The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a singing-aural imitation treatment on collegiate instrumentalists' jazz performance achievement and self-efficacy to play and teach jazz and improvisation. A secondary purpose was to investigate to what extent various background variables might relate to jazz improvisation…

The purpose of this study was to examine psychological well-being outcomes and indicators of university students enrolled in a music ensemble and those not enrolled in a music ensemble. Self-reported data were purposefully gathered from university students in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Along with reporting demographic…

The purpose of this study was to explore several Midwestern middle and high school music educators' perceptions of student-centered teaching approaches, including their perceived suitability for regular use in their ensembles, and the factors thought to influence that suitability. Each case was analyzed individually but only the emergent themes…

Band directors have a strong sense of the traditions of band when they begin teaching. They learned these traditions as students in band and through music education coursework. They also have unique personal histories that influence the ways in which they perpetuate or alter these traditions. The variety of personal and professional experiences…

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to chronicle high school students' creative experiences in a songwriting course. Ten students in Grades 10-12 composed original songs, learned to accompany themselves on keyboard and 'ukulele, and performed their songs in class and at a coffee shop. Data sources consisted of classroom observations,…

Racial disparities in band ratings have existed since schools were integrated, but recent studies have suggested such disparities may be more closely associated with poverty than race. Previous research on school segregation focused on differences between Black and White schools, but the United States has become more diverse since the 1965…

The purpose of this study was to determine what routine aspects of ensemble participation, if any, activated New Horizons members' feelings of belonging. Members of two New Horizons ensembles responded to an anonymous-online questionnaire in which they indicated the degree with which they agreed with statements that linked specific aspects of…

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of short-term mindfulness practices on self-regulation of practice routines in high school instrumental students. We implemented mindfulness techniques prior to at-home practice routines for high school instrumental students (N = 117) over 16 weeks. Using the four-factor model of self-regulation…

Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which variables proposed by the extended TPB (i.e., attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and value of music) were associated with non-music majors' intentions to continue participating in ensembles. The final sample included…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether students who elect to enroll in popular music courses are influenced by different motivational factors than traditional large ensemble participants. A Musical Motivation Questionnaire was distributed to music students attending six high schools that offered both traditional large ensembles and…

The purpose of this study was to examine music education majors' perceptions of lesson planning in the university curricula. Specifically, the author was interested in which classes the respondents were taught to construct and use lesson plans, their perceptions about the importance of lesson planning, and how prepared they felt to use lesson…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the role of enjoyment during group musical activities in the preschool classroom. Data collection included observations using a researcher-created tool and fieldnotes to determine how preschool students demonstrated enjoyment during group activities. Interviews with three preschool…

Practice, skill and competition are important aspects of participating in school bands and orchestras. However, writers have questioned their value. In this philosophical paper, I mine the writings of the American pragmatists--in particular, their theories of habit and experience--to construct a theory of action for instrumental music education,…

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is a sometimes debilitating condition affecting many young musicians as they perform in testing or concert settings. These students may consult their teachers to seek aid in overcoming their anxiety. The purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate the strategies and methods utilized by middle and high…

The purpose of this review of literature was to synthesize findings of studies investigating community bands. This review of literature centers on research that has been conducted on community bands in status studies, historical/cultural studies, pedagogical studies, health and wellness studies, and intergenerational studies. The last section of…