Music Education Commons^™

Toward An Informal Informed Classrooms: Professional Musicians' Informal Music Learning Experiences, Rachel M. Smith

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Authors have studied informal music learning with different age groups. Lucy Green (2005) studied the topic with adolescents and identified it an intuitive and natural way children learn. Chad West and Radio Cremata (2016) studied informal music learning at the collegiate level, and Martina Vasil (2019) studied secondary music teachers who implemented informal music learning strategies in their teaching practices. Informal music learning in adults is relatively under-explored compared to adolescent and collegiate age groups. Utilizing lenses drawn from John Dewey’s curricular ideas to help students find meaning in learning and motivation as viewed through Self-Determination Theory, I sought to …

The Black Ass History Of House Music, Segen D. Assefa

Capstones

Contrary to current thinking, the history of house and techno music is overwhelmingly Black. This capstone was written in collaboration with three members of the house music scene, who have offered their lived experiences and personal anecdotes to help us better understand the true history and culture of the genre, and how marginalized identities in the creative industry suffer through lack of widespread historical knowledge (https://imsegen.com/2023/05/04/the-black-ass-history-of-house-music/).

Beginning Band: First Steps Instructing Students With Wind Instruments, Christine N. Lovell

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

One of the most important moments in beginning band is when a student first learns how to assemble and hold the instrument. As a band director, it is vital to be precise in explaining each element of this process. If steps are skipped over in this process, bad habits can form quickly and will cause more issues for the director. Instrument assembly and holding the instrument are covered in detail to help young band directors know how to explain this process. Additionally, this will help to find the bad habits quickly so problems do not snowball over time. It is …

Mozart & Schikaneder: Production Of Theatre In The 18th Century, Quinne Weinzierl, Miranda Preuss, Haley Tromblee

2022 Festschrift: Mozart's Die Zauberflöte

Die Zauberflöte was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with the libretto written by Emanuel Schikaneder. In this essay, we aim to present our findings regarding Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in relation to the theater culture found in the 18th century. Because of the lack of writing on the production of Die Zauberflöte we aimed our research towards Schikaneder and the general layout of the theater surrounding the time Die Zauberflöte premiered. Using cross referencing and sources from the 18th century, we have put together a general synopsis of how Die Zauberflöte was likely promoted and produced. All of this information comes …

An Analysis Of Allan Holdsworth’S Techniques And Their Application To Fundamental Melodic Devices, James Dasilva

Recital Papers

This thesis analyzes Allan Holdsworth's improvisational style for the purpose of applying his techniques, such as string skipping and omnidirectional fretboard movement, beyond the jazz-rock idiom and expanding the melodic potential of the guitar.

Investigating Mindfulness And Practice Strategies In The K-12 Music Curriculum, Emily Foltz

Honors Projects

The purpose of this project was to uncover how music educators teach students to practice effectively and to discover effective mindfulness tools and strategies that could be used to enhance music practice. My aim was to uncover methods of mindful practice and integrate them into a model for effective music practice that teachers can incorporate into their instruction. The research questions that guided this project include: 1) How are music educators teaching students to practice effectively? 2) How does mindfulness affect music practice? 3) What are effective strategies for teaching mindful instrumental music practice in the K-12 classroom? Is there …

Senior Recital Program Research, Kasey Pennington

Honors Capstones

I performed a vocal recital as part of my final requirements towards my Music Education degree and developed an additional program including research on the works I performed. The program consisted of biographies for composers Haydn, Schumann, Fauré, Obradors, and Beach, additional context on specific songs, and translations of songs not sung in English. I created this program in order to provide more detailed information for audience members who were interested in further enrichment or had particular curiosity for any performed works. This recital was a culmination of my efforts in the vocal department of the School of Music throughout …

Ellerhein Girls' Choir: Seventy Years Of Choral Excellence, Bobby Helms

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

For hundreds of years, choral music has been central to Estonian culture. Prior to its founding in 1918, music and choral singing were deeply ingrained into the hearts and souls of the Estonian people. In 1869, Estonia, known as a nation of singing, held its first song festival. It continues to be held every five years. Thousands of choral members participate as part of the mass choir and join together raising their voices to celebrate the independence of Estonia. Although there are many choirs in Estonia, few have gained the status of Ellerhein Girls' Choir.

Ellerhein’s history of choral …

Cultivating Music Educators For Engaging In Varied Pedagogy Within An Increasingly Pluralistic Society, Maggie Brown

Honors Projects

As society continues to grow increasingly pluralistic, questions arise concerning how to better prepare preservice educators in teacher preparation programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the connections between P12 teachers’ training, experience, and what is being done in the classroom. Three participants were hand-selected for participation due to their proven track record employing varied curricular practice. The participants represented a varied range of areas of expertise and years of experience. After exploring the experiences of these three teachers, themes of (1) getting outside of one’s comfort zone, (2) engaging in musical amateurism, and (3) synergizing traditional and …

The Musical Implementation Of Additive Synthesis, Quinn Ingrassia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper on the musical implementation of additive synthesis seeks to explore and divulge what exactly is additive synthesis and what makes it distinct from other types of synthesis. A part of it is dedicated to making clear and palatable case for additive synthesis and is followed by a discussion of how and why various artists have implemented additive synthesis into their music, and how to recreate their techniques.

An Overview Of The Major Developments In Early American Choral Education Methods: Notation-Centered Versus Sound Before Symbol, Aubrey Mangle

Senior Honors Theses

For the American choral music educator, knowledge of the beginnings and major developments of choral music education is valuable for both instruction and context. This project seeks to fill a gap in the resources available to choral music teachers by providing a brief yet comprehensive overview of the major developments in choral music education in the United States from the establishment of the Jamestown settlement in 1607 to the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929. The discussion will focus on the major figures, pedagogues, published works, and educational philosophies for singing instruction that promoted either notation-centered or sound before …

The Kodály Method: Valid Or Missing The Mark For Developing A Musicking Musician?, Maggie Johnston

Musicology and Ethnomusicology: Student Scholarship

In the ever-evolving world of music education, a handful of “methods” have been identified as favorites, mainly Orff, Suzuki, Dalcroze, and Kodály. These are used in whole or in part in classroom and private music instruction, based on an expected understanding that they produce results. However, these methods are often used without regard for the quality of their delivery, and are relied upon without consideration for the context in which they are delivered. Many music educators are speaking up and analyzing their own teaching, conducting studies, and bettering their understanding of the principles behind these methods. It is from this …

The Psychological Effects Of The Voice Change In Female Students And The Implications Of Current Pedagogy, Brendan A. Kennedy

Honors College Theses

The voice change process is a treacherous time, and the female voice change process is underrepresented in literature and often ignored in classrooms (Sweet, 2018). The purpose of this study is to explore the psychological effects of the voice change process in female students and identify current pedagogical trends as used by current secondary choral music educators. Participants included a) Choral music education students who experienced a female voice change and b) Current secondary choral music educators. Choral music education students responded to a background survey which collected voice change process self-efficacy data. Selected informants underwent semi-structured interviews about their …

Critical And Culturally Sustaining Music Pedagogy, Jason D. Vodicka

Visions of Research in Music Education

Whether by mandate or by personal aspiration, teachers across the United States are compelled to teach in a manner that is culturally relevant to their students. Culturally relevant pedagogy, and its recent iteration, culturally sustaining pedagogy, call for high levels of student achievement, the development of multiple cultural competencies, and the raising of sociopolitical consciousness. Culturally sustaining ped- agogy and critical pedagogy share a focus on connecting to students’ lived experience, empowering students in the classroom and in the world, and developing students’ critical consciousness. As asset-based peda- gogies, both approaches focus on what students know first. This essay defines …

Critical Pedagogy: Commitment, Connection, And Communication, Anthony Bernarducci

Visions of Research in Music Education

Commitment, Connection, and Communication: These words summarize a triangle of opportunity and are the foundations of a Critical Pedagogy. In practice, commitment, connection, and communication are key words for music educators in their daily work with students. This article explores the eight steps of applying Critical Pedagogy—as outlined in Abrahams’s (2005a) model of Critical Pedagogy for Music Education—in relation to communication with administrators, and the ways in which it may aid in connecting within a community.

Critical Pedagogy And Disability: Considerations For Music Education, Ellary A. Draper

Visions of Research in Music Education

Developed by Brazilian Paulo Freire to teach economically disadvantaged adults to read, critical peda- gogy has since inspired others to adapt the model to other subject areas. In the area of music education, Frank Abrahams created the Critical Pedagogy for Music Education (CPME) model and has written about the use of CPME in teacher preparation programs. Scholars in disability studies have also been inspired by critical pedagogy, writing about disability pedagogy. Notably, people with disabilities have historically been omitted from models of critical pedagogy. This article discusses the intersections of critical pedagogy, music education, and disability, and makes recommendations to …

“O Captain, My Captain”: A Pedagogy Of Transformation In The Teaching Of Frank Abrahams, Nicholas Ryan Mcbride

Visions of Research in Music Education

Countless scholars have utilized Critical Pedagogy as a philosophical frame to reorient teaching and learning as, among other things, a conversation between teacher and student. As an educator and theorist, Frank Abrahams has championed a Critical Pedagogy for Music Education that aims for the “acquisition of a critical consciousness, the ability to create meaningful teaching and learning experiences, and the attainment of agency” (Abrahams, 2017, p. 25). For nearly 25 years, I have been in conversation with Frank. He has been my teacher, my colleague, and a dear friend. In these roles, he has lived the pedagogy he teaches, embracing …

Critical Pedagogy As A Pedagogy Of “Love”, Marissa Silverman

Visions of Research in Music Education

Thanks in part to the research and scholarship of Frank Abrahams (e.g., 2005, 2006, 2007, 2019), his welcoming of scholars into the field, as well as his dedication to the development and growth of the music education profession, music teaching and learning maintains particular positions connected to critical pedagogy and the work of Paulo Freire. The purpose of this paper is to extend Abrahams’ work by examining critical pedagogy as a pedagogy of “love” (e.g., Darder, 2000, 2011, 2017, hooks, 2004, Martin, 2004). Additionally, this paper examines personal and political natures of critical pedagogy as love for music teaching and …

Mentorship In Music Education: Youth Chorale As An Incubator For Young Conductors, Ming Luke

Visions of Research in Music Education

Straddling the role of conductor-teacher can be a daunting task for young artists. Providing space to hone both musical and pedagogical skills can lead to transformative moments for young conductor- teachers. As someone who experienced this complementary space first-hand, I can attest to the sustainable effects on one’s teaching and artistry. Moreover, coupled with the potential for merging the development of musical and pedagogical skills is the need for mentorship and modeling. In this article, I outline the ways in which a community youth chorale, the Westminster Conservatory Chorale, served as an incubator for young artists to practice balancing conducting …

Learning To Drive, Daniel Abrahams

Visions of Research in Music Education

Parents serve in many roles, one of which is a mentor. At an early age, I accompanied my father to school and helped sort paperwork, observed choir rehearsals, attended concerts, and watched him mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Unbeknownst to me, I entered into an apprenticeship in the music education community. The present text reflects on how Frank Abrahams transformed my identity as a music educator through mentorship and our collaborative nature outside our father-son relationship. His actions personify not only those of a dad but those of a critical pedagogue. Furthermore, his actions created transformative spaces for me to …

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.

Quite Frankly: Learning From The Pedagogical Art Of Joyful Disgruntlement, Gareth Dylan Smith

Visions of Research in Music Education

In this article, I describe professional encounters with Frank Abrahams, personally and through Abrahams’ writing. The paper includes reflection on Abrahams’ tireless work in testing and pressing the boundaries of normative, small-c conservative music teaching and learning traditions, in Abrahams’ beloved Westminster Choir College and beyond. I recall watching Abrahams teach, both in formal classroom contexts and in other areas of working with students and peers, such as co-authored publications and conference presentations. I recount my role as an unwitting mentee in Abrahams’ careful modeling of critical pedagogical approaches within and without the classroom. Drawing on personal anecdotes and several …

Editorial Volume 40: Frankly Speaking, Cara Faith Bernard

Visions of Research in Music Education

No abstract provided.

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 …

Hybrid Teaching For Music Information Literacy, Taylor Greene

Library Presentations, Posters, and Audiovisual Materials

The Music Information Literacy course taught by the Performing Arts Librarian at Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music has evolved in its format and pedagogical approach over the period of 8 years. In this talk, I discuss this evolution from its inception into its present version; a hybrid of online asynchronous learning modules and in-person instruction and activities. This presentation is an update to a previous talk (2016) and poster (2018) at Music Library Association Annual Meetings, both of which focused on specific aspects of the Music Information Literacy course. I discuss the benefits that became evident during the online …

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 …

Instrumental Music Education In Rural North Carolina: A Descriptive Study, Melody Causby, Catheryn Shaw Foster

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to investigate secondary instrumental music education in rural North Carolina. This descriptive study investigated the experiences, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions that rural instrumental music educators (n = 55) held about their schools, students, and communities. Furthermore, the researchers examined how participants defined success for their programs, what challenges and rewards they experienced in their positions, and what skills they considered most important for themselves as teachers.

Results indicate that although rural music educators find the musical aspects of their positions rewarding, they believe that their nonmusical skills related to teaching, such as developing …

Qui Té Por Dels ‘Rosalía Studies’? Guia De Perplexos, Antoni Pizà

Publications and Research

Molt a principis dels anys noranta del segle XX, quan jo començava a veure la possibilitat de doctorar-me, la musicologia era, si se’m permet una caricatura, una disciplina de capellans i arxivers. A l’Estat Espanyol, per exemple, la carrera oficial encara no existia, si bé hi havia estudis i tesis a algunes escoles de doctorat de filologia o història de l’art. El mot «musicologia», de fet, ni tan sols era acceptat o pràcticament acabava d’entrar en alguns diccionaris prescriptius. Sense estudis reglats, els aspirants a musicòlegs emulaven la feina, la metodologia i les temàtiques dels seus mestres.

Principal Decision-Making And Perception Of Fine Arts Programing In Curricular Design, Osvaldo Altamirano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study included an exploration of the concept of perception affecting decision- making in curriculum design and the support of school administrators toward fine art programs in West Texas School Regions 18 and 19. Research shows that the fine arts provide students the social and creative skills to become productive citizens. However, research shows that in the current realm of urban and rural public school curricula, the fine arts exist at either a limited capacity or are nonexistent. This dissertation included an attempt to answer how a school leader's fine arts perception affects a principal's ability to support, build, …

Making Music Theory Fun, Jordan E. Montana Richards

Masters Theses

This curriculum project will attempt to demonstrate how having fun can facilitate learning music theory. Furthermore, in this project, I also propose that using games, songs, mnemonic devices, and other types of wordplay and edutainment (the marriage of education and entertainment) can combat summer learning loss and other learning gaps or school breaks, in addition to inspiring the motivation, interest, and desire within students to learn. My curriculum project will also claim that by having fun and enjoying their learning, students will be more likely to improve and develop their musicianship skills. Within this curriculum project, I will attempt to …