydn Society of North America

Two analytical case studies, from Haydn’s minuet al roverso (from the Symphony Hob. I: 47) and the opening movement of the String Quartet Op. 50, no. 6, show the interaction of galant schemata (Gjerdingen 2007) and the hexachordal solmization of the solfeggio tradition (Baragwanath 2020). Haydn plays upon conventional galant schemata—presumably elements of style shared by listeners who are closely familiar with the idiom (even if they do not have explicit schema labels); he also plays upon a more esoteric element of his own training and that of many other musicians in the period: hexachordal solmization. By considering both schemata …

The Vocal Point: Honoring A Legacy: The Final Conversation With Arthur Woodley, Justin John Moniz, Minnita Daniel-Cox

Department of Music Faculty Publications

AMERICAN BASS ARTHUR WOODLEY APPEARED with prestigious opera companies around the U.S. and abroad, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera, L'Opera de Montreal, Opera Philadelphia, Dallas Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Pittsburgh, Opera, New Orleans Opera, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. His many roles included Varlaam in Boris Godunov, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, the Four Villains in Les contes d'Hoffman, Kuno in Der Freischütz, Banquo in Macbeth, Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress, Sulpice in La fille du régiment, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Rocco in …

Introduction To Special Issue, Music In World Religions: A Response To Isabel Laack, Heather Maclachlan

Department of Music Faculty Publications

This article serves to introduce a special issue of Religions, titled Music in World Religions. A 2015 article by religion scholar Isabel Laack claimed that the study of music and religion has been neglected by Laack’s peers in the field of religions. Responding to Laack, I argue that scholars of music have been making important contributions to the study of music and religion and, indeed, have been addressing the twelve specific topics she highlights for decades. After summarizing academic works which respond to Laack’s twelve categories of inquiry, I introduce each of the articles in this special issue, showing that …

Equipping The Wearer Of Many Hats: Considerations For A Classroom Choir Teacher And Theatrical Music Director, Joshua Burfeind

Senior Honors Theses

A high school choir teacher also serving as the theater music director is faced with the challenge of facilitating the learning process for a similar group of students at two different times of day in two different types of performance. One general key to success is to keep the aim in mind. For classroom choirs, the goal is to perform an intricately refined set of songs, calling for a long-term plan supplemented by learning moments. By contrast, the vocal rehearsal for theater must focus on efficiency because of the limited amount of rehearsal time considering the various other aspects of …

Book Review: Globalization, Nationalism And Music Education In The Twenty-First Century In Greater China, By Wai-Chung Ho, Amsterdam University Press, 2021, P. 342, Isbn: 978-9463729932, Frank Abrahams

Visions of Research in Music Education

No abstract provided.

Inspired Practice: The Values Of High School Band Directors, Gregory X. Whitmore

Visions of Research in Music Education

This study addresses how high school band directors operationalize their values for music education in their band program s. High school band directors described that their values developed from a variety of influences, namely their educator identity, and the experience of their own participation in high school and collegiate music. I employed a qualitative methodology to determine emergent themes and compare participant responses and band program curricula. Findings from this study indicate these values inform many band directors’ decisions regarding high school band curricula, which they operationalize in curricular outcomes, and through a variety of artistic and educational opportunities for …

Investigating The Music Learning Journeys Of A Student From Cyprus: A Case Study, Maria Papazachariou-Christoforou

Visions of Research in Music Education

The purpose of this case study was to explore the music-making and learning practices of a male elementary student from Cyprus in different settings, inside and outside school. It considers that individuals take many different pathways to become musicians. Their journeys might include contexts in a broad educational spectrum from highly structured and sequential, to informal, and enculturating. The study investigated the characteristics and practices of the diverse teaching-learning contexts involving the participant, the intersection of those settings, and the student's perceptions, feelings, and thoughts about the value of music experiences in those settings for his musical growth. The study …

The Application Of Critical Theory To A Sixth Grade General Music Class, Frank Abrahams

Visions of Research in Music Education

This article looks at critical theory as a post-modern philosophical foundation for a sixth grade general music curriculum. The author reviews the literature on critical theory, discussing the origins of the theory in Frankfurt, Germany in the early 1920s and traces the applications critical theory finds in American schools of the current era. The author suggests that critical theory is appropriate for music education as it empowers musicianship and enables music teachers to connect the music children experience in school with the music they hear outside. The author describes how critical theory may inform and transform the development of a …

Musical Knowledge And Choral Curriculum Development, David Bower

Visions of Research in Music Education

This paper examines the nature of musical knowledge as it impacts choral curriculum development. The author suggests that musical knowledge is broader than the mere recitation of facts and therefore argues for a praxial conception of musical knowledge. Based on David Elliott's philosophy of music education, the author suggests that the choral curriculum emphasize process over product and explores ways that constructivism may inform the delivery of choral music instruction.

The Relationship Of Vocal Accuracy, Gender, And Music Aptitude Amoung Elementary Students, Susan C. Guerrini

Visions of Research in Music Education

The purpose of the study was to gain insight into how children in the fourth and fifth grade acquire singing ability. The question to be pursued in the course of this study is as follows: What differences are found in children's singing accuracy relative to tonal music aptitude and gender? The students in the sample comprised the entire fourth and fifth grades in a suburban middleclass school. There were 174 students with gender almost evenly distributed; specifically 86 males and 88 females. Students were audio taped singing three separate tasks: 1) patterns from the Singing Voice Development Measure (SVDM), 2) …