Music Education Commons^™

From Tab To Standard Notation, Abigail J. Ferrell

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This poster will be over my Ed TPA portfolio.

Engaging Underrepresented 11- To 14-Year-Olds In Music: An Autoethnographic Case Study Of A New Inner-City Afterschool Group Piano Program, Eden A. Brown

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Research in music education has documented the underrepresentation of Black students in formal music study in the United States, shaped by economic and cultural barriers (Elpus & Abril, 2024; Alegrado & Winsler, 2020). Access to piano instruction is often limited by the high cost of lessons and instruments, inequitable school funding, and the absence of culturally responsive curricula that reflect the experiences of minority students and families. Traditional piano pedagogy rarely addresses this absence, leaving the piano both symbolically and practically distant for many potential musicians in the United States. This autoethnographic case study chronicles the development, launch, and first …

Hear & Now: Culturally Responsive Music Education Through Digital Audio Workstations & Musique Concrète, Benjamin T. Connolly

Pitzer Senior Theses

Hear & Now: Culturally Responsive Music Education Through Digital Audio Workstations & Musique Concrète is a two-part ethnomusicological study of how the capacities and affordability of modern electronic instruments could be utilized within school curricula as an affordable alternative to traditional music classes. I explore the musique concrète movement from mid-20th century France, aiming my examination towards the movement’s emphasis on the materiality of sound production and utilization of modern technology during the composition process. From there, the paper transitions into a study on the affordances of contemporary music technologies through a series of interviews with electronic composers, tracing the …

Hegemonic Microtonality: Decolonizing The Soundscape Of Music Theory Pedagogy, Ash K. Wetty

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how Western music theory pedagogy—long organized around tonal and twelve-tone equal-temperament frameworks—structures both what is taught and how students are trained to listen. Through a literature review tracing the historical construction of tonal universality in undergraduate curricula, the project argues that dominant models of music theory reproduce broader epistemic hierarchies inherited from Western conservatory traditions. Situating these histories within my own experience as a student navigating institutional listening norms, the thesis combines critical self-reflection with ethnographic research conducted across five liberal arts institutions, including the CBB consortium and JanPlan research at Wesleyan University and Amherst College. Rather …

Undergraduate Voice Students’ Understanding Of The Vocalize And Its Purpose, Natalie H. Bazemore

Honors College Theses

This research discusses undergraduate voice students' understanding of vocalizes and their purpose. To discuss this subject, a vocalize has been defined along with its purpose analyzed. By discovering what methods voice teachers are using to prescribe vocalizes tells us how they are educating their singers on developing technical singing skills. This research was collected through a survey conducted in Qualtrics and was shared via social media voice teacher forums and collegiate music settings. This 5-10 minute long survey included participants that are either undergraduate voice students or undergraduate voice teachers. The teachers and students completed different surveys, both asking about …

Accountability In The Musical Classroom, Austin Chambers

Music

Once the teacher explains the topic and works with the class, the students must be able to review, either individually or in groups, and make necessary changes to be able to correct themselves. When the topic or lesson is portrayed and explained to the class, the students must be able to observe any different changes they may need to make to what they have observed in themselves. Once they are able to reflect on themselves with little or no teacher support, students can move on to additional topics or the next section of the lesson they are discussing. This can …

A New Method For Teaching Classical Improvisation In The Wind Band, Eric Anthony Brewer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT A New Method for Teaching Classical Improvisation in the Wind Band

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the pedagogy of music improvisation taught in the eighteenth century Neapolitan Conservatories.  This project continues that interest by introducing concepts from that pedagogy to the wind band classroom at the high school and collegiate levels.  A new method for wind band that teaches basic concepts in music improvisation and trains students in elements of music composition is presented along with rehearsal techniques for implementing that method.      The method introduces students to the elements of major and minor keys …

Embracing Versatility: A Guide To Preparing Undergraduate Saxophonists For The Modern Job Market, James B. O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Instrumentalists who enter their undergraduate degrees in music performance often spend most of their degree focusing on their primary instrument with the hope of finding a career in their chosen discipline. However, a review of current job vacancies (university positions, military bands, and pit orchestras) show that saxophonists are often expected to have ample experience in not only jazz and classical saxophone performance, but also a working knowledge of multiple woodwinds (flute, clarinet, and occasionally double reeds) to be competitive for work. This reality can be daunting for students who enter their undergraduate program with only a basic knowledge of …

A Constraint-Based Approach To Developing Melodic Improvisational Skills In Intermediate Jazz Piano Students, Alton Xian Rong Wong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the pedagogical value of a constraint-based approach in helping students develop improvisational fluency and coherence by facilitating audiation. Although there are pedagogical texts on jazz improvisation that incorporate exercises shaped by constraint-based thinking, there is neither a systematic framework for their application with students of varying levels and musical backgrounds, nor a clear explanation of their pedagogical purpose. This research investigates how constraint-based pedagogy, through the lens of rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic parameters, can be applied independently or collectively to support the development of improvisational fluency in intermediate level jazz piano improvisers. It argues that musical constraints …

Harmonizing Tradition And Technology: Exploring The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Applied Music Instruction, Elizabeth Blanton Momand

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

This presentation highlights how AI tools can enhance applied music instruction by providing real-time feedback, streamlining lesson planning, and personalizing instruction. Attendees will learn how AI fosters more effective teaching and independent student practice, while also exploring opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This session equips music educators with strategies to modernize teaching and improve outcomes in 21st-century music programs.

Build Your Own Chatbot For Any Music Course – It’S Easier Than You Think!, Art Brownlow

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

Imagine a teaching assistant available 24/7 to answer students’ questions and support their learning—now, with custom GPT chatbots, that vision is a reality. This session demonstrates two AI tools created for music history courses: an Informational Chatbot for course policies, assignments and deadlines; and a Tutor Chatbot for mastering course content. These tools enhance learning, accommodate diverse schedules, and improve efficiency by automating routine tasks. Attendees will learn to create their own custom AI chatbots while exploring practical insights and best practices, inspiring them to integrate AI into their classrooms.

Don’T Do-It-Yourself: The Exquisite Corpse And Collaborative Play In Undergraduate Electronic Music Pedagogy, Josh Biggs

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

In this demonstration, I focus on the Exquisite Corpse as a pedagogical tool for undergraduate electronic music production courses, and more broadly argue for the practical and theoretical value of integrating collaborative and iterative improvisational tools in undergraduate electronic music curricula. I share a four-week module that applies the Exquisite Corpse method as a way to reduce student overwhelm and to encourage community-oriented learning and making, while introducing simple subtractive synthesis and MIDI composition in the DAW. The audience will benefit both from the specificity of the teaching methods I outline as well as the motivating premise that electronic music …

Free Code-Based Software Music Classes As An Invitation To Fuel Students' Sonic Creativity, Problem Solving, And Community Building, Jorge E. Variego

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

This workshop proposes the integration of free code-based programming software into music classes to expand students' sonic creativity, problem-solving skills, and community-building opportunities.

Digital Innovations In Group Piano Instruction, Chee Hyeon Choi, Chan Kiat Lim

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

This presentation will explore the transformative impact of integrating web-based digital textbooks into higher education music programs, specifically focusing on group piano curricula. By moving away from traditional paper-based textbooks, this approach leverages interactive, multimedia resources to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Attendees will gain insights into how digital textbooks, such as the award-winning eNovative Piano, can enhance students' understanding of musical concepts, foster technical proficiency, and promote a deeper connection between sound, theory, and technique. By attending this session, participants will understand how a multimedia approach in piano education can cultivate adaptability, responsiveness, and creativity, ultimately preparing …

Beyond Interdisciplinary: Igniting Transdisciplinary Thinking In Tomorrow’S Music Technology Graduates, Mark De Zwaan

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

Outwardly, this presentation is an inquest into the structural quandaries of curricular design in music technology—a practical extension to the seminal discussion about music technology curriculum launched by Carola Boehm (2007). I recently pioneered a new BSc degree program in Digital Music Technology at my institution, obtaining the support of four departments across campus to manifest an interdisciplinary implementation, yet the curricular structure governing our degree programs was generally incompatible with Boehm’s foremost recommendations. This led me down the very curricular path she rejected as “modernist”: derived from 18th-century concepts of the university in which interdisciplinarity was realized through the …

An Inclusive Oer Pedagogy In Teaching Music Technology In Higher Ed, Jiayue Cecilia Wu

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

As a Colorado State's Open Educational Resources (OER) funding award recipient, I will present the application of an OER approach in teaching music technology, utilizing free and/or open-source materials, tools, and textbooks/publications. Drawing on two courses I have successfully taught using this methodology, I will highlight practical implementation strategies and their impact. Furthermore, I will introduce national OER funding resources and guide the application process. I will enable music educators to adopt this approach in their teaching practices, enhance their scholarly publications, and secure funding support for academic initiatives.

Duotube: Inspiring Experimental Creativity In Common Digital Spaces, Ralph Lewis, Robin Meiksins

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

This paper reflects on the ways an easy to access work for laptop has been of use to ensembles and music educators. It explores experimentalism and electronic music using technology typically found in a computer lab or a home computer and allows for playful exploration in group or solo situations. Near the end of the talk, an excerpt of the work will be demonstrated to help show how it relatively easy to onboard, try out, and ideally try it out at home/school later on.

Crafting Sonic Worlds: Developing A Comprehensive Curriculum For Sound Design, Igor Karaca

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

In this paper presentation we will explore effective pedagogical strategies for engaging college students in the field of sound design. The presentation will outline a comprehensive curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, emphasizing the importance of creativity and collaboration.

Tools Of The Trade: An Exploratory Study Analyzing The Frequency And Potency Of Tools In Hip-Hop Music Creation, Performance, And Pedagogy, Drew X. Coles, Cato Zane

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

This paper presents findings from a qualitative research study examining the tools most frequently used in the creation, performance, and teaching of hip-hop music. The study collected data from three key stakeholder groups: professional practitioners, music educators, and amateur creators. Through thematic analysis, the research identifies tools ranging from hardware such as MIDI controllers and turntables to software like DAWs and mobile apps, and explores their perceived effectiveness in facilitating musical creativity.

The study’s goal is to inform music educators about the tools that dominate the hip-hop marketplace and their various applications. By understanding how different tools contribute to beat-making, …

Rethinking Music Theory Pedagogy, Kathryn Williamsen

Student Scholar Symposium

As music has evolved over time the education system has also been evolving. Unfortunately, this growth in music education has become stagnant in the last century and pedagogy has remained relatively steady. While there are important pedagogical techniques and approaches used in the classical history of music, there are also new approaches that should be given more heed. The music theory that is being taught in the classroom feels detached from the music students are producing and consuming.

As this problem has persisted two improvements can be made to music theory pedagogy. The first would be changing our approach to …

Corporeality In Choral Sound: Elements Of Consonant Diction Shaping Pre-Expressive Presence, Perceived Clarity, And Expression In English-Language Choral Music, Addison Walton

Dissertations, 2020-current

The genesis of this project stems from a lived experience performing with a professional choir, whose sung physical shaping of the English language—its crystalline clarity, profound expressivity, and the pre-expressive elements inherent in the delivery—was deeply and viscerally compelling. This overwhelming reaction was in response to their bodies; specifically, the sound their bodies produced that evoked a sense of corporeality, or tangible bodily presence. There was beauty to be found in the way their mouths physically formed the language, both within and removed from the semantic context.

This study sought to acknowledge those fleeting, pre-expressive moments in choral music and …

Sight-Singing Requirements Of Choral Festivals: A Fifty-State Comparison Of The Methods Used To Adjudicate Ensemble Literacy, William Griswold Jr

Dissertations

Standardized testing in the United States has permeated all levels of education including the choral music classroom. Across the country, state music organizations have implemented yearly evaluations of high school choral ensembles in which directors prepare choirs to be judged against a particular standard. While many organizations utilize similar methods of evaluating performances at adjudicated choral festivals, the methods used for evaluating sight-singing vary greatly from state to state. Throughout the country, various types of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic exercises are used to evaluate an ensemble’s ability to sight-sing, however in certain states no form of sight-singing is required for …

Visualizing The Fretboard: Arpeggiated Patterns, Muscle Memory, And Neurocognitive Strategies For The 5-String Electric Bass, Matthew Alexander Woisin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proficient navigation of the 5-string electric bass requires a comprehensive mastery of various techniques and a solid understanding of music theory. This includes a detailed grasp of arpeggios, chord extensions, and the development of deeply ingrained muscle memory for precise execution. This thesis introduces a structured methodology that refines existing fretboard visualization techniques and applies a unique manner of fretboard mapping, offering a more precise framework for comprehending and unlocking the full range of the instrument. By drawing insights from music theory, music education, cognitive science, neuroscience, and technology this approach is achieved by synthesizing research on visual pattern recognition, …

Ethnomusicologically Augmented French Diction Course, Jake Larcqua

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Modern diction pedagogy in university vocal performance education largely depends on a combination of International Phonetic Alphabet transcription study and the application of those systems to Western-Classical vocal repertoire. However, recent research in related fields suggests we may be able to expand our diction teaching methods to better meet the needs of our students. Using a combination of second-language pedagogic principles, folksong structure, self-efficacy concepts, modeling structures, and ethnomusicological perspectives on classroom culture, I have drafted a French diction course that should improve not only students’ performance within university vocal music education, but also students’ confidence in their ability to …

Facilitating Bedroom Recording Practices, Christopher William Bulgren, Jason C. Fick

Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction

An increase in access to recording technology has expanded opportunities for teachers and students. One approach, bedroom recording, involves the use of low-budget hardware and software in common, untreated spaces, often in one’s home. Bedroom recording practices significantly impact the sense of place and workflow in the industry for both professionals and amateur music makers. As an art form that thrives on mobility, bedroom recording is a natural pathway for music students to achieve low-cost, self-guided recordings. The purpose of this study was to explore best practices and student interactions related to a bedroom recording project. Participants were 17 Music …

Haydn's Canonic Minuets, James S. Mackay

HAYDN: Online Journal of the Haydn Society of North America

Haydn composed many hundreds of minuets during his long career, enriching the courtly dance with compositional skill and ingenuity. One of the ways in which he sought to elevate the minuet genre was through contrapuntal artifice, including canon. The famous “Hexenmenuett” (“Witches’ Minuet”) from his “Quinten” Quartet, Op. 76 no. 2, dating from 1797, is the most famous of these works, in which the viola and cello duplicate the leading voice of violins I and II at the distance of an octave. Haydn’s interest in canonic minuets dates back to the early 1760s, however. Minuets from three early symphonies (Nos. …

Learning How To Practice Takes Practice, Micah Killion, Robert Duke

John J. Cali School of Music Scholarship and Creative Works

Effective music learning depends on effective music practice. Although time spent with teachers is an important component of young musicians’ development, time spent alone practicing is perhaps even more consequential. Researchers and teachers have offered many prescriptions about effective music practice, yet observations of young musicians’ actual practice reveal that their behavior in the practice room is often quite unlike what teachers envision. The most important aspects of effective practice are the thinking, perceiving, and decision-making that serve to organize how musicians spend their time. We discuss how to help students focus their attention in ways that lead to the …

“It’S Like Mental Marginalization”: Stories Of Four Music Students At A Hispanic Serving Institution., Sarah Minette

Visions of Research in Music Education

Researchers have explored the ways in which P-12 teachers and students negotiate Latino/a/x/e cultural and musical identities in the classrooms (Abril, 2009; Lechuga & Schmidt, 2018; Palkki, 2015). While some have connected culturally responsive teaching to the needs of the growing number of Latino/a/x and Hispanic students in P-12 settings (Abril & Kelly-McHale, 2015), currently, no studies within music education address the experiences of music students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), as well as the music making practices, curriculum, and faculty experiences at HSI. This case study examined how a music department at an HSI served the needs of its …

Transformational Choral Spaces And Trans-Formational Experiences, Dillon E. Beede

Visions of Research in Music Education

Despite a significant increase in the trans and gender expansive (TGE) population in the US (Ghorayshi, 2022), pedagogies and policies have not changed at the same rate in cis-dominant choral spaces (Aguirre, 2018). Drawing from bio-ecological systems theory and trans-identity development frameworks, this qualitative research highlights the challenges and affirmations faced by TGE singers. This study also examines the pedagogical and policy-oriented frameworks within a trans and gender-expansive choral ensemble, aiming to share the unique perspectives of performers and examine how these frameworks influence identity development. This study further contributes to the growing body of literature advocating for equity and …

Music Making To Transgress: A Phenomenology Of Transgressive American Music Educators, Anders P. Lewis

Visions of Research in Music Education

This phenomenological case study examined four self-described transgressive music teachers in the United States. Transgressive teachers may be described as those who challenge oppressive structures, both in educational settings and in the broader social context, to support marginalized students. Findings suggest that teacher identity creation and analytic frameworks of oppressive structures shape the elements of their transgressive pedagogies. These findings also suggest varied paths of becoming for transgressive teachers. The researcher concludes with suggestions for further research and implications for current teachers.