Music Commons^™

Honor Their World: Advocacy In The Work Of Frank Abrahams, Ryan John

Visions of Research in Music Education

Frank Abrahams’s career in music education has been marked by a theme of advocacy for others. This article examines three areas of advocacy apparent in his work and publications: advocacy for students, advocacy for teachers, and advocacy for people historically marginalized in American society. Through books, articles, research, book chapters, music series, and his actions, Frank Abrahams has advocated for stakeholders in education and in society through music education for decades in his roles as a teacher, administrator, and author.

On Becoming Pedagogical: Encounters, Challenges And Freirean Criticalities In The Key Of F, Patrick Schmidt

Visions of Research in Music Education

What does it mean to be a pedagogue? To become part and contributor to pedagogical processes? In this article I look back at the work Frank Abrahams developed around the legacy of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and its efforts fomenting conditions for critical pedagogies to flourish. Following Freire’s interest in connecting reality and theory, I construct a narrative from the word (Freire’s, Abrahams’ and mine) onto the world, highlighting in particular, the impact conceptual framing can have on programmatic development. As I see it, and experienced first-hand, the focus and nature of Abrahams’ work has always been pedagogical, highly conscious …

Take Six, Their Music, And The Impact On Music Education, Roberto L. Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the inclusion of popular music and music ensembles in music education programs continues to gain momentum internationally, it appears that a need exists for music educators to develop a more concrete understanding of how somebody might construct a popular music education curriculum. And presented in a way that supports the shared vision of a democratic, inclusive, and rigorous music education. Although there is a rich tradition of choral singing and many fantastic works to share with students, music educators who studied Accapella changed our perspectives. They began to incorporate popular music with students because music educators found that it …

A Geographical Analysis Of Canadian Students Taking Independent Music Lessons: The Rural Experience, Ross M. Purves, Rena Upitis

The Rural Educator

The engagement of students taking private music lessons is affected by a range of factors, one of which is the geographic location of the student’s family. This is a geographical analysis of 6,500 questionnaire responses completed by Canadian music teachers, students, and parents, including 819 responses (12.6%) from participants living in ‘rural’ areas, as defined by Statistics Canada. Participants’ home locations were categorized on a five-point ordinal scale from ‘rural’ to ‘very large urban population center’, data-matched with further geospatial data relating to deprivation and road distances, and assessed for strength and direction of association with questionnaire items. Results revealed …

Effect Of Vertical Alignment On Elementary, Middle, And High School Music Programs, Tamekia Denise Holliday

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the effects of vertical alignment on elementary, middle, and high school music programs. Thirty-five (n = 35) elementary, middle, and secondary music educators participated in the study. Of the 35 participants, 41% (n = 15) were high school music educators, 25% (n = 9) were middle school music educators, 27% (n = 10) were middle and high school music, and 2% (n = 1) taught elementary, middle, and high school. Analysis of survey data revealed significant relationships related to vertical alignment. The most significant relationship was between vertical alignment and retention (r = .643, p < .01), suggesting that student retention increases as vertical alignment increases. As well, results indicated that as vertical alignment decreases, the number of students “who wish to continue in music classes but cannot” increase (r = -.530, p < .01). Analysis of open-ended survey questions revealed valuable themes related to consistent band participation, music teacher expectations, and the effect of vertical alignment on music programs. Applying the results of this study may improve understanding of the effects of vertical alignment and enhance effective teaching and learning in music.

Do The National Core Arts Standards (Ncas) Make A Difference In Music Education?, Jordan Mikaela Dues

Masters Theses

Fine arts advocates have pushed for arts to remain a foundation of education for decades Arguments have been made and published that participating in music courses increased scores in other subjects. A change occurred in the realm of music education when assessment-based learning and standardized curricula were introduced. The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) was assembled to revise standards for the arts and create a way to assess them. The NCCAS presented the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) in 2014 which led to its adoption in most states. There are many schools, however, that do not adhere to …

Finnish Classroom Teacher Students' Experiences Of An Online Music Course During The Covid Pandemic, Katri-Helena Rautiainen, Mikko Vesisenaho

Visions of Research in Music Education

When studying music, skills are often practised with a teacher, face-to-face, in a classroom. What are the experiences of classroom teacher trainees when music teaching becomes asynchronous, i.e., an individually completed online course? This question, among other things, was explored at a Finnish University's Teacher Education Department in autumn 2020, resulting in the production of a two-credit online music course on the Moodle learning environment. It was implemented for the first time during the summer term in 2021. The students’ experiences with the functionality of the e-learning module were analysed through data-driven content analysis. The study represents an intensive case …

The Great Generalization: Organizational Adaptation Strategies As Entrepreneurship In Higher Music Education, Jacob Bruce Hertzog

Music Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study sought to measure how higher music education has evolved in response to the music industry’s digital revolution. I utilized a framework of organizational adaptation theory to synthesize five distinct organizational adaptation strategies: decentralization, generalization, specialization, formalization, and inaction. Music leaders were surveyed (n = 100) to assess adaptations across ten common domains in higher education. Higher music education was found to have undergone a great generalization through the expansion of activities in nearly every domain. Consistent with elements of organizational adaptation theory, and like individual musicians, higher music education has been entrepreneurial in response to the digital revolution.

Early Career Music Teachers And Trauma: A Mixed Methods Study, Tiffany N. Sitton

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Existing research rarely directly addresses individual trauma experiences of early career music teachers, despite copious research on adjacent areas such as stress and burnout. Early career music teachers have seldom had the opportunity to share stories of their trauma in the literature. Following an explanatory-sequential mixed method (Creswell, 2015), the researcher surveyed 250 music educators about their self-reported trauma experiences and then interviewed six of those participants to gain explanation of the survey data and to further illuminate their stories. Participants evaluated their own experiences using the definition of individual trauma from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration …

What Is A Folk Song? An Exploration Through Collection, Gregory S. Conway

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Over decades of work, scholars have created varying definitions of folk songs. While many have developed clear definitions (Karpeles, 1973; Lornell, 1993; Seeger, 1948; Texas Folklore Society, n.d.), others have concluded that no true definition exists (Brumfield, 1998; Nettl 2011). This lack of clarity in what a folk song is invites an exploration into how we define this genre. The purpose of this multiple case study was two-fold. First, I collected songs sung by families within a rural school community and examined them by using interview data to identify the characteristics of folk music in this context. Second, I shared …

An Investigation Of The Texas All-State Process, Texas Honor Orchestra Process With Regard To Title I And Students In Urban School Districts From 2010-2020, And The Effect On The Social Emotional Learning Of These Students, Lacy Mccoy

Music Theses - Archive

The Texas Music Educators Association annually recognizes the outstanding student musicians and selected school ensembles in the state through the All-State and Honor Orchestra processes. Students selected for the All-State Orchestras are from high schools from around the state. Ensembles chosen to be one of the Honor Orchestras come from both junior high and high schools. Selection for these ensembles comes after months of hard work on the part of both students and teachers, as well as a rigorous selection process. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the equity of these processes as they pertain to Title I …

Remedial Rhythm Reading: A Semester-Long Project In Sixth Grade Band, Hannah Fisher

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted student outcomes in all disciplines, but especially in the performing arts. As I began clinical teaching, I found my sixth-grade band students, particularly the students not involved in choir (my “small band”), lacked the music literacy and fluency expected for second-year band students. I designed a one semester rhythm-reading unit to address this issue. The overall objective for the unit follows:

“Students will be able to read, write, perform, and compose rhythms containing whole notes, half notes, dotted-half notes, dotted-quarter notes, quarter notes, paired eighth notes, single eighth notes, paired sixteenth notes, and corresponding rests …

Developing Right-Hand Finger Flexibility In Young Violinists: Teaching Colle, Martele, Spiccato, And Sautille Through The Suzuki Literature, Monica Yardley Thiriot

Masters Theses

Much is written in violin method books about developing pitch, rhythm, and posture for young violinists. It is difficult to find examples of when to teach right-hand flexibility with bow techniques such as collé, martelé, spiccato, and sautillé. Although many violin teachers throughout the country use Suzuki literature to instruct their students, there are few written instructions concerning these advanced bow techniques in the literature. Instead, Shinichi Suzuki focused his studies on philosophy and the importance of a positive teaching environment, creating a beautiful tone by playing from the heart, ear training, and helping the youngest violin students reach their …

Teachers' And Students' Perceptions Of Goal Orientation Theory In Secondary Instrumental Music Classrooms: A Case Study, Carlye Mcgregor

LSU Master's Theses

Goal orientation theory (Ames, 1992; Blumenfeld, 1992) is a cognitive theory that identifies how goals affect motivation in students. The benefits of mastery goal orientation — aspects of instruction which support the connection between effort and achievement — on student motivation and participation have been well-documented. Researchers (Ames & Archer, 1988; Patrick, et al., 2001) found students can pick up on goal cues and identify traits of each theory apparent in their classroom. Teachers communicate their values through goal structures, and student motivation can be improved by consistent goal structures, or negatively affected by misaligned goal structures (Ames & Archer, …

An Exploration Of How School Leaders Make Decisions About Music Programs In Suburban Schools, Xavier Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to investigate the decision-making processes involved with deciding the funding and framing of music programs in three suburban school districts in the New York metropolitan area. School leaders were interviewed to understand the factors associated with the decision-making process. The findings helped to understand educational leaders’ perceptions, how programs changed over time, and the different actions that were taken. Key educators and school leaders from three school districts in the suburban New York Metropolitan area were interviewed. The participants from each school district included a district school leader, a building school leader, a school finance leader, …

Recruitment And Retention In The Choral Classroom, Brianna Riley

Graduate Research Showcase

One of the distinguishing elements of a successful, flourishing music program is the number of students enrolled in a performing ensemble. This literature review examines sources that provide answers to a simple question: How can teachers use strategies to improve recruitment and retention in a music program? Music teachers have always worked to improve enrollment and retention of students in their classes, but as we move forward in a world affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, traditional ways of recruiting may not always be successful. Considerations of current trends include lack of foundational relationships between programs and adherence to traditional, unsuccessful …

Using Song To Teach Sight Words, Taylor Hagood Guin

Graduate Research Showcase

This research is about how a group of seven kindergarten classes used a short and straightforward song to recognize the following six common kindergarten sight words: on, off, up, us, no, & go. As a current music educator and former middle grades English teacher, I wanted to create an opportunity to establish cross-curricular connections in my music classroom. For this specific experiment, seven different classes, including General Education, Self-Contained Special Education, and English Language Learning classes, were selected. They were taught these six sight word songs through the “Sight Word Song.” I selected the sight words specifically because the students …

Empowering Silenced Voices: Implementing Critical Pedagogy To Move Toward Decolonizing Music Education, Alexis Adams

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Throughout this thesis, I will delineate the historical and current issue of Eurocentrism and racism being perpetuated in K-12 music education and music teacher education programs. I will argue that music teacher education programs need to be decolonized and radically transformed so that music classrooms and curricula are anti-racist and counterhegemonic. Through utilizing theoretical frameworks, a historical review, and a literature review, I will further contextualize this problem. Lastly, I will propose a two-pronged intervention to address this over-arching issue: an undergraduate course entitled Critical Pedagogy in Music Education and a radically transformative professional development series for current music educators.

The Development And Validation Of The Preservice Music Teacher Self-Efficacy Survey, Christen Dillon

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Undergraduate programs to prepare future music teachers at colleges and universities across the United States require skill development in instrumental, choral, and general music (NASM, 2015). These preparation programs require students to matriculate through methods courses (e.g., instrumental methods) to learn pedagogical and content skills necessary to be considered competent music teachers. Although content knowledge and teaching skills could be influencing factors on preservice teachers’ future classroom effectiveness, personal beliefs of individual preservice teachers might also influence teacher effectiveness (Bandura, 1997; Pajares, 1996). One such belief, teacher self-efficacy, or teachers’ self-referent judgements of capability (Zee, 2016), has been shown to …

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 …

Analysis Of Texas Collegiate Mariachi Ensembles: Standard Repertoire And Genres, Angela Michelle Morgan-Thornton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A standard prescribed music list exists for band, orchestra, and choral music ensembles in Texas K-12 music education. Presently, no prescribed music list exists for mariachi ensembles or degree plans in Texas at the collegiate level. This study used explanatory sequential mixed methods to examine the differences in seven Texas collegiate mariachi programs’ standard teaching and performance repertoire. The study explored the commonalities and differences in repertoire and balance of mariachi genres in instruction. The repertoire of diverse genres reflects influences associated with European, Caribbean, and Indigenous cultures and musical forms. Related issues of this study included music literacy, college …

Combining National And State Music Standards To Create A Secondary Choral Curriculum For York County School Division, Leah Parr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite recent revisions of the National Music Standards and the Virginia Music Standards of Learning, there have not been efforts to determine how their combination could create a localized music curriculum. Combining the national and state music standards allows the music educator to employ current music education practices and ensure students graduate with a standard set of musical skills and abilities. This study examined how secondary choral directors can combine these standards to create an effective and sequential curriculum for secondary choral directors in York County School Division (YCSD). A qualitative, historical research approach identified the history of standards-based curriculum …

Empathy In And Through Music Education: Extending Artistic Citizenship, Amanda Ellerbe

Visions of Research in Music Education

Bowman, Elliott, and Silverman's concept of artistic citizenship helps characterize how music education accomplishes social change. However, while Elliott et al. regard artistic citizenship as a means of exercising music in political ways, further investigation of how musical activities prepare students to consider effecting social change might more comprehensively describe artistic citizenship as a socio-musical endeavor. In light of the goals of social justice-oriented programming, the relationship between citizenship and artistic practice, one might think not only of music in the service of exercising citizenship in the greater community but also as a means of developing citizenship skills in the …

Ukulele In Music Class: Teachers’ Perspectives, Grace Doebler

Visions of Research in Music Education

The use of the ukulele in classrooms and communities is growing, and, as a result, so is meaningful musical engagement from people of all ages. In this collective case study, I described the perspectives of three different music teachers and discussed how they implement the ukulele in diverse settings. Research questions were (a) what factors influence participants while creating ukulele groups or lessons, (b) how do participants use ukuleles in their classrooms, (c) what are participants' perceptions of the ukulele's value, and (d) what are participants' perceptions of students' interest in learning the ukulele? Participants were three music teachers located …

A Middle School Choral Methodology And Curriculum Pairing, Eunice Nogueras-Negron

Masters Theses

Studies show that middle school choral education is beneficial to its participants, yet there is a lack of resources such as curriculums or methodologies to better equip students and teachers. This thesis will explore the possibility of the future development of a middle school choral music methodology that follows similar structures to that of widely accepted music methodologies such as Orff Schulwerk, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and Kodaly Concepts. This research is intended to aid middle school choral music educators who are seeking to improve the quality and intentionality of their instruction.

Motivational Factors Affecting Recruitment And Retention In The Clever Band Program, Haley Morgan Adams

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Student participation in band has many educational, social, and life benefits for students; however, high attrition rates reflect that many students are not motivated to join and continue in band. This study surveyed sixth, eighth, and tenth grade students in the Clever R-V School District to examine the factors that the students self-identify when deciding to enroll in and persist with band in school. The survey data were analyzed to identify key factors that affect students’ recruitment and retention in school band. Students answered forty multiple choice questions that addressed areas of motivation including parental support, teacher-student relationship, intrinsic motivation, …

Teaching Biblical Development In Early Childhood Education Through Praxial Music, Cheryl Lynn Pearson

Masters Theses

Music has been deemed important since biblical times for both worship and music education and has made its mark in history from ancient philosophers to modern educators. Its value is determined according to individual experiences, be they aesthetic or praxial, for the purposes of entertainment, education, or worship. Music offers a connection to God granting a deepened sense of purpose in fulfillment of our call to worship. Music is valued because it leads to the development of ethical values through active participation and reflection. Music education and spiritual development are mutually beneficial as they develop students toward a greater spiritual …

Student Engagement In Higher Music Education With Online Learning Components: A Mixed Methods Case Study, Xinwei Liu

Glenn Korff School of Music: Dissertations, Theses, Student Creative Work, and Performances

Higher education underwent an unprecedented transformation from conventional face-to-face education to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2020-2021 academic year, most universities throughout the U.S. had moved educational programs online, so professors and instructors, with and without previous remote learning experience, were suddenly expected to shift to synchronous or asynchronous classroom settings. Facilitated through Learning Management Systems (LMS), many teaching and learning practices took place in web-based environments. Some schools allowed a combination of in-person or hybrid classes by complying with evolving COVID-19 protocols (e.g., use of hand sanitizer, social distancing, facial coverings). These novel implementations raised …

Preliminary Exploration Of Pitch Discrimination, Temporal Sequencing, And Prosodic Awareness Skills Of Children Who Participate In Different School-Based Music Curricula, Ashley G. Flagge, Mary Ellen Neeley, Tara M. Davis, Victoria Henbest

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Musical training has been shown to have a positive influence on a variety of skills, including auditory-based tasks and nonmusical cognitive and executive functioning tasks; however, because previous investigations have yielded mixed results regarding the relationship between musical training and these skills, the purpose of this study was to examine and compare the auditory processing skills of children who receive focused, daily musical training with those with more limited, generalized musical training. Sixteen typically developing children (second–fourth grade) from two different schools receiving different music curricula were assessed on measures of pitch discrimination, temporal sequencing, and prosodic awareness. The results …