This study traces the development of violoncello bowing technique in France, Austria and Germany between the years 1785-1839. Using evidence obtained from contemporary violoncello methods, periodical reviews, iconographic materials, diaries, letters, musical manuscripts, first-edition performance repertoire, and first-hand research at the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institute and University of California at Berkeley, the technical methodology of each school is examined. By this process, diverse qualities in the playing manner of J. P. Duport, J. L. Duport, Janson, Tricklir, Breval, J. H. Levasseur, Lamare, Hus-Desforges, Baudiot, Norblin, Vaslin and Franchomme, and that of A. Kraft, Ritter, Romberg, N. Kraft, Dotzauer, Lincke, Bohrer, Merk and Kummer are discernible. Such divergences in bowing technique form the basis of dissimilarities present in French and Austro-German violoncello performance of 1785-1839, a circumstance occasioned by a variety of contributing factors. These issues are segregated for investigation. Following the Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2 provide background information regarding the development of the instrument, bow, and bowing techniques before 1785. Chapter 3 discusses design modifications that occurred to the instrument and bow between 1785 and 1839. Chapters 4 and 5 present the biographies of each of the violoncellists examined, while Chapter 6 discusses the influence of performers from the French violin school and the musician interaction brought about by the French Revolution and subsequent wars. Analysis of the varying performance characteristics of the French and Austro-German schools begins with Chapter 7, this chapter and Chapter 8 surveying the performance methodology of each of the violoncellists included in this study. Chapters 9 and 10 assess the consequential relationship of performance technique to performance repertoire and Chapter 11 summarizes the findings of the accomplished research. These findings detail differences in the performance methodology of the French, Austrian and German violoncello schools in the period 1785-1839. The variants evinced include the manner in which the bow and instrument were held, the type of bowing techniques incorporated into the performance repertoire of each nationality and the method of their execution, the way in which the violoncello's varying sonorities were exploited, and the regard for sound quality and volume by performers of each school. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

This study traces the development of violoncello bowing technique in France, Austria and Germany between the years 1785-1839. Using evidence obtained from contemporary violoncello methods, periodical reviews, iconographic materials, diaries, letters, musical manuscripts, first-edition performance repertoire, and first-hand research at the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institute and University of California at Berkeley, the technical methodology of each school is examined. By this process, diverse qualities in the playing manner of J. P. Duport, J. L. Duport, Janson, Tricklir, Breval, J. H. Levasseur, Lamare, Hus-Desforges, Baudiot, Norblin, Vaslin and Franchomme, and that of A. Kraft, Ritter, Romberg, N. Kraft, Dotzauer, Lincke, Bohrer, Merk and Kummer are discernible. Such divergences in bowing technique form the basis of dissimilarities present in French and Austro-German violoncello performance of 1785-1839, a circumstance occasioned by a variety of contributing factors. These issues are segregated for investigation. Following the Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2 provide background information regarding the development of the instrument, bow, and bowing techniques before 1785. Chapter 3 discusses design modifications that occurred to the instrument and bow between 1785 and 1839. Chapters 4 and 5 present the biographies of each of the violoncellists examined, while Chapter 6 discusses the influence of performers from the French violin school and the musician interaction brought about by the French Revolution and subsequent wars. Analysis of the varying performance characteristics of the French and Austro-German schools begins with Chapter 7, this chapter and Chapter 8 surveying the performance methodology of each of the violoncellists included in this study. Chapters 9 and 10 assess the consequential relationship of performance technique to performance repertoire and Chapter 11 summarizes the findings of the accomplished research. These findings detail differences in the performance methodology of the French, Austrian and German violoncello schools in the period 1785-1839. The variants evinced include the manner in which the bow and instrument were held, the type of bowing techniques incorporated into the performance repertoire of each nationality and the method of their execution, the way in which the violoncello's varying sonorities were exploited, and the regard for sound quality and volume by performers of each school. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank C. Tracz / The following document is research and analysis from the comprehensive examination question based on the Graduate Conducting Recital of Matthew S. Bradford. The recital, performed by the Clay Center Community High School Band, was given in the Martyn/Snodgrass Auditorium of Clay Center Community High School on Monday, January 29, 2007 at 7:30 PM. The repertoire included Yorkshire Ballad by James Barnes, La Virgen De La Macarena arranged by Charles Koff, Provenance by Robert W. Smith, Nessum Dorma arranged by George Hattendorf, and Brighton Beach March by William Latham. This document contains theoretical and historical analysis, and outlines the procedures of planning and performing the graduate conducting recital.

Doctor of Philosophy / Curriculum and Instruction Programs / Jana R. Fallin / In the wake of No Child Left Behind Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2006), educational reforms focused on providing students with effective systematic instruction in reading skills have become a nationwide concern. Report findings from the National Reading Panel (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2000), indicate the establishment of a high quality comprehensive reading curriculum must include the five key components of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension to improve reading achievement. These essential elements, with emphasis on phonemic awareness and phonics skills beginning in pre-kindergarten, are instrumental in the acquisition of early literacy development. The purpose of this qualitative study was directed toward better understanding first grade general music teachers’ perceptions of the role of music education in the attainment of early literacy. Using a multi-site case study design to examine and present an analysis of nine public elementary school music educators from across a Midwestern state, each of which used one of the three elementary general music series currently published, resulted in this collective case study. Data indicated parallels focused on the five key reading components between music and language literacy development processes, with particular emphasis on aural discrimination skills to phonemic awareness. Further findings described the sequential sound before symbol pedagogical practice of music literacy development from the perspective of the nine general music educators to be similar to early reading skills progressions, as they experienced equivalent learning processes. Implications for the educational community and suggestions for further research were discussed.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Jana R. Fallin / Who was Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophius Mozart? He was a child prodigy who dazzled Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses as a young boy and lead an remarkable life in his first ten years. The facts of Mozart’s childhood are known and available, however the vast majority of research is devoted to Mozart’s music, life and career during his adult years. Perhaps the time for a child to begin to realize the importance of Mozart in history would be to create a connection between young Mozart’s daily activities to a student of parallel age. The purpose of the study is to illuminate the life of the child prodigy Wolfgang Mozart using creative digital storytelling for elementary aged students. Due to the awarding of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, research concerning Mozart’s rise and fall in fame was completed in Vienna, Austria, June 21 through July 16, 2010. The resulting focus of the research was to bring awareness to the minds of elementary students of Mozart’s child prodigy years. Using digital storytelling, listening maps, and composition projects, students will step into the world of Mozart as a composer and begin to relate his life to theirs. Data analysis will establish the effective use of digital storytelling to reveal the student’s ability to correlate the boyhood life of Mozart with the master composer. The study was completed in a pilot program in McPherson, Kansas in January 2011.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Gary Mortenson / This Master’s report focuses on analyzing the four works performed on the author’s Master’s recital on April 10, 2011, from a biographical, historical, theoretical, and technical standpoint. These works include André Jolivet’s Concertino for Trumpet, Oskar Böhme’s Concerto for Trumpet in F Minor, op. 18, Tomaso Albinoni’s Sonata á 6 con Tromba, and Manuel de Falla’s Suite of Old Spanish Dances.

Master of Music / Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance / Frank C. Tracz / The following report is a detailed analysis on the following three pieces: Suite in B-flat by Richard Strauss for woodwind chamber ensemble, Two Pieces from Lieutenant Kije by Sergei Prokofiev for brass and percussion ensemble, and a finally Down a Country Lane by Aaron Copland for concert band. The goal of the analysis is to provide rehearsal information for educational purposes. Aspects of the compositions studied include: background information on the composer and composition, a historical perspective, technical and stylistic considerations, and the musical elements. The researchers perspective on philosophy of music education is also stated as well as the importance of choosing quality literature for pedagogical needs and performance. The goal of this report is to aid future conductors in their performances of the literature and for that reason the seating charts for the ensembles, acoustical justifications, as well as rehearsal plans have been included.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank C. Tracz / This document was submitted to the Graduate School of Kansas State University as a partial requirement for the Master’s of Music Education degree. Enclosed is information pertaining to quality literature selection, a music education philosophy, theoretical and historical analyses, and rehearsal plans for the Graduate Conducting Recital of Anna K. Eaverson held on Wednesday, March 19, 2010. The analytical methods used in this document are based on the Blocher/Miles unit studies found in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series as well as macro-micro-macro score analysis. The selections analyzed using these methods include Symphony in Brass by Eric Ewazen, Dances with Winds by Shelley Hanson, and March from Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber by Paul Hindemith.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank C. Tracz / This document was submitted to the Graduate School of Kansas State University as a partial requirement for the Master’s of Music Education degree. It contains the historical, theoretical, performance, and rehearsal consideration, for each of the three pieces that were performed on the Graduate Student Conducting Recital on Wednesday, March 12, 2010. Selections performed on the recital included in the document’s analysis portion include First Suite in E Flat by Gustav Holst, Japanese Overture by Ney Rosauro, and Inferno by Daniel Bukvich. The analysis format for this report is based on the Blocker/Miles Unit Study technique found in the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series, as well as the Tracz concept of macro-micro score analysis. The performances of the Kansas State University Wind Ensemble served as the basis for the technical, musical, and stylistic evaluations and analysis.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank C. Tracz / The following document is research and analysis from the comprehensive examination question based on the Graduate Conducting Recital of Marcus L. Riegel. The recital, performed by the Chapman Middle School Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Bands, was given in the District Gymnasium at the Spring Arts Concert on April 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm. The repertoire included but was not exclusive to Bells of Freedom by David Gillingham, Rising Star by Samuel R. Hazo, Achilles’ Wrath by Sean O’Loughlin, Kenya Contrasts by William Himes, On the Wings of Swallows by Michael Sweeney, and Old Churches by Michael Colgrass. This document contains theoretical and historical analysis- and outlines the procedures of planning and performing the graduate conducting recital.