The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to show how Expert Team Theory can explain the application of goal orientated rehearsal strategies which were designed for this study for an ad hoc ensemble at the School of Music of the North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The case study was considered as the most suitable research method to investigate the ways in which goal-orientated rehearsal strategies influence dynamics during rehearsals of a new music ensemble, and the experiences by the members of their interaction, because this approach allowed me to investigate these strategies in a real world environment. This study was born out of an interest in rehearsal strategies and in different ways to structure music rehearsals. The characteristics of a new music ensemble determined the use of Expert Team Theory as the theoretical basis for the design of the goalorientated rehearsal strategies. These characteristics correspond well with that of an expert team as “a set of interdependent team members, each of whom possesses unique and expert-level knowledge, skills, and experience related to task performance, and who adapt, coordinate, and cooperate as a team, thereby producing sustainable and repeatable team functioning at superior or at least nearoptimal levels of performance” (Salas et al., 2006:439-440). Based on interviews with the participants and the observations of video recordings of the rehearsals, the results show that interpreting the data through the theoretical lens of Expert Team Theory enabled me to explain the rehearsal process as a dynamic confluence of experiences created through the interaction of the ensemble members who grew through increasing cooperation and coordination to resemble an expert team. Their sense of collectiveness and their trust coupled with strong leadership allowed the success of the strategy of prebrief-performance-debrief. The ensemble developed progressively clearer shared mental models and understandings of roles and responsibilities. A clear, valued and shared vision helped them to manage and optimize performance outcomes. The findings are also interrogated in terms of cooperative learning to further explain the web-like way in which different themes developed. This led to a discussion of the limitations of this study and suggestions for further research. / MA (Performance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to show how Expert Team Theory can explain the application of goal orientated rehearsal strategies which were designed for this study for an ad hoc ensemble at the School of Music of the North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The case study was considered as the most suitable research method to investigate the ways in which goal-orientated rehearsal strategies influence dynamics during rehearsals of a new music ensemble, and the experiences by the members of their interaction, because this approach allowed me to investigate these strategies in a real world environment. This study was born out of an interest in rehearsal strategies and in different ways to structure music rehearsals. The characteristics of a new music ensemble determined the use of Expert Team Theory as the theoretical basis for the design of the goalorientated rehearsal strategies. These characteristics correspond well with that of an expert team as “a set of interdependent team members, each of whom possesses unique and expert-level knowledge, skills, and experience related to task performance, and who adapt, coordinate, and cooperate as a team, thereby producing sustainable and repeatable team functioning at superior or at least nearoptimal levels of performance” (Salas et al., 2006:439-440). Based on interviews with the participants and the observations of video recordings of the rehearsals, the results show that interpreting the data through the theoretical lens of Expert Team Theory enabled me to explain the rehearsal process as a dynamic confluence of experiences created through the interaction of the ensemble members who grew through increasing cooperation and coordination to resemble an expert team. Their sense of collectiveness and their trust coupled with strong leadership allowed the success of the strategy of prebrief-performance-debrief. The ensemble developed progressively clearer shared mental models and understandings of roles and responsibilities. A clear, valued and shared vision helped them to manage and optimize performance outcomes. The findings are also interrogated in terms of cooperative learning to further explain the web-like way in which different themes developed. This led to a discussion of the limitations of this study and suggestions for further research. / MA (Performance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Studien utforskar hur min livsvärld påverkades och förändrades då jag undersökte mina strategier för saxofonövning. Utgångspunkten för studien utgår från instuderingen som gjordes av Paul Bonneaus stycke Suiet pour saxophone alto et piano och de loggboksanteckningar som skrevs i samband med varje övningspass. Denna kvalitativa studie genomfördes utifrån ett livsvärldsperspektiv som kommer ur den fenomenologiska filosofin. Analysen av instuderingsprocessen kretsade kring mina reflektioner över hur jag ser på övning utifrån min livsvärld. I resultatet framkommer ett mönster som visar en övergång från negativt tänkande till mer positivt tänkande. Resultatet visar hur min livsvärld förändrades då jag undersökte de strategier som användes under instuderingen. Resultatet visar också hur jag med hjälp av forskning och litteratur har öppnat upp min livsvärld och ändrat mina tankegångar under skrivprocessen. Slutligen diskuterar jag resultatet i förhållande till litteratur och tidigare forskning inom området. / The study explores how my life-world was affected and changed when I examined my strategies for practicing saxophone. The starting point for the study is how I learned to play Paul Bonneaus piece Suiet pour saxophone alto et piano, and the logbook notes connected to each exercise session. This qualitative study is based on a life-world perspective coming from the phenomenological philosophy. The analysis of the rehearsal process revolved around my reflections on how I, in my life-world, perceived the exercises. The result shows a pattern of a transition from negative thinking to more positive thinking, and how my life world changed when I examined the strategies used during my practice. The result also shows how the research and literature opened up my life-world and changed my way of thinking during the writing process. Finally, I discuss the results in relation to literature and previous research within the field.

The trumpet ensemble has increasingly become a popular chamber ensemble inside music programs at the secondary and collegiate level. Chamber music ensembles are frequently guided by both democratic processes and ensemble coaches with limited chamber music experience. As trumpet ensembles grow in popularity, pedagogical resources are needed to guide rehearsals. This project serves as a guide for educators and performers to focus on fundamental issues related to trumpet ensembles as well as strategies for ensemble rehearsal.