High School Band Students’ and Directors’ Perceptions of Verbal and Nonverbal Teaching Behaviors

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.

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Blocher ◽  
Richard Greenwood ◽  
Bentley Shellahamer

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.


Author(s):  
Karen M. Koner ◽  
Abigayle Weaver

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of mindfulness practices on high school band students. This action research project took place in spring 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders. Four students enrolled in the high school band participated in five weeks of mindfulness practice interventions over the virtual format alongside their instrumental music director. Mindfulness practices included diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation imagery, cued relaxation, and stretching. Throughout the five weeks, student participants discussed improved focus, improvement of stress management, and increased frequency of mindfulness practice. However, four months after data collection was complete, three of the four student participants continued to practice mindfulness techniques on their own time to assist with nervousness, anxiety, and stress.


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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christin Reardon MacLellan

The purpose of this study was to explore personality type differences among high school band, string orchestra, and choir students according to ensemble membership. Participants ( N = 355) were high school students who had participated in their school’s band, orchestra, or choir for 1 year or more. The author administered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to determine the personality type for each participant. Personality types were compared among the three ensembles as well as with published MBTI high school norms. Results indicated that personality type differences existed among the ensembles and that there were significant differences in the comparisons with MBTI norms. A significant personality type difference was found between orchestra and choir students along the Extraversion-Introversion dichotomy, indicating that choir students were more likely to be Extraverted when compared to orchestra students. There were no significant differences among the ensembles on the Sensing-Intuition, Thinking-Feeling, or Judging-Perceiving scales. Compared to high school norms, the students in each ensemble were significantly more likely to be Intuitive and Feeling. The band students were significantly more likely to be Perceiving, and the choir students were significantly more likely to be Extraverted.


2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy L. Kuntz

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the music activities that high school band students are involved in and how these activities might lead to lifelong music participation. Specific research questions were the following: (a) In what activities are high school band students involved? (b) What are high school band directors doing to encourage lifelong participation in music? (c) How do students describe their plans for musical involvement in the future? Three focus group discussions at one rural school ( n = 5), one suburban school ( n = 5), and one urban school ( n = 4) were conducted to discover ways students participated in music activities beyond the school day. These opportunities ranged from cultural groups, to community youth events, to time with friends listening to music. Influences of family members and the desire to maintain connections seem to be beneficial in creating musicians with a desire for music participation as adults.


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


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