Music Commons^™

Taking Her At Her Work: Reconsidering The Legacy Of Alma Mahler, Rachel E. Scott

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Alma Mahler (1879–1964) grew up surrounded by artists in late nineteenth-century Vienna. Despite her musical training, demonstrated passion for music, and publication of several Lieder, Mahler’s identity as a composer has remained overshadowed by narratives surrounding her personal life and those of her husbands and lovers, not to mention the artistic work of her husbands and lovers. Increasingly, however, interest in Alma Mahler as a composer has been nurtured through creative engagement with that legacy, and frequently by women authors and artists. This dissertation explores the existing literature written by and related to Alma Mahler and identifies some approaches for …

Understanding German-Turkish Identity In The Context Of Deutschrap, Alena Tien Vu

Honors Theses

Since its emergence in the 1980s, Deutschrap has been used by German-Turkish rap artists as a medium to reflect their views and identity. What is understood as the German-Turkish identity has been put up for debate as to whether it can be labeled as assimilated, integrated or something else entirely. By doing a close reading and analysis of three songs each from German-Turkish rap artists Alpa Gun, Eko Fresh and Mert, it is found that these three artists can be categorized as Ayhan Kaya’s hybrid-, boundaries-, and flows- transmigrant identity, respectively. This also shows that the German-Turkish identity is not …

Synthesizer Parameter Approximation By Deep Learning, Daniel Faronbi, Alisa Gilmore

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Synthesizers have been an essential tool for composers of any style of music including computer generated sound. They allow for an expansion in timbral variety to the orchestration of a piece of music or sound scape. Sound designers are trained to be able to recreate a timbre in their head using a synthesizer. This works well for simple sounds but becomes more difficult as the number of parameters required to produce a specific timbre increase. The goal of this research project is to formulate a method for synthesizers to approximate a timbre given an input audio sample using deep learning. …

Making Culture-Centered Music Therapists: Resources For Working With Latinx Young Adults, Michaela A. Miller

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the lack of music therapy literature related to this topic and identifies considerations music therapists should take when working with Latinx communities. I illustrate how social justice and culture-centeredness can be integrated into music therapy practice with the identified communities. I use interviews collected from Latinx university students to learn about the diverse musical preferences and cultures that different members of Latinx communities hold. I describe necessary changes in the American Music Therapy Association’s Competencies for Music Therapists to equip music therapy students to better work with diverse populations. Finally, I provide examples of music experiences and …

What Have Mississippi Band Directors Found Successful When Teaching The Horn?: A Qualitative Survey, Madeleine Case

Honors Theses

This study surveyed band directors in the state of Mississippi, asking them what methods they use to teach the horn. The purpose of this research was to find some solid methods and concepts that participants found successful in their horn teaching, as well as open the discussion on what makes horn teaching unique to that of other instruments. Participants were selected for an online survey on two criteria: they had to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Music or Music Education, and they had to have at least one year of teaching experience in Mississippi.

After participants were surveyed, …

Law Library Blog (May 2021): Legal Beagle's Blog Archive, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Law Library Newsletters/Blog

No abstract provided.

The Prevalence Of Hip Hop Music In Music Therapy Education & Practice, Dannyele C. Crawford

Theses & Dissertations

Despite the popularity and significance that hip hop music holds in our society today, there is a grave absence of hip hop music in music therapy academia and practice. This study explores the prevalence of hip hop music in music therapy education and practice. Two populations, current students and new clinicians, were surveyed for this study to ascertain the prevalence of hip hop music both in current music therapy practice and in the current music therapy education system. This study involved the collection of data surrounding the participants’ experience with hip hop music prior to their studies, in their music …

Deconstructing The Clinician: An Auto-Ethnographic Study, Nicole Moy, Natalia Alvarez-Figueroa

Theses & Dissertations

There is little research focused on uncovering bias in the music therapist. This study utilized autoethnography and was guided by a participatory action research (PAR) lens to explore a music therapist’s experience of and relation to internalized bias and interlocking systems of oppression, such as white supremacy, sexism and ableism. Autoethnography refers to a combination of autobiographical and ethnographic methods. PAR focuses on collective meaning making, redistributing harmful power dynamics, and societal change with a liberatory aim. While I (Nicole) was the primary participant and investigator in the research, Natalia was invited to the study as a co-investigator and participant. …

The Influences Of Language Barriers In Music Therapy, Kohei Mori

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to illuminate non-native English-speaking music therapists’ trends and attitudes toward a language barrier. For the purpose of this research, the phrase “language barrier” is used as a reference for music therapists who conduct music therapy sessions in a language that is not their native language. Thirteen non-native English-speaking music therapists completed a 30-question web-based survey. The survey addressed the following topics: demographics, the experience of providing music therapy in a second language, the experience of receiving music therapy training in a second language, and therapeutic interventions with the clients. Descriptive statistics were collected. Three …

The Experience Of Music Therapists In Delivering Telehealth During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nicole Gelfand

Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the experience of the music therapist in delivering music therapy via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. In semi-structured interviews, three music therapists explored their transition from in-person to telehealth clinical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and organized into group themes and individual themes. Group themes included 1) role of therapist changing 2) technology considerations in the home office 3) career reflection and future practice. Individual themes included 1) adapting to change, 2) learning curve of telehealth and burnout, 3) work-life boundaries and authentic therapeutic presence. Participants experienced an expansion …

An Exploration Of Music Therapists' Experience Of Simultaneous Trauma During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Nadia Mary Flutie

Theses & Dissertations

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists continued to provide services to those in need. Literature on the COVID-19 pandemic explores themes of loss, grief, lack of structure, and loss of normalcy. However, there is a need for further research in this area of study. Specifically, there is a need to investigate the phenomenon of simultaneous trauma, as both the therapists and their clients have experienced traumatic effects of this pandemic. This qualitative study explored two music therapists’ lived experience of simultaneous trauma during the COVID-19 outbreak through virtual semi-structured interviews focusing on several aspects of their …

The Development Of Therapeutic Alliance In Long-Term And Short-Term Music Therapy Treatment, Brooke Morris

Theses & Dissertations

Therapeutic alliance is an important aspect of helping professions however, despite research into this phenomenon in closely related fields, it has yet to be explored in music therapy. While research in related fields has explored alliance development in therapy, it has yet to question whether or not treatment length has an impact on the development or strength of therapeutic alliance. This led to the following question: Does time matter in therapeutic alliance development in music therapy? Time is an important and undeniable aspect of music. Being that time exists in music, and music is a factor unique to music therapy, …

Emma Riggs, Soprano, Department Of Music, University Of Richmond

Music Department Concert Programs

No abstract provided.

Formula, Moment, And Ips In Stockhausen's Evas Erstgeburt., Jonathon Pan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This analysis covers the form in Stockhausen’s Evas Erstgeburt, the first act from his Monday opera, Montag aus Licht. It discusses the presence of Stockhausen’s musical formula within this act and observes that his formula is integrated at several structural levels. This formula is a passage of music that determines the pitches, rhythms, and structure of all the music of Stockhausen’s Licht cycle. This formula is a three-voice schema, and these three voices are named Michael, Eve, and Lucifer. While the formula creates landmarks in the music, which indicate towards form, a formula analysis is limited in describing the direction …

Jonathan Vickers Graduate Recital, Arkansas State University Department Of Music

Performance Programs

No abstract provided.

Some Examples Of Twentieth Century Russian Violin Playing On The Example Of Selected Performances By David Oistrakh, Olga Kossovich

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Spectroknot For Orchestra, Paul Randall Schell

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The High School Choral Classroom As A Platform For Cross-Cultural Education: A Content Evaluation Of The 2020 Tnmea Satb All-State Repertoire., Michael Ian Colavita

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there is a push toward culturally responsive music education in response to a rapidly changing student demographic. However, teaching music from unfamiliar traditions presents a unique set of challenges for the music educator. The 2020 Tennessee SATB All-State repertoire provides one example of music selected with the goal of teaching a wide array of cultural traditions. This thesis analyzes these seven pieces from a musical and pedagogical perspective to demonstrate this collection’s utility for culturally responsive music education. Evaluation of the pieces demonstrated that while most of these works come from distinct cultural traditions, few present …

A Study On The Perception And Influence Of Whiteness In White Music Therapists, Maria Abramovich

Theses & Dissertations

Whiteness pervades all aspects of western culture. As a western therapeutic modality, music therapy practice as well as its research and pedagogy are entrenched in Whiteness. While music therapy researchers have explored Whiteness, few studies center and explicitly study Whiteness in music therapy. This inquiry captures Whiteness as it is perceived and experienced by White music therapists. Two board-certified music therapists were interviewed, and interpretative phenomenological analysis was utilized to analyze the transcribed interviews and written responses of the participants. A total of eight themes and 12 subthemes were identified in the data. The results demonstrated that Whiteness suffused the …

Puppets In Music Therapy: A Qualitative Study, Kaitlyn Lewis

Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the experience of music therapists when implementing puppets in their clinical work. The research questions guiding this inquiry were as follows: 1) What is the experience of the music therapist when using puppets in music therapy? 2) How does the use of puppetry in music therapy influence the clinical work of the music therapist? and 3) How does the use of puppetry in music therapy influence the therapeutic process of the client (as perceived by the music therapist?) Four music therapists participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their experience and insight in using puppets with their clients. After …

Captain And Stoker: Exploring Tandem Performance Through New Instrument Design And Implementation, Matthew Spady

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper examines historical examples of two-player, or tandem, instruments and electroacoustic sound manipulation practices beginning in the nineteenth century, addresses design theory and construction principles for modern electroacoustic performance instruments, and investigates practice for such instruments. The paper begins with an exploration of Jean-Baptiste Vuillame’s octobasse, Maurice Martenot’s ondes martenot (including its distinct sound diffusion apparatuses), and Nicolas Collins’ backward electric Hawaiian guitar as progenitors of new, tandem instruments that require collaboration to produce a single, sounding result. The paper poses that while some of the devices mentioned above hold potential as tandem performance instruments, they were not designed …

Sound Healing, Devina L. Pulido

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Most people would imply that music is used for solely entertainment, artistic expression, celebration, ceremony, or communication. Whether we are musically inclined or not, music is the one thing that genuinely connects humans from all cultures and corners of the earth. Another application of music is sound healing, a therapeutic practice that utilizes different signals and vibrations to improve the physical and emotional health of individuals, groups, and cultures. This can entail listening to various musical experiences (such as a concert), singing along to a favorite song or chant, dancing to the beats of other music, meditating, or playing an …

The Correlation Between Traditional And Modern Day Performance Poetry: Where Music And Poetry Collide, Jaya Hodges

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

"Music and poetry have similar roots that have made them both into what they are today. From chants to church hymns, they both have kept the Black community intact during times of sorrow and grief. The words that ride along the rhythm and structure of any song brings an unforgettable emotion out of these art forms. This paper will discuss how they have merged themselves together along with the influences they have made within Jame Weldon's "Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing" and Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)".

Musical Perspective: An Analysis Of How Musicals Reflect Cultural Discourse, Amosi Morgan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In this paper, I will be analyzing the role musical theatre productions play in reflecting cultural discourse. I will also discuss the impact musicals have on societal discussions regarding topics like race, capitalism, and social justice. The way I seek to do this is by first explaining the origin of musicals as musical comedies. I will also discuss other musical innovations such as the opera that influenced the shift. I will discuss the rise of musical dramas as musicals started incorporating serious themes. The emotional impact of musicals and their use of pathos will be analyzed. I will research the …

Pastoralism, Loss, And Nostalgia: Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending As An Elegy For Environmental Disruption, Kirsten Barker

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The idea that music embodies meaning is largely accepted and uncontroversial. However, the way in which this relationship is articulated is complicated and contributes to music’s ability to project different meanings, especially according to time and place. Such is the case with the British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’s romance for violin and orchestra, The Lark Ascending (1920). This work contains both musical and extra musical traits that can be interpreted as pastoral and nostalgic. Understanding how these meanings interact through time provides the opportunity for reinterpretation of the work in the present through an environmentally-oriented framework. Previous research regarding The …

The Use Of Social Media For Marketing By Independent Musicians, Jessica E. Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many musicians have social media presences, but not many know how to begin or how to market their music. Instead, artists find themselves searching for other forms to help them market their music. This leads them to overspend on expensive services in hopes that they can get their names more known. Musicians may feel discouraged when they don’t see the results they hope for, especially online and with other competitors. Because of this, musicians feel less confident in their success in the music industry. There is an imbalance between what the musician wants to achieve and what they need. …

The Music Making Family: A Music Class For All Ages, Jordan Lee Slater

Masters Theses

Whereas music both unlocks and fuels devotion as well as strengthens mental faculties, whereas teamwork and shared experiences deepen familial bonds, whereas the Bible is the root of all knowledge and wisdom, the need for The Music Making Family has arisen. Colossians 3:16 states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide teachers, whether in private school, public school, a religious entity, in a standalone studio, instructional material for …

Teaching Music To Special Needs Students Using Multiple Intelligence Theory, Megan Lawrimore Bolt

Masters Theses

Students who fall under the label of “special needs” or “exceptional learners” are often forgotten when it comes to music class. Unfortunately, in many schools they either do not attend music classes at all or they only attend with other students who are also considered special needs students. These students deserve the right to be in an inclusive music class with their peers who are not special needs students. Students of all abilities should receive the same opportunities to learn music together. One question that will be addressed is whether music teachers in South Carolina are making their classrooms inclusive …

Teaching Expression And Communication Through Music And Collaborative Arts, Goeun Kim

Masters Theses

Music and art are vehicles for creative expression that people have practiced throughout history to express and communicate their thoughts, emotions, feelings, and experiences. Art is the purest and most unique form of self-expression, but today’s perception of art is usually accessible for people who are naturally gifted or specialize in a particular art form. Children have the potential to understand, learn, and enjoy music if given a chance to explore creative expression. Especially during pre-adolescence or adolescence, many young children find it difficult to express themselves outwardly because they are concerned about peer relations and people’s expectations. While an …

Teach Your Choir To Read Music, Bryan Cody Rante

Masters Theses

Teaching chorus presents many challenges to directors and one of the main challenges that directors face is teaching their students how to read music. Many students rely on rote teaching or aural repetition to learn music, and this can prevent students from becoming proficient musicians. Bryan Rante researched different ways to assess the choral group and simultaneously teach them how to read music proficiently. The curriculum used for this research was Andy Beck’s Sing at First Sight: Foundations in Choral Singing Level 1 & 2 to help students learn how to sight-sing and become confident in reading music. The curriculum …