Master of Music Plan B Project Papers
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This collection contains some of the final works (Plan B project papers) produced by master's degree students in the Master of Music (including Master of Music in Music Education) graduate program, which was discontinued in spring 2024.
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Item Opinions of Minnesota Choral Directors Regarding Classroom Management(2005-09) Sandness, Dorothy JThe purpose of this study was to determine the views of public school choir directors regarding effective choral classroom management. Although it may be argued that a classroom management strategy may be central to a choir’s success, few research studies were found regarding the different methods choir directors might use. The subjects for this inquiry were eight choir directors from the upper Midwest (US). Interviews were conducted, inquiring about subject’s opinions regarding their pre-service training in classroom management, the classroom management strategies they employ, and the relationship between classroom management and ensemble success. Subjects were also asked to describe their grading policy (i.e., daily attendance, participation, and participation in concerts). Results were presented in narrative form and in tables. The results of this study highlighted the close relationship between effective teaching and classroom management. All the respondents agreed that a successful classroom management strategy is a critical element in helping choirs succeed, but that they did not receive adequate training in this area as undergraduate music education majors. When managing students’ behavior in the classroom, the majority of those interviewed indicated that speaking individually with disruptive students was preferable to a public confrontation. Maintaining a professional relationship with students and protecting the dignity of students were paramount. All of the directors interviewed included some assessment of student behavior in their grading policies, and indicated that this was an integral part of their classroom management systems. Most of the directors interviewed recommended that there should be more specific training in classroom management in the undergraduate curriculum, instead of new teachers having to learn classroom management skills “on the job”. Further discussion may lead to more undergraduate institutions requiring explicit instruction in this subject. It is also recommended that choir directors use this study to develop a classroom management strategy that is most appropriate for their choirs.Item Film Music and Wind Band Repertoire: The Opinions of High School Band Directors(2004-03) Hintzman, MichaelSelecting appropriate repertoire seems to be an issue of ongoing interest among wind band directors. Since the curriculum of a wind ensemble is largely determined by the repertoire, one can make the argument that choosing the music to be performed may be the most important decision that the conductor can make. Although symphonic film music and film music arrangements for these ensembles are readily available, few studies appear to exist regarding the role of film music within the wind band repertoire. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the opinions of high school band directors regarding their use of film music arrangements in their concert programs throughout the regular school year. The subjects for this investigation were high school band directors from three north midwestern states. A questionnaire was sent to approximately 500 high school band directors in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The subjects were asked to provide their opinions regarding appropriate venues for film music performance, the quality of film music transcriptions or arrangements for wind band and the influence of film music and film composers on wind band composers and compositions. The respondents were also given the opportunity to offer general opinions about the general topic of film music and wind band repertoire. The results of this study showed that there is agreement among subjects that a “Non-Pops” concert is an appropriate venue for film music performance while a music contest or festival is not an appropriate venue for film music performance. The results also showed that the directors believed that film music arrangements are of high quality and that this music has artistic value in addition to popular appeal. Very few respondents reported that they program film music more today than they did five to eight years ago. Most of the directors would like to see some of the older film scores arranged for the wind band and that film music has influence wind band compositions. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that there be more professional discussion about film music transcriptions/arrangements for the wind band. More discussion may lead to a recognition of high quality film music music that could be programmed on a regular basis. It is also recommended that if film music is programmed, the arrangement’s musical value rather than short term popularity should be a selection factor.