Music Commons^™

Made In Japan: Kumi-Daiko As A New Art Form, Anna Marie Viviano

Theses and Dissertations

Japanese taiko ensemble drumming, known in Japan as kumi-daiko, is an art form that has only taken shape within the past fifty years. This new performance style involving taiko seems, on the surface, to have much in common with traditional Japanese court and theater music, regarded by scholars as the art music of Japan. Using drums that have a long history in Japan, however, does not necessarily make that ensemble part of ancient Japanese tradition. By studying the most famous groups in Japan, such as Kodo, it is easy to discern that kumi-daiko has many different inspirations, but is not …

Conrad Susa's Discovery And Praises: A Conductor's Guide To Performance Considerations, Keith Harry Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Conrad Susa (b. 1935) is an American composer who has contributed over thirty choral works that are of high quality incorporating texts written by well-known literary figures. His choral works are usually spiritual in nature though not strictly liturgical. Discovery and Praises is a presently unpublished cantata in four movements for mixed chorus, solos for two sopranos, an alto, a tenor, and a baritone. The accompaniment is scored for organ, harp, percussion, flute and handbells. Susa chose to set ancient poetry by Caedmon, Wipo of Burgundy, John Donne, and St. Patrick. Although the piece was composed in 1966 and revised …

The Meaning And Purpose Of Quotation And Stylistic Reference In Hans Werner Henze's Requiem: Nine Sacred Concertos For Piano Solo, Trumpet Concertante, And Large Chamber Orchestra (1990-92), Daniel C. Pappas

Theses and Dissertations

Quotation and stylistic reference are important communicative devices in the musical language of Hans Werner Henze that serve as a means of expression in his multilayered approach to composition. This study examines the central role that quotation and reference play in Hans Werner Henze's Requiem: Nine Sacred Concertos for piano solo, trumpet concertante, and large chamber orchestra (1990-92). While some studies have identified selected references, their primary focus has been on the work's pitch organization and formal plan. This study instead considers Henze's unique approach to quotation and reference. In addition to interviews with the composer, Henze's own writings are …

Piano Music Of Elisenda Fábregas: A Stylistic Analysis, Jinha Park

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to present a stylistic analysis of the piano music by American-Spanish composer and pianist Elisenda F├â┬íbregas (b.1955). F├â┬íbregas' compositional output includes more than forty works for solo, chamber ensemble, vocal, chorus and orchestra; her large-scale piano works consist of Mirage (1997), Portraits I (2000), Homenatge a Mompou (2006), and Hommage ├â┬á Mozart (2006). Chapter I consists of an introduction, including the purpose of the investigation and a literature review. Chapter II covers brief biographical information, compositional genre and style, and compositional output of piano, vocal and chamber music. Chapter III provides a stylistic analysis …

A Case Study Of Three African-American String Players Participating In A Community Orchestra, Kimberly Prescott Williams

Theses and Dissertations

While there has been interest in the subject of diversity in orchestras and audiences, very little qualitative research exists exploring this issue. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that motivate African-American musicians to begin and maintain involvement in orchestral music. This research is a case-study of three African-American amateur musicians comprised of participant observation, in-depth interviewing, document collection, and analysis. Field observations and interviews occurred over a 22-week period. The resulting analysis revealed common themes that contributed to the participant's initial interest in string music and their continued participation as adults. The availability of music programs in …

An Investigation Of Selected Collegiate Voice Teachers' Descriptions Of Repertoire Selection Practices., David Stephenson

Theses and Dissertations

Repertoire is a critical component of the instructional process at all levels of music education, and more insight into music educators' repertoire selection practices is a need, especially in the case of the collegiate voice studio. A particular void in this topic is the lack of pre-service instructional training including repertoire assignment strategies for prospective and novice voice teachers. The investigator studied these topics using two data collection phases: 1) collecting descriptive data from vocal recital programs in three universities from the southern United States; and, 2) conducting interviews with five experienced voice teachers recruited from the aforementioned institutions. The …

The Music Of James Reese Europe For Vernon And Irene Castle, Ralph G. Barrett

Theses and Dissertations

James Reese Europe (1881-1919) was one of the leading African American musicians of the first two decades of the twentieth century. He was renowned as a conductor of theater and dance orchestras, a composer of syncopated dance music and popular song, and an advocate for improved opportunities and remuneration for African American professional musicians in New York. From late 1913 until mid-1915, Europe was musical director for the popular exhibition dance team of Vernon (1887-1918) and Irene (1893-1969) Castle. During their brief career, the Castle's were instrumental in changing the sordid image of social dancing during America's 'dance craze' of …

The Wind Chamber Works Of Ernst Toch: A History And Comparative Analysis, C. Nicole Gross

Theses and Dissertations

Ernst Toch (1887-1964) is one of the forgotten composers of the twentieth century. Paul Hindemith, Arnold Schoenberg, and Kurt Weill were contemporaries, while Wilhelm Furtwängler, and Erich Kleiber championed his early works. Toch lamented his lack of notoriety to Nicolas Slonimsky two years prior to his death. Forgotten or underappreciated were his numerous compositions of art music written in the decades prior to his immigration to the United States and in the final years of his career; remembered only were his lighter works and American film music.

Toch composed one work for military band: Spiel für Blasorchester, Op. 39 (1926), …

An Essay On Musical Narrative Theory And Its Role In Interpretation, With Analyses Of Works For Saxophone By Alfred Desenclos And John Harbison, Ian Macdonald Jeffress

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years the field of semiotics has increasingly been applied to musicology, with particular attention paid to the area of narrative theory. This study will provide an introduction to the essential concepts of semiotics and narrative theory, the development of a methodology of narrative analysis with examples from the saxophone repertoire, and the application of that analytical approach to Alfred Desenclos' Prélude, Cadence, et Finale and John Harbison's San Antonio. The goal of this study will be the demonstration of narrative theory's applicability to a variety of styles pertinent to the concert saxophone repertoire. It is hoped that this …

An Analysis Of And Conductor's Guide To Eleanor Daley's Requiem, Andrew James Robinette

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides a thorough analysis of and conductor's guide to Eleanor Daley's Requiem. It includes a theoretical analysis, a textual analysis, an analysis of performance and conducting considerations, a list of compositions by the composer, and a discography. Additionally, it includes score corrections, the composer's biography, a brief history of the Requiem Mass and Christian funeral music, and historical connections to other Requiems, including a chapter dedicated to the Requiem of Herbert Howells.

The study was informed by numerous correspondences and multiple interviews with the composer, as well as singing under her direction. It is the author's hope that …

Chamber Music In Alternative Venues In The 21st Century U.S.: Investigating The Effect Of New Venues On Concert Culture, Programming And The Business Of Classical Music, Sarah May Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates chamber music performances outside of traditional concert venues in the 21st-century U.S. The literature review traces the use of non-traditional venues throughout history from Bach's coffee house concerts to the gallery and loft concerts, which first emerged in the 1950s and 60s. The literature review will also look at the business of classical music established in the 20th century.

The study explores whether new venues have changed the landscape of classical music by interviewing players and concert promoters who present concerts in non-traditional venues as well as owners of popular music venues, which host classical music. Using …

The Artist's Gauntlet: A Singers' Physiological Responses To The Stimuli Of Rehearsing And Performing, John H. Pritchard

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship of a subject's heart rate variability, respiration rate and other vital statistics to rehearsing and performing as a singer. Among the events used for data collection were individual lessons of undergraduates and a lecture-recital presented by a graduate student. Findings indicate a general upward trend in HRV and an increase in range of HR%MAX among subjects while singing, along with a general decrease of respiration rate.

Three Musical Translations For Trumpet And Organ Based On Visual Artwork., John Harrison Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

Composers Petr Eben, Anthony Plog, and Jennifer Mitchell were each inspired by works of visual art to write pieces of music for trumpet and organ that sonically reflect their visual experiences. The main purpose of this document is to explore the unique "musical translation" the composers made of each respective work of visual art. In addition to providing valuable commentary and advice for informed performance, this document offers a complete formal analysis of each work.

Comparative Audiation Difficulty Of Tonal, Rhythm, And Melodic Patterns Among Grade 4 Students, Alan Danahy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the audiation difficulty of melodic patterns. The specific research problems of this study were to: (a) examine the relationships between the audiation difficulty of melodic patterns compared to the audiation difficulty of their embedded tonal patterns and embedded rhythm patterns, (b) determine if tonal pattern difficulty and/or rhythm pattern difficulty may be used to predict melodic pattern difficulty, (c) examine the mean differences between the audiation difficulty of melodic patterns compared to the audiation difficulty of their embedded tonal patterns and embedded rhythm patterns, and (d) examine the mean differences between the …

Feminism And The New Woman In The Gilbert & Sullivan Operas, Heather Dawn Zurcher

Theses and Dissertations

The operas by playwright W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan have been considered some of the most popular and successful pieces of musical theatre in the English language. While their joint creative output neared perfection, Gilbert and Sullivan's working relationship was fraught with conflict. The two men's opposing personalities led them to favor disparate styles and work towards different goals. However, the ability to balance contrasting tones, such as sarcasm and sympathy, resulted in their overwhelming success. I analyze this "winning formula" by looking at the influence of feminism, especially the "New Woman" literary movement, on the works of …

Schumann's Op. 25: Finding The Narrative Within, Renee Danielle Gaarder

Theses and Dissertations

Many of the song cycles written by Schumann have been studied over the years and it is well known that his most prolific time of song production was the year 1840. Myrthen, Op. 25, has been studied less than some of his other cycles because it calls into question the modern view of the song cycle and for this reason is difficult to classify. What is most difficult about the classification of Op. 25 is that there is no immediately apparent narrative. In addition, the musical relationships which exist are usually considered to be of little consequence. What scholars …

Examining Middle School String Students' Sight Reading Processes, Natalie J. Deen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to document, analyze the strategies and techniques being used, and explore the feelings and perceptions often sixth-grade string students while individually sight-reading over the course of 11 weeks. The students were presented with a five lesson unit on sight-reading that focused on different musical elements and presented the students with strategies and techniques to be used as a class and during individual tests. Each student took the Watkins-Famum Performance Test, form A as a pretest and posttest to the unit. Between lessons, each student took an individual sight-reading test which reflected the musical element …

Aspects Of Compositional Process In Luciano Berio's Circles, Charles Hamilton Stratford

Theses and Dissertations

Luciano Berio (1925-2003) was one of the most innovative composers of vocal music in the European avant-garde. His composition for female voice, Circles (1960), marks an important stage in his collaboration with his wife, singer Cathy Berberian (1925-1983). Berio was attracted to Berberian's exceptional talents as a performer, and their work together created new avenues of expression for the solo voice, as Berio explored the relationship between music and language. Drawing upon archival documents, this thesis is a study of the materials and methods that make Circles one of Berio's pivotal works for voice. My interpretation of these sources engages …

Examining The Origins Of The Late Baroque Monothematic Fugue:A Study Of Seventeenth-Century Fugue In Italian Violin Music, Clemence Theodora Destribois

Theses and Dissertations

Paul M. Walker points out the importance of three seventeenth-century manuscripts which, according to him, reflect the origins of the late Baroque monothematic fugue. The documents present a new "model" with specific criteria to write monothematic fugues. Walker suggests that the criteria presented in these manuscripts are first found in seventeenth-century Italian violin ensemble fugues. This thesis traces the development of seventeenth-century monothematic fugues and how they compare with the criteria presented in the manuscripts, with a particular emphasis on Italian violin ensemble fugues. The manuscripts indeed present a new "model" to write monothematic fugues as compared to earlier models. …

Integrating Composition In Music Education For Grades 2-5: An Interdisciplinary Study, Natalie Frances Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

Composition is a vital aspect of music and music education. However, it is scarcely taught in elementary music classrooms. Can composition be taught to elementary students and will it be an enjoyable activity for them? Can instructors use compositions as a form of assessment? This research seeks to answer these questions through an original research study. Elementary students in grades 2-5 were taught composition and wrote two songs for the piano. These songs along with survey responses revealed that students are able to write compositions for the piano, that they want to learn more about song writing, and that each …

Die Zauberflöte: A European Singspiel, Zachary Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

Through modern-day globalization, the cultures of the world are shared on a daily basis and are integrated into the lives of nearly every person. This reality seems to go unnoticed by most, but the fact remains that many individuals and their societies have formed a cultural identity from the combination of many foreign influences. Such a multicultural identity can be seen particularly in music. Composers, artists, and performers alike frequently seek to incorporate separate elements of style in their own identity. One of the earliest examples of this tradition is the German Singspiel. Through the synthesis of foreign and native …

Learning From Plot And Characters In Musical Theatre, Lindsay Grant

Theses and Dissertations

Musical theatre, from the 1920s to the present, acts as a conscience for the American people and attempts, through the plot and characters, to convey concepts from which all should learn.

Exploring Low Brass Recording Techniques, Phillip Andrew Broome, Philip Andrew Broome

Theses and Dissertations

The modern day art and science of music recording evolved through a constant process of trial and error. Although many of these techniques are well-documented and commonplace in modern recording studios, most of them are generalized recording techniques used in the popular and classical music industries. Among these techniques, there is an observable lack of recognized standards for the recording of low brass instruments. This project aims to articulate quality techniques for low brass recording through research in early recording techniques and through an experimental study comparing many popular stereophonic microphone techniques. Although testing every low brass instrument would give …

An Analysis Of Selected Trombone Ensemble Music By Dr. Eric Ewazen, Gregory S. Brandt

Theses and Dissertations

Dr. Eric Ewazen is a prolific, and celebrated composer, having written over fifty works for brass, thirty-one of which include trombone. His contribution to trombone repertoire is significant and wide-ranging. Research papers and doctoral dissertations have been written about Dr. Ewazen's instrumental compositions, however none of them have thoroughly explored his homogeneous chamber music for trombone or articulated his unique method of composition. Various people with numerous backgrounds listen to, perform, conduct, and teach the music of Dr. Ewazen. Due to his unique compositional style, it is imperative that one analyzes and reflects on his works to aid understanding. By …

From Bendinelli To Arban: Styles Of Articulation Within Selected Trumpet Method Books, Nate Locke

Theses and Dissertations

The earliest known trumpet method book to be compiled was Tutta L 'arte della Trombetta (The Entire Art of Trumpet-Playing) in 1614 by Cesare Bendinelli. This book proved to be the pioneer for six that followed by: Girolamo Fantini (1638), Johann Ernst Altenberg (1795), Joseph-Gebhardt Kresser (1836), Raniero Cacciamani (1853), Francois Georges Auguste Dauverne (1857), and Jean Baptist Arban (1864). These books alone attest that articulation was a worthy topic of discussion during this 250-year period. The purpose of this paper is to address how articulation developed through the above seven method books as well as consider how articulation is …

The Effects Of Classical Background Music On The Behavior Of Children In The Elementary School Classroom: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Justin Thomas Anders

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research the effects of classical music on the behavior of elementary school children. Based upon data collected from an exhaustive literature review, the researcher asserted that classical music was capable of modifying the mood, emotions and performance of elementary students. Classical music was presented to students in a classroom setting as background music and their resulting behavior patterns were noted and measured. As the data from these studies were analyzed, the researcher asserted that classical music was capable of modifying behavior. This study concluded that both student and class behavior improved as a …

A Systematic Analysis Of Risks To Adolescent Vocal Health, Debra P. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze risks that threaten adolescent vocal health. Qualitative interviews revealed risks associated with vocal over-use, lack of scientific vocal pedagogy, poor tonal ideals, inadequate choral procedures, and vocal difficulties in high school musical theater productions. Anonymous student surveys (N=60) from two rural high schools in West Georgia revealed over-use and lack of knowledge about chest voice singing as risky to adolescent vocal health. Anonymous choral director surveys (N=2) from the same high schools indicated that choral directors may be uncomfortable teaching chest voice production, allowing students to use their chest voice …

Exploration, Language And Application: An Approach To Teaching Beginning Instrumental Jazz Improvisation, Jeremy Todd Pownall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide preservice and inservice teachers with an alternative approach to teaching beginning jazz improvisation to instrumentalists in a classroom setting. It was determined that there exists a need for an accessible (to both teacher and student) method for teaching beginning jazz improvisation to instrumentalists. This is due to the lack of emphasis on jazz improvisation at both the public school and university level, as well as the inclusion of improvisation in both the national and Georgia state standards for music performance. The teaching method presented in this study is based on previous research, …

An Examination Of College Flute Professors' Approaches To Improving Students' Intonation Skills, Kelly Theresa Cato

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine what methods college flute professors use to improve their students intonation skills and to highlight resources to aid future practices on the subject of intonation. The research questions guiding this study were (a) Do college flute professors teach students how to improve intonation skills? (b) What methods do college flute professors use to improve students' intonation skills? (c) What resources do college flute professors use in conjunction with teaching intonation? Research was conducted using a researcher-created online survey that was distributed to college flute professors throughout the United States. Findings suggested a …

The Rescuer In Danger: A Scholarly Performance Edition Of Franz Xaver Süssmayr's Secular Cantata, Der Retter In Gefahr, Mark Nabholz

Theses and Dissertations

The central objective of this document is the production of a scholarly performance edition of Franz Xaver Süssmayr's secular cantata,Der Retter in Gefahr. The editing was accomplished through careful comparison of the manuscript full score, the manuscript orchestral and choral performing materials used in the first performances, and the published piano-vocal score used by choristers in post-premier performances.

Franz Xaver Süssmayr, whose name is today remembered almost exclusively for his completion of Mozart's Requiem, was a popular and respected Viennese composer in his own right. His opera, Der Spiegel von Arkadien (1794), was performed throughout Europe, and was favorably compared …