Music Commons^™

Song Text And Song Structure: With An Emphasis On Oral/Aural Tradition, Hannah Joy Petrick

Masters Theses

This study highlights the different aspects of song texts and song structures while also establishing the impacts of an oral/aural tradition. Emphasis was placed on the relationship between linguistics and music, and how one may alter the teaching/learning process of new song materials for students (especially young adolescents). Song texts and song structures were also looked at in relation to culture, and how culture is affected by oral/aural tradition. Specifically, the outcomes of students learning song texts in their native language/tongue versus songs of a different culture was explored. The differences and commonalities of learning music in various styles were …

Living The Dream- A Rhetorical Analysis Into The Morgan Wallen Racial Slur Scandal Through William Benoit’S Image Reconstruction Theory, Dylan Joseph Singletary

Masters Theses

Public figures often find themselves in controversies that result in a damaged image. In the field of communication image repair is conducted as a form of crisis communication. William Benoit’s image repair theory views image repair through specific strategies which are mortification, corrective action, denial, evasion of responsibility, and reducing offensiveness. Benoit’s image repair strategies can be found through country music star Morgan Wallen’s rhetoric in his attempts at image repair through the four artifacts. Results of the rhetorical analysis of the artifacts show that image repair strategies work better for certain situations. Benoit’s image theory is supported by Wallen’s …

Utilizing Popular Video Game Music To Teach Basic Rhythms To Beginning Band Students, Erin S. Focht

Masters Theses

Video games have become an increasingly popular form of entertainment and a method of relaxation for all ages which have recently been incorporated into academic subjects such as social studies and science. In addition, music educators are often encouraged to re-examine their teaching strategies to incorporate technology into the music curriculum. Music applications, internet games, and other music programs have been utilized in the general music classroom to assist with note learning and rhythms. However, research investigating the implementation of video game soundtracks in music ensemble classes has not been thoroughly addressed. Questions remain whether student engagement is increased as …

Classical And Musical Theater Vocal Pedagogy For Female Collegiate Singers: An Observation And Study, Christina Kayleen Hoss

Masters Theses

The study of vocal pedagogy in the 21st century has brought much debate among vocal pedagogues, vocal instructors, and singers. The increase in musical genres and commercial music/musical theater programs at the collegiate level has created a new need: voice instructors who can teach outside the classical aesthetic. This study aims to research how collegiate voice professors instruct female collegiate voice students singing both classical and musical theater styles. Focusing specifically on breath management and registration, the study intends to open the discussion on the need for consistent pedagogical techniques for cross-genre teaching. Due to different pedagogical beliefs taught among …

In Response To Civil Unrest: An Analysis Of Compositional Techniques As Used By Contemporary Composers For Flute, Stephanie Marie Strait

Masters Theses

The purpose of this applied research study was to identify a selection of works for flute that were composed in response to circumstances of civil unrest to discover how the composers utilized the flute as a medium for expression, and to study the compositional techniques used to communicate with the performer. These techniques were explored and demonstrated in a lecture recital. Gaining insight and understanding of the compositional process as it relates to the composers’ experiences aids the performer in offering a convincing and informed rendering of these pieces. It also contributes to the body of literature regarding composition methodology, …

The Effects Of Growth Mindset Strategies On The Rhythmic Notation Comprehension And Personal Musical Self-Efficacy Perceptions Of High School Instrumentalists, Frederick Conrad Krieger

Masters Theses

Despite the depth of research in general education and music education teaching methods as well as an implied overlap in these concepts, there is little research directly linking methodology and strategies across these content areas. More specifically, the benefit and implementation of growth-mindset instruction is considered best practice in the general education classroom but is rarely discussed in the context of the performing ensemble. Consistency in educational methods between content areas is critical because it unifies each into a single education process and promotes lifelong learning that will extend into other areas and beyond the classroom. This study will explore …

The Music Of Democratic Kampuchea: Revolution Songs As Public Pedagogy, Anissa Jade Lesh

Masters Theses

The Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK) which ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 utilized a variety of methods to ensure control over the country and its people. Among these methods were the creation and dissemination of revolutionary songs which extolled the virtues of the CPK, instilled fear, and provided explicit instructions on how to serve the Ângka (the organization). While scholars unanimously recognize the use of music as public pedagogy during the regime, there are very few works which explore the songs, their lyrics, or how the music itself reflected their intended sociopolitical purpose. Through the transcription, translation, and analysis …

Sel And Community Engagement Strategies For The Recruitment And Retention Of Suburban Middle School Band Students, Gina Marie Vingara

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has not yet found a correlation between community engagement and social-emotional learning (SEL) in a manner that benefits the recruitment and retention of suburban middle school band students. Teachers who create community engagement initiatives can boost the number of student recruits as the program becomes more widely recognized as a valuable asset of the school. This explanatory sequential mixed methods design study examined strategies regarding community engagement and SEL for recruiting and retaining middle school instrumental music education students. Perspectives on community engagement and SEL benefiting recruitment and retention of middle school band students emerged. Research revealed a connection …

The Perception Of K-12 Instrumental Directors In Low-Income Areas On Virtual Learning With Skill Development And Retention, Anthony Lewis Hunt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the extreme measures taken to protect students from COVID-19 during the pandemic, schools closed their doors, and educators struggled to continue teaching through virtual learning platforms. Performance-based classrooms were encouraged to discover new methods and strategies to motivate students to thrive even though face-to-face rehearsals were restricted. This study examined the experiences secondary music education instrumentalists faced while attempting to utilize synchronous and asynchronous instruction in a 100 percent virtual performance-based environment. This study aimed to understand the negative and positive effects placed on secondary instrumentalists’ performance abilities, fundamental development, and participation/retention since the introduction of virtual learning …

How Lifestyle Worship Develops The Qualities Of Effective Leadership In Sacred And Secular Leaders, Pervis Omar Blake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study will examine how lifestyle worship develops the qualities of effective leadership in sacred and secular leaders. The study will use descriptive research regarding leaders from the sacred and secular fields. This study will prove the benefit of the approach of developing leaders through the lifestyle worship model to be impactful in both. The study shows there are common themes and qualities of leaders in different levels of leadership and varying years of leadership. Although there are separate studies on the qualities of effective leadership in both the sacred and secular worlds, there is currently little to no …

Preparing Pre-Service Music Educators To More Effectively Teach Students With Special Needs, James Patrick Tully

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study analyzed the current required coursework of pre-service music educators to prepare for teaching students with special needs at Pennsylvania degree-granting institutions. It surveyed graduates of Pennsylvania degree-granting institutions on their experience in preparing teaching students with special needs and the challenges and barriers faced as in-service teachers. An additional survey targeted the perceptions of current Pennsylvania music education professors and their thoughts on preparing pre-service music educators for teaching students with special needs. The surveys explore the answers to whether coursework designed for pre-service music educators to teach students with special needs successfully are adequate. The current …

The Impact Of Classroom And Behavioral Management On The Quality And Level Of Learning In Music Education, Matthew Nicholas Farr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Music classrooms are often larger in class size than other subject areas. Larger class sizes affect discipline, especially in areas where there is only one teacher for the class or where classroom and behavior management is a point of concern. While little research will support the idea that effective classroom and behavior management can impact learning in music education, research does support the idea that lower discipline infractions in a classroom have higher academic achievement results. Classroom management in the band room can be well maintained when there are limited distractions that take the focus off of the instruction. If …

Seeking Biblical Clarity Through Blended Worship In Georgia Baptist Churches, Angelia Weide Mcleroy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite worship training, many leaders in Georgia Baptist churches struggle to combine music styles cohesively to produce biblical worship. Because of the musical “worship wars” regarding traditional, contemporary, and blended styles, many leaders encounter congregations that lack an understanding of blended worship that marries varied music styles. Guided by survey findings of Georgia Baptist music leaders, this qualitative research case study may identify challenges leaders face concerning stylistic music selections while striving to achieve biblical worship. By evaluating the educational and training process and biblical content, the methodological selection of music can be assessed through this study as documented worship …

The Effects Of Culturally Responsive Teaching On Three Black Or African American High School Choral Students In The Greater Hartford Region, Samuela Jean Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Culturally responsive teaching is an emerging area of education. Due to an increase of people of color in the United States, there is a greater need to incorporate culturally responsive practices in curricula. This study uncovered the perspectives of three public high school Black or African American choral students and a Black or African American high school choral teacher in the Greater Hartford Region and their experiences with culturally responsive choral music. This qualitative phenomenological study revealed new perspectives on the effects of culturally responsive choral instruction. Four themes emerged from students’ post-study interviews: knowledgeable engagement, identity, connections, and musicality. …

The Analysis Of Superintendents’ Perspectives On The Role And Function Of Secondary Band Programs In Coastal Georgia, Michael Eugene Hutchinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although some administrative roles in music education provide research literature, the superintendent’s role and performance expectations concerning the sixth through the twelfth-grade bands have yet to be examined in rural, urban, and coastal Georgia. Superintendent leadership of administrative staff decisions and policy creation influence the role of the school band; therefore, this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study illustrates that when superintendents set ambitious goals and standards for learners, children develop mounting, robust expectations in school band performance. The qualitative research hermeneutic phenomenological method analyzed the superintendent’s role and performance expectations of sixth through twelfth-grade bands in rural, urban, and coastal Georgia, …

The Effects Of Aligning And Integrating English Language Proficiency And Development And Music Standards On Interactive Skills Achievement, Karly Marie Schindler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an increasing number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States school system. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Proficiency (ELP), World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) in English Language Development (ELD), and English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies have been aligned and integrated. However, there has not yet been standards alignment and integration of ELP/D and the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) in music. Guided by the CCSS ELP, WIDA ELD, and the Responding NCAS music standards, this experimental convergent mixed-methods research study includes qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative research …

Performance Psychology For The Church Musician, Elizabeth Sturm

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the plethora of information on performance psychology and performance anxiety for music and sports, not much valuable information to the Christ-follower is available that is especially significant for ensembles, teams, or collaboration. There is a more substantial gap in the spiritual application of the exact science, especially concerning worship studies. The knowledge of performance psychology is essential to communicate the message of Christ in the best way possible to the most people possible. The study, done through qualitative methods and the method’s results, is analyzed in the light of Scriptural principles. The facets considered are corporate worship performance psychology, …

Songs Of Sorrow, Hope, And Praise: Toward A Historical Analysis Of Negro Spirituals, Hope Victoria Dornfeld

Masters Theses

Traditional Negro spirituals play a key role in America’s music history. Spirituals were initially perpetuated by enslaved Africans in the American South through the oral tradition but today are available in a wide variety of choral, vocal, and instrumental arrangements. The lecture recital that accompanies this document will present seven traditional spirituals of varying themes: “Hold On,” “Witness,” “Deep River,” “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” “Balm in Gilead,” “Steal Away,” and “Ride On, King Jesus.” Spirituals can be described by three closely interrelated textual categories or descriptors which correspond with their original use and historical context. Songs of sorrow are those …

Research In Onondaga Music: Challenges And Opportunities, Kristi Eve Adams

Masters Theses

The main topic of focus is the resistance by indigenous people to communicate their cultural practices to researchers and those who are not part of their immediate community, especially in a post-COVID-19 world. The topic will be explored through the music and ceremonies of the Haudenosaunee people, also known as the Iroquois, consisting of members of Native American heritage that are still in existence today and recognized by the United States federal government as an official tribe. Onondaga Nation is one of the few remaining self-governing sovereign Native American nations in the United States. The music of the Onondaga people …

A Study Of The English Language And Its Effects On Vocal Technique, Christie Massey

Masters Theses

There is a widely accepted view by voice teachers at all levels that the English language poses significant challenges for the classical singer in both diction and technique. For the native speaker, this notion may be puzzling and frustrating. This study aims to research and provide pedagogical strategies to assist the teacher and aid the student in singing English successfully and with effective classical technique. The primary research question is: What are the main challenges of singing English diction with classical technique? Other sub-questions include 1) How do period and style affect how the language is sung? 2) To what …

The Declining Enrollment Of San Diego County High School Music Programs From 2006-2021, Charles James Jirkovsky

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 2006, many San Diego County High Schools have experienced a dramatic decline in music program enrollment. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new teaching paradigm served as catalysts that caused some San Diego County high schools to discontinue their music programs entirely. The enrollment statistics for San Diego County high school music programs during the fifteen years from 2006-2021 fall far below the national average. The effects of these changes have left many students and communities with either a struggling music program or without a music program at all. This case study examined a set of San …

The Effects Of Socioeconomic Status And Administrator Support On Middle School All-County Chorus Selections, Celeste Rae Cruz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Achieving equal opportunity in vocal music instruction for middle school students in their classrooms is possible. Unequal practices can occur for middle school choral students who live in low socioeconomic areas. Students in middle or high socioeconomic areas can frequently take private music instruction and receive instruction from their public-school music teacher. Students with private music instruction may be selected for the All-County festival selections over students who cannot afford private music instruction. Student selections for all-county are based on ranking according to NYSSMA scores. Therefore, students from middle and high socioeconomic areas can rank higher than those who do …

The Effects Of The Orff Approach On Language Acquisition For Spanish Foreign Language Students, Kimberly Jean Clare Chimento-Tichacek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the abundance of literature that supports music education connecting to language learning, limited research evaluates the effectiveness of elementary music methodologies, such as the Orff approach, in helping foreign language students in their language learning. The Orff approach develops musicianship in every student through music, movement, speech, and drama. Guided by Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, the researcher implemented a quasi-experimental research study to measure the language fluency of 100 elementary students participating in general music and learning Spanish as a foreign language. The researcher placed half of the students in the treatment group exploring the Orff approach in …

Jazz Band One South Africa Concert Tour, May 24-25, 2023 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

Uni Suzuki School Annual Spring Concert, May 21, 2023 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

Examining The Use Of Expressive Arts Therapies In Neurorehabilitation Treatment Planning, Rebecca J. Horner

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Those undergoing neurorehabilitation after stroke and traumatic brain injury report a diminished sense of overall wellness. This paper examines the conceivable benefits of introducing expressive arts therapies, which is the therapeutic use and combination of the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other intermodal creative processes, into physical therapy and neurorehabilitation treatment planning. Expressive arts therapies have the capacity to engage with an individual’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual states concurrently. They simultaneously offer the ability to promote an increased sense of well-being, address mind-body disconnects, and process trauma non-verbally.

The sections of this narrative literature review focus on …

Jewish Wordless Singing In Music Therapy And Burnout Prevention With Outpatient Mental Health Clinicians, Elizabeth Zinn

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Existing literature has shown a rise in burnout levels for mental health clinicians, especially in light of the recent and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This capstone project focused on understanding how Jewish wordless melodies (niggunim) may be used as a technique in group singing in music therapy as a strategy for preventing clinician burnout. Research has demonstrated that music therapy techniques may be beneficial in addressing the causes and components of burnout though there is minimal research on the use of niggunim in music therapy, and none on the use of niggunim to prevent burnout. A single-session niggunim-based intervention was …

Exploring The Hinterland: The Development Of A Person-Centered Music Therapy Method For A Hospice Patient With Lewy Body Dementia, Paige Chaplin

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores the development and implementation of a music therapy method with an individual diagnosed with dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) receiving home hospice services. There is very little known about the effect of music therapy on patients diagnosed with DLB. Informed by Tom Kitwood’s Person-Centered Care (PCC) philosophy for dementia care, Yumiko Sato’s Musical Life Review (MLR) model, and Lisa Kelly and Bill Ahessy’s Reminiscence-Focused Music Therapy (RFMT) model, a clinical method was developed to explore the effects of person-centered music therapy on reminiscence, caregiver connection, and identity. I drew inspiration from music therapy concepts by Tony Wigram …

Using Vignettes To Change Music Therapists' Attitudes Toward Research, Adrienne Flight

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This study used a three-condition experimental design to determine which was more effective in changing music therapists’ attitudes toward research: a vignette demonstrating positive outcomes of using research to inform clinical work (PO), a vignette showing negative outcomes of not using it to inform clinical work (NO), or a research summary (RS). The outcome measure had three subscales, focused on perceptions of usefulness, anxiety, and positive predispositions.

Respondents (N = 656) included students and professionals. Findings indicated that anxiety decreased more for the RS than the NO condition, F(2, 653) = 4.0, p = .02, η² = …

What Is Competency? Exploring Perceptions Of Functional Musicianship In Music Therapy, Catherine Befi-Hensel

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of music therapy clinicians, educators, clinical supervisors, and students in the United States regarding functional music skill competence. The study further attempted to identify potential factors that may influence perceptions of functional music skill competence, including the principal instrument, amount of clinical and supervision experience, and educational background of the rater. Data for this study were collected using an online survey that asked participants to listen to 12 musical excerpts and rate each for proficiency in overall musicality, instrumental accompaniment, vocal performance, and musical competence. Additionally, participants had the option …