Music Education Commons^™

A Survey Of Music Teachers’ Working Conditions, David N. Sanderson, Timothy D. Buzza, Christopher S. Jannings, Kangwon Kim, Bryan D. Maurer, Jonathan Soderberg-Chase

Research & Issues in Music Education

For this study the researchers examined music teacher responses to survey items pertaining to their working conditions. Participants reported their satisfaction about factors related to music program funding, facilities, workload, professional development, and school culture. Responses were analyzed to detect possible differences in responses due to demographic factors of teachers, schools, and teaching assignments. Initial findings indicated that teachers were generally satisfied with their all aspects of their working conditions with the exception of professional development. A MANOVA was conducted to determine if there were any significant differences in responses based on participant demographics. While our study found no disparities …

Documenting Fifth-Grade Band Students’ Experiences In A Kodály-Centered Beginning Band Curriculum, Elisabeth Henderson Dhillon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

ABSTRACT

Based on the work of Hungarian composer and educator Zoltán Kodály, the Kodály method, a sound-to-symbol approach to music-making and literacy stemming from an aural and auditory entry point, forms an integral aspect of many elementary level general music curricula in the United States. In this process-oriented, experiential approach, students hear and explore music kinesthetically, aurally and through folk and art song before visual concepts in the form of notes in formal notation are introduced.

In contrast, traditional beginning band methodologies tend not to incorporate a sound-to-symbol approach, teaching the intricacies of a complex new instrument in conjunction with …

Girls Rock Camp, Erica Lashley

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The objective of this creative honors project was to create, plan, fund, and spearhead a week-long day camp for girls ages 8-18 to learn the basics of a rock instrument and collaborate with other girls to form bands and perform. This paper synthesizes my experience organizing, fundraising for, and counseling Harrisonburg’s first Girls Rock Camp, which took place August 14-19, 2017. In this paper, I outline the purpose and importance of Girls Rock Camp, the research and planning conducted to design the project, and the camp experience. I aim to provide insight, words of wisdom, and inspiration for future projects …

String Fundamentals For The Non-String-Playing Conductor, Dianna Fiore, Dianna Marie Fiore

Dissertations, 2014-2019

There are presently few resources on stringed-instrument fundamentals geared specifically toward the conductor who does not have string-playing experience. This paper is designed to fill this void through an explanation of string fundamentals, which the non-string-playing conductor should comprehend before addressing a string section on the podium. In addition to covering string fundamentals, this paper includes options for designing bowings and case studies of W. A. Mozart’s Divertimento in F major, K.138 and Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20.

Music Making, Teaching, And Learning In Chiptune Communities, Jon M. Stapleton

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Music education has long identified “life-long and life-wide” musicianship within community contexts as a primary goal of formal music instruction in and outside of public schools. In music education research, scholars often seek out (and study) musical communities to inform formal curricula and pedagogy, with the goal of better preparing students to participate in musical communities outside of formal institutions.

In this study, I explore music learning practices at play in one corner of contemporary musicianship—chiptune. Chiptune is music that references videogame sounds and videogame music. Some chiptune artists make music for videogames, others release albums and play live shows. …

Examining The Effect Of Aural Preparation On Second Grade Students’ Music Literacy Rhythm Skills, Craig Hurley, Dorothy Musselwhite, Brian C. Wesolowski

Research & Issues in Music Education

Aural preparation is operationally defined as hearing, performing, decoding, and creating rhythms or pitches aurally prior to the introduction of music notation. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of aural preparation on second grade students’ music literacy rhythm skills (i.e. reading, performing, and dictation). The research questions that guided this study included: (1) What are the psychometric qualities (i.e., validity and reliability) of the three measures used in this study used to assess rhythmic potential and achievement? (2) How does aural preparation affect students' ability to read and perform rhythms? (3) How does aural preparation affect …

Student Perspectives And Learning Outcomes From Self-Guided Ensemble Rehearsal, David M. Hedgecoth

Research & Issues in Music Education

The purpose of this study was to examine democratic practice in a large ensemble setting. A large (N = 63) auditioned concert band served as the case study for the present investigation. A series of self-guided rehearsals provided the opportunity for the ensemble members to engage in democratic musical governance without a conductor. Mixed-method methodologies were utilized to gain deep insight into interpersonal and musical events that took place during the group’s rehearsals. Several findings provide new insight into how democratic practices function in large ensembles, and how these practices impact music education instruction. Specifically, I analyzed the impact …

Notes From The Editor, Bruce Gleason

Research & Issues in Music Education

Welcome to the 2018 issue of Research and Issues in Music Education (RIME). In this issue, Christina Smiraglia and Hanako Sawada Lacerda of Harvard University along with Gordon Divine Asaah of the University of Pennsylvania report on the Art of Listening in a middle school visual art program in Edinburgh, Scotland; Wesley Brewer of Oregon State University analyzes and describes the contents of recommended band repertoire lists; Craig Hurley, Dorothy Musselwhite, and Brian C. Wesolowski of the University of Georgia examine the effect of aural preparation with second-grade music students; and David Hedgecoth investigates democratic practice in a large ensemble …

The Art Of Listening: Listening Skill Development, Classical Music Appreciation, And Personal Response Through Visual Art In A Middle School Program, Christina Smiraglia, Gordon Divine Asaah, Hanako Sawada Lacerda

Research & Issues in Music Education

Although many programs aim to develop students’ listening skills and promote the appreciation of Western classical music, relatively few such programs incorporate visual art. This study examined the perceived effectiveness of the Edinburgh International Festival’s (EIF) Art of Listening program in reaching its stated goals to: develop skills for listening, encourage the enjoyment of listening to Western classical music, break down preconceptions held about Western classical music, cultivate a deeper relationship with the imagination through music and art, and encourage students’ personal responses to music. Focusing primarily on the first three goals, this study gathered data from 78 students from …

A Content Analysis Of Recommended Composers In Repertoire Lists For Band, Wesley Brewer

Research & Issues in Music Education

In this study I analyze and describe the contents of recommended band repertoire lists to explore which composers’ music is recommended and arranged for band most often. Fourteen repertoire lists provided by state-level music associations and independent publishers were included in the analysis, comprising a total of 32,267 entries. Previous research on band repertoire and programming has tended to focus on composers of advanced literature and has subsequently overlooked the contributions of composers who write music primarily intended for educational purposes. The 25 most recommended composers from each graded difficulty level of literature from 1 to 5+ and overall are …

“Emily Dickinson: The Poet’S Voice As Expressed Through Music” A Pedagogical Performance Analysis Of Selected Dickinson Poetry In Solo And Choral Literature, With Emphasis On Expression And Meaning Throughout The Rehearsal Process, Nelia M. Maurizi

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Vocal music is unique to other forms of music because of the inclusion of text. Words allow a performer to directly express thoughts, a story, or an emotion to an audience. Composers throughout history have taken famous texts as set them to music. This particular project explored the work of Emily Dickinson, one of Americans most prolific poets, in both choral and solo vocal literature. The culmination of this project was a lecture recital. This paper is a written documentation and exploration of the research, preparation, and execution of the recital. In it contain lesson plans, score analyses, the recital …

Playing With Others: The Community, Motivations, And Social Structures Of The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band, Sarah E. Wilson

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore motivations for participation, how social structures influence the adult non-professional members of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band (HRCB), and identify the characteristics of community present in the band. The following questions framed the investigation within an interpretative phenomenological approach:

1. What motivates the band members to participate in the HRCB?
2. How do the institutional social structures influence the sense of belonging, development of social capital, and socialization of band members?
3. What characteristics of community are present within the HRCB?

Data was collected from long-term researcher observation and one-on-one semi-structured interviews with each participant. …

The Development Of A Fach System For The Tenor Oratorio Repertoire, Randall C. Ball

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Classical singers learn about the European Fach System early in their career. By determining which Fach a voice type fits, one can then understand which operatic repertoire is suited to study and perform. It is a reliable guide, protecting singers as they grow and function in their workplace. Since oratorio roles are predominantly not included in this system, it can sometimes be challenging for singers and pedagogues to place these roles unambiguously into a Fach. Without the security of a pedagogical system or guide, singers may be miscast in oratorio productions, which can result in a less effective performance, …

The Comparison Of Novice And Master Instrumental Music Educators’ Use Of Figurative Language And Their Attitudes Concerning It As A Tool For Effective Teaching, Matthew H. Spieker

Research & Issues in Music Education

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of figurative language between master and novice instrumental music teachers and to investigate their attitudes toward figurative language as a teaching tool. Figurative language is defined as any creative verbal instruction intended to teach a concept. Sixteen (N = 16) secondary school, instrumental directors were selected as participants. These were divided into two groups of novice and master teachers. Novice teachers were student teachers or first-year teachers, and master teachers had a minimum of eight years of experience, were selected as master teachers by professors at state universities and …

Notes From The Editor, Bruce Gleason

Research & Issues in Music Education

Welcome to the 2016-2017 issue of Research and Issues in Music Education (RIME). In this issue, Wendy Matthews of Wayne State University and Karen Koner of California State University, Stanislaus report on professional attributes and job satisfaction of music educators; Jonathan Bolduc and Melanie Évrard of Université Laval examine music teaching practices at the early childhood level; Elizabeth Bucura of Eastman School of Music and JulieAnn Weissberg of the Kyrene School District in Tempe, Arizona investigate elementary students’ creating processes and perspectives through composition; Matthew Spieker of Ball State University investigates instrumental music educators’ use of figurative language; and Phillip …

A Survey Of Elementary And Secondary Music Educators’ Professional Background, Teaching Responsibilities And Job Satisfaction In The United States, Wendy K. Matthews, Karen Koner

Research & Issues in Music Education

The focus of this exploratory study was to examine the current trends of K – 12 music educators in the United States regarding their (a) professional background, (b) classroom teaching responsibilities, and (c) job satisfaction. Participants included seven thousand four hundred and sixty-three (N = 7,463) currently employed music teachers who were members of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) during the 2015 – 2016 academic year. To assess the variables, participants responded to a researcher created 49-item Music Educator Survey for K – 12 Teachers. Results indicate that overall, K – 12 music educators were predominately Caucasian …

Music Education From Birth To Five: An Examination Of Early Childhood Educators’ Music Teaching Practices, Jonathan Bolduc, Melanie Evrard

Research & Issues in Music Education

Children from birth to five are generally enthusiastic about music. However, because many early-childhood educators (ECEs) feel that they have insufficient knowledge to foster musical development, music education practices are not equivalent across ECEs. This study aimed to identify and determine the frequency of music activities used by ECEs. In all, 108 French Canadian ECEs (N = 108 women) from mixed areas (urban and rural) participated in the study. All participants completed an online questionnaire addressing their music education practices. The data analysis considered three profiles: 1) ECEs with little musical knowledge, 2) ECEs with good musical knowledge, and …

Predictive Ability From Eportfolios Of Student Achievement Associated With Professional Teaching Standards: An Exploratory Case Study, Phillip Payne, Frederick Burrack

Research & Issues in Music Education

This exploratory case study, focused on a music teacher preparation program, examined the coursework ePortfolios of pre-service music teachers to determine if any parts of the ePortfolio process predicted teaching effectiveness in the classroom during the student teaching semester. Sixty-five undergraduate pre-service music teachers made up the sample of the study. Data collected for each student consisted of coursework ePortfolios, summative student teaching assessments from both elementary and secondary placements, and selected licensure-related requirements as mandated by the state board of education. Multiple regression analyses revealed significant relationships between ePortfolio performance and student teaching assessments. Specifically, student teacher reflections (as …

Children’S Musical Empowerment In Two Composition Task Designs, Elizabeth Bucura, Julieanne Weissberg

Research & Issues in Music Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary students’ creating processes and perspectives through composition. Two fourth-grade classes took part in this action research, which consisted of creating four compositions—two with acoustic instruments and two with computer software. For each of the two sound sources, the first composition was written with specified constraints and the second with freedom. Research questions included: 1) how do students respond to composition tasks with differing levels of freedom and constraint; and 2) how does composing in different group sizes impact composition? Data included field notes, recordings, student interviews, and response forms. Major themes …

Bonding Theatre And Chemistry: An Educational Exploration, Matthew Gurniak

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This paper analyzes the educational aspects of theatre and music and the impact that they have on an audience. The goal was to begin a new conversation about science and theatre and how the two can learn and gain unique insight from each other. To examine how these two antithetical fields can interact, I composed a new, innovative musical that tells the love story between two professors through the use of concepts from general chemistry. The results and responses from the performance of the play were overwhelmingly positive from members of both disciplines. They have inspired continued interest in this …

A Historical Study Of The Vboda Marching Festival And Its Comparison To The National Band Contests Of The 1920s And 1930s, Benjamin J. Frenchak

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The 1920s National School Band Contests and the 1980s Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association’s state marching competition followed parallel paths as music educators involved in each event wrestled with the value of competition and its implications in education. Various tensions over the competitive aspects of the events led to revisions that ultimately changed their purpose to assessment-oriented festivals. The purpose of this historical study was to investigate the events surrounding the National School Band Contest of the 1920s and 1930s; document the creation, administration, and evolution of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association (VBODA) statewide marching assessment from …

Overwhelmed, Overworked, And Under-Appreciated: A Mixed Methods Study Of Undergraduate Music Education Students, John P. Riley

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The primary purpose of this study was to compare burnout levels of college music education students by National Association for Music Education division, year in school, primary instrument, and certification track (i.e., instrumental, vocal, general). The secondary purpose of the study was to examine relationships among perceived burnout, academic, and personal variables. Moreover, in this study I explored participants’ experiences with burnout, why participants think burnout occurs, and how participants try to combat burnout. Respondents were 320 undergraduate students studying music education across the United States. Results revealed percussion students exhibited the highest levels of emotional exhaustion. Juniors reported the …

Playing Together: A Chamber Music Guide, Nicholas Scott Matherne

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Chamber Music, as purported by numerous academic and non-academic music education sources, is a valuable for developing the essential skills for musical development. The guide is designed to serve as scaffolding for young musicians to play chamber music together without the structure of a formal teacher. To facilitate this process for a variety of students, the music is designed using diverse instrumentation scoring so that any group of 5 musicians can play together the music arranged for this book. By examining all of the exercises in this guide, young musicians will complete self-driven content lessons in all of the nine …

Effective Elements Of Conducting: A Study Of High School Orchestra Directors, Matthew J. Brooks

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how effectively current high school orchestra directors demonstrate the elements of conducting. To do this, I first selected what elements of conducting would be evaluated and then defined what is effective for each. From this, I created a conductor evaluation form consisting of a 1-Not Effective to 5-Effective rating scale to score how effectively each element is demonstrated. The results would later address the primary research questions:

1. What elements of conducting do high school orchestra directors demonstrate most effectively?
2. What elements of conducting do high school orchestra directors demonstrate least effectively?

Current …

Rockin’ Around The Clock: An Exploratory Study Of Music Teachers' Personal Listening Choices, Virginia Wayman Davis

Research & Issues in Music Education

This study aimed to explore the personal music listening choices of music teachers. Specifically, in which formats do teachers listen to music for personal pleasure, how do they obtain the music they choose, and how frequently do they choose to listen to certain genres of music. Using an online survey, music teachers answered questions about their listening and purchasing habits. Results were then analyzed using simple statistics and Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) to discover listening preferences for the group as a whole, as well as what differences may occur with regards to age, teaching situation or other factors. Through this …

Social Justice Issues And Music Education In The Post 9/11 United States, Cynthia L. Wagoner

Research & Issues in Music Education

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: first, to examine the impact of historical socio-political events on music education, particularly post 9/11 with the intent of establishing a context for social justice issues; and second, how we might examine the broad implications to further music education research focusing on social justice. Issues of social justice are inextricably woven into the fabric of post-9/11 U.S. education, as evidenced through reform efforts aimed at job-related skill sets, standardized testing, national standards, and economic gridlock resulting in the diminished access or elimination of the arts in the public schools, including music. Traditionally music …

Experiences And Perceptions Of Middle School Handbell Participants, Debbie Rohwer

Research & Issues in Music Education

The purpose of the current study was to describe the process of music learning and the perceptions of members in a school-based middle school handbell setting. The participants were 39 students and one music teacher in a middle school in Texas. The design of the current study was a case study using observation and interview data. The results highlight a successful middle school handbell ensemble setting that could be used as a model for a different form of music learning environment than the traditional options generally found in the schools. The study describes the practices and perceptions of a handbell …

“If It Fits Into Their Culture, Then They Will Have A Connection”: Experiences Of Two Latina Students In A Select High School Choir, Joshua Palkki

Research & Issues in Music Education

In the United States, Latino/a students are underrepresented in secondary school music programs (Elpus & Abril, 2011). By understanding the needs of Latino/a students, music educators can create programs that will better serve this student population. This intrinsic case study chronicles the experiences of Cassandra and Elena, two students enrolled in a high school choir in a mid-sized Midwestern community. The main research questions were: (a) Which lived experiences of these Latino/a students play a role in school choral music, and (b) Which elements of culturally relevant pedagogy have played a role in choral music education of these two students? …

The Variety Show: Why Classical String Musicians Are Exploring A Multistyle Approach To Teaching, Kelly C. Wiedemann

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The Variety Show: Why Classical String Musicians are

Exploring a Multistyle Approach to Music

Kelly C. Wiedemann

This case study examines the experiences of five classically trained string teachers who now include alternative styles in their teaching. The research questions are: (1) What factors inspire a classically trained string educator to begin teaching alternative styles to their students? (2) Why is it important to keep classical music in string pedagogy? (3) How have these teachers, their peers, students, and community reacted to multistylism? The interviews revealed four major points of motivation: Opportunities for developing creativity and finding a personal voice …

Pre-Service Music Teachers' Perspectives Of Experiences In An Informal Music Learning Group, Veronica Jane Sharpe

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Pre-service music teachers’ undergraduate preparation is often geared towards formal music making (i.e., large conductor-led ensembles). However, recent research suggests that many school-aged students are making music in informal settings (e.g. garage bands) outside of school. Despite a recent influx of research in informal music learning, there is little information on pre-service music teacher’s opinions towards and preparedness in incorporating informal music making into the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine how pre-service music teachers’ informal music learning experiences shaped their perspectives on the importance of informal music learning and its role in the classroom. For this …