Attitudes of High School Band Directors and Principals toward Marching Band Contests

1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
George L. Rogers
Author(s):  
Alec D. Scherer

The purpose of this study was to examine inservice high school band directors’ perceptions and applications of democratic rehearsal procedures in concert band rehearsals. Respondents ( N = 216) were members of the National Association for Music Education who were currently teaching concert band at the high school level. Respondents indicated that “identify and describe opportunities for individual and ensemble performance improvement” and “student-led sectionals” were considered the most important democratic rehearsal procedures for their students to experience. These same procedures were also the most frequently used democratic rehearsal procedures. Analysis of open-ended responses revealed that respondents believed student ownership, student engagement, and student growth as musicians and leaders were advantages to implementing democratic rehearsal procedures. Potential disadvantages included issues related to student ability, rehearsal time limitations, unfamiliar classroom dynamics, and availability of classroom resources. Implications for music teachers are discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Whitaker

This study was designed to examine the use and perception of selected teaching behaviors of high school band directors. Videotaped rehearsals of six band directors’ top-performing ensembles were analyzed for conductor magnitude, sequential pattern components, and instructional pacing. Directors and students rated video excerpts of their rehearsals, completed a questionnaire, and participated in interviews. Teaching behaviors were generally consistent with previous research. Student evaluations of excerpts containing drill, all strict conducting, and more teacher talk were rated lowest. Highest rated excerpts contained more or relatively equal amounts of student response and teacher talk, some expressive conducting, and varying facial expressions. Directors rated excerpts containing little variety in facial expression and more or equal amounts of teacher talk highest. Lowest rated excerpts contained drill or structured rehearsal; all or mostly strict, or no conducting; and longer student activity times. Students were able to identify and discuss their director’s teaching behaviors, had a respect for their director’s musical abilities and knowledge regardless of rapport, desired more praise, and thought of disapproving feedback as necessary critique. Directors were most critical of their conducting behaviors, spent time reflecting on their teaching, and believed self-assessment was beneficial to improve one’s teaching.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alec D. Scherer

This dissertation consists of three projects that I designed to examine high school band directors' and collegiate musicians' experiences and perceptions of democratic educational processes within concert band rehearsals. The first investigation is a review of literature about democratic educational principles and their application in non-music and music classrooms. The second investigation is a phenomenological study of collegiate musicians' lived experiences with democratic rehearsal procedures in a concert band setting. Emergent themes included (a) the value of multiple perspectives, (b) ownership and musical agency, (c) engagement, (d) the ability to provide feedback, and (e) concerns with the amount of rehearsal time. The third investigation was a survey study of high school band directors' attitudes toward democratic rehearsal procedures, self-reported use in a typical rehearsal cycle, and perceived disadvantages and advantages. Results indicated that respondents believed several democratic rehearsal procedures were important for their students to experience; however, the frequency of their application was inconsistent. Taken together, results from these three projects indicated that democratic educational principles may be beneficial for students and teachers by providing opportunities for students to (a) actively engage in their learning, (b) exercise their agency, (c) work collaboratively, and (d) develop skills related to musical independence.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gretchen L. Pohlman

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study was designed to examine the mentorship experiences and current mentorship roles of Missouri women high school band directors. Also of interest were the networking habits and personal and professional demographics of this population. Mentorship experiences addressed participants' role as a mentee in past and current professional mentor-mentee relationships, while current mentorship roles addressed their role as a mentor to past and current students. Fifty-four individuals responded to the survey, yielding a response rate of 32.3%. Results indicated that a majority of these Missouri women high school band directors actively mentored current and previous high school and college-aged students. They choose to act as a mentor to students of both like- and cross-genders, yet they do not always view themselves as a mentor. Reasons why some respondents believed in the importance of like-gender mentors was evidenced by three themes: (a) relatable perspective, (b) gendered experiences and professional presence, and (c) positive female mentoring traits. To further build upon their professional relationships, participants used social media and professional conferences as their main networking tools, as well as informal communities of practice


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn K. Orman ◽  
Cornelia Yarbrough ◽  
Sheri Neill ◽  
Jennifer A. Whitaker

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gretchen L. Pohlman

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study was designed to examine the mentorship experiences and current mentorship roles of Missouri women high school band directors. Also of interest were the networking habits and personal and professional demographics of this population. Mentorship experiences addressed participants' role as a mentee in past and current professional mentor-mentee relationships, while current mentorship roles addressed their role as a mentor to past and current students. Fifty-four individuals responded to the survey, yielding a response rate of 32.3%. Results indicated that a majority of these Missouri women high school band directors actively mentored current and previous high school and college-aged students. They choose to act as a mentor to students of both like- and cross-genders, yet they do not always view themselves as a mentor. Reasons why some respondents believed in the importance of like-gender mentors was evidenced by three themes: (a) relatable perspective, (b) gendered experiences and professional presence, and (c) positive female mentoring traits. To further build upon their professional relationships, participants used social media and professional conferences as their main networking tools, as well as informal communities of practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Jason P. Cumberledge

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived influence of social media on high school band students’ future decision to participate in a college marching band. Participants ( N = 158) were high school band students. Results indicated that social media could be influential in high school band students’ decision to participate in a college marching band, as high social media usage rates were reported. Results also indicated that personal communication, such as face-to-face conversations with family and friends and direct email contact from band directors, strongly influenced their decision to join a college marching band. These results suggest that recruitment strategies containing direct modes of communication resonate with prospective college students. Suggestions for future research are provided, as social media technology is quickly evolving and investigations are needed to guide and inform the recruitment practices of college marching band programs.


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