Constructivism in music education can help teachers and students alike better their educational experience by working as a collaborative team. In the choral classroom, constructivist teaching establishes the teacher as the facilitator of learning rather than the “teacher as conductor.” Teachers help foster the musical-thinking of the ensemble. Students learn and retain information when teachers can support learners’ understanding of musical ideas and work within the student’s zone of proximal development. Through the use of teacher-guided questioning, cognitive apprenticeship, informal music-making, CMP, problem-solving, and Understanding by Design, students become active participants. Included are supplemental activities for the traditional choir classroom that give a sense of how to provide meaningful lessons to students through a constructivist lens. Each activity is objective-based, working from what the students will know or be able to do by the end of the activity, to how to foster the learning in a way that builds past experiences into new experiences.

Researchers agree that teachers are the single most influential school-related factor in a child's level of academic achievement. Teaching style may influence students' academic achievement as well as facilitate students' development of social skills and a sense-of-community within the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between high-school choir directors' (n = 42) teaching-style and their high-school choir students' (n =1,108) psychological sense-of-community. Student participants in grades 9-12 within a mid-Atlantic state were members of a 9th-Grade Chorus (n = 2), Men's Chorus (n = 1), Women's Chorus (n = 8), Select Ensemble (n = 7), or Concert Choir (n = 38). Results from students' scores on the Classroom Community Scale revealed that 9th-grade students reported lower levels of sense-of-community, connectedness, and learning than students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Students in Select Ensembles reported significantly higher levels of sense-of-community, connectedness, and learning than students in Concert Choirs, and students in choirs that performed five or more times per school year reported significantly higher levels of sense-of-community than students in choirs that performed four or less times per school year. Results revealed no main effect for gender, students' years-of-experience in high school choir, or choir-class length and frequency. Teachers' scores on the Music Teaching Style Inventory revealed that teachers preferred the Assertive Teaching (M = 3.80), Nonverbal Motivation (M = 3.75), Time Efficiency (M = 4.33), and Positive Learning Environment (M = 4.27) teaching-styles that focus on teacher-led activities. Music Concept Learning (M = 3.48), Artistic Music Performance (M = 3.46), Student Independence (M = 3.30), Group Dynamics (M = 2.84), teaching-styles with a focus on student-led activities were least preferred by the teachers in this study. Group Dynamics teaching style was a low or the lowest preferred teaching-style for 40 of the 42 participating teachers. Results revealed no main effect for teachers' gender or years-of-experience teaching. Teaching-style preference was not a significant predictor for students' levels of sense-of-community or connectedness. Time Efficiency and Student Independence teaching-styles positively correlated with students' perceived level of learning while the Artistic Music Performance teaching-style negatively correlated with students' perceived level learning. Within teachers' reports of observed student behaviors, teachers identified all four elements of sense-of-community: membership, influence, integration and fulfillment of needs, and shared emotional connection. Teachers also reported purposefully planning activities in order to facilitate their choir students' sense-of-community. Activities included teaching behaviors found within the Positive Learning Environment, Group Dynamics, Artistic Music Performance, and Student Independence teaching-styles. Teachers expressed that a sense-of-community has importance in that it effects students' musical expression; students' ability to achieve their potential for musical performance; students' retention within choir ensembles; teachers' advocacy for choir programs; and student's participation in musical ensembles beyond high school. / Music Education

No description available.

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore stakeholders’ perspectives of two predominantly African American community youth choral organizations. My research questions included: (1) How do participants describe their experiences with the organization?, (2) What benefits and challenges do participants illuminate inside the organization and within the surrounding communities?, and (3) What future do participants envision for the organization within the surrounding communities? Systems thinking (Meadows, 2008; Stroh, 2015) and social systems perspective (Carter, 2011) shaped a conceptual lens that illuminated stakeholders’ perspectives. Each organization was selected because it was intrinsically interesting (Stake, 2005). Unlike many United States community youth choral organizations, these organizations provided academic support, meals, and door-to-door transportation for singers. Participant groups included staff, non-staff, and child singers. Data were collected over 18 weeks through observations of organizational events, including researcher written notes and transcribed voice memos, anonymous online questionnaires for adult participants, individual interviews with adult participants, and focus groups with child singers. Across both organizations, I collected 37 notes from observations, 17 anonymous questionnaires, 18 adult interviews, and nine focus groups with 21 child singers. I analyzed data through the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1999), and verified the data analysis through triangulation between data forms and stakeholder groups (Stake, 2005), prolonged engagement and persistent observation (Lincoln & Guba, 1985), and peer coding. Findings from each case included a rich description of the organization, a narrative describing a child singer’s typical day, an analysis of how each domain of community music programs emerged, benefits and challenges identified within and across participant groups, and participants’ future visions for the organization. The final chapter comprises a cross-case analysis, focused on a comparison of the cases including overlapping themes and discussion. In the cross-case analysis, participants’ experiences were largely positive, accentuating how unique these organizations were to their communities. Participants shared how the organizations achieved dynamic equilibrium through evolving to meet stakeholders’ interests and needs. Participants described these organizations as socially engaging through building relationships, feeling like family, traveling with the organization, and meaningful summer camps. Challenges included connecting stakeholders across racial identities and funding. Because staff leaders engaged stakeholders from an assets-based approach, these organizations serve as models for choral organizations engaging with marginalized communities. By involving child singers, their families, and broader stakeholders in decision-making. choral leaders across the United States may improve organizational responsiveness. Additionally, engaging with stakeholders through assets-based philosophies honors the diverse and sometimes contradictory experiences of stakeholders, especially those from marginalized backgrounds and identities. Suggestions for future research included using Schippers and Bartleet’s (2013) framework to analyze additional music organizations, Bartleet’s (2023) framework to evaluate organizational progress toward desired social outcomes, and systems thinking to promote asset-based solutions for music programs and organizations. / Music Education

The purpose of this survey is to evaluate the contribution that the Westminster Choir movement has made to choral music in the United States today. It is hoped after the contributions have been stated by the investigator that the important position Westminster Choir College is occupying will be better understood.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T17:06:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 NAJLA.pdf: 658506 bytes, checksum: 9087eed580f81bb75b7e69ec214dc834 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research sought to understand how choir practice occurs and the roles this activity plays in five elementary schools in the city of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The following specific objectives were established: map the elementary school choirs in the city of Florianopolis; identify how the choir practice is embedded in public and private schools; know the characteristics of different school choir groups; analyze the goals of principals, conductors, students and families in regards to the choir practice performance and identify possible relationships between the practices performed by the choirs and the roles they take in their respective contexts. In the literature review, there were different elements on school choir practice, highlighting the functions of music performed in society and schools. It was considered the social roles of music mainly as categorized by Alan Merriam, including other authors who also study the subject. The methodology used was the multiple case study within a qualitative approach. The instruments of data collection were observations, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. In each context we sought to understand the conceptions of principals, conductors, singers and families involved in this activity in the schools surveyed. These data were transcribed, organized and analyzed from three categories: 1) the choir as an extracurricular activity; 2) who could sing in the choir and 3) repertoire and rehearsals. The results reveal the existence of only twelve choirs among the ninety-nine elementary schools identified in Florianopolis. These choirs are all inserted as extracurricular activities in these institutions. Among the five choirs surveyed, some similarities and differences were identified in regards to the functions they perform in each context. In general, roles of institutional validation, contribution to societal integration and entertainment were predominant. The knowledge of these roles may contribute to better understand how this practice occurs in each school favoring decisions that enhance even more the offered proposals. Furthermore, the analysis and reflection in this work can foster understanding the relevance, presence and expansion of the choir practice as a tool for school music education / Esta pesquisa buscou compreender como ocorre a prática coral e que funções esta atividade exerce em cinco escolas de ensino fundamental no município de Florianópolis, no estado de Santa Catarina. Foram estabelecidos os seguintes objetivos específicos: mapear os corais das escolas de ensino fundamental da cidade de Florianópolis; identificar de que forma a prática coral está inserida nas escolas públicas e privadas; conhecer as características de diferentes grupos corais escolares; analisar os objetivos dos diretores, regentes, estudantes e familiares com relação à prática coral realizada; e identificar as possíveis relações entre as práticas realizadas pelos corais e as funções que estes exercem em seus respectivos contextos. Na revisão de literatura foram apresentados diferentes elementos sobre a prática coral escolar, destacando-se as funções da música exercidas na sociedade e na escola. Foram consideradas as funções sociais da música categorizadas principalmente por Alan Merriam, incluindo outros autores que também estudam o assunto. O caminho metodológico utilizado foi o estudo de casos múltiplos dentro de uma abordagem qualitativa. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram observações, entrevistas semi-estruturadas, grupos focais e questionários. Em cada contexto buscou-se compreender as concepções dos diretores, regentes, coralistas e familiares envolvidos nesta atividade nas escolas pesquisadas. Estes dados foram transcritos, organizados e analisados a partir de três categorias: 1) o contexto pesquisado; 2) o coral como atividade extracurricular e 3) práticas realizadas. Os resultados revelam a existência de apenas doze corais entre as noventa e nove escolas de ensino fundamental identificadas no município de Florianópolis. Estes corais estão todos inseridos como atividades extracurriculares nestas instituições. Entre os cinco corais pesquisados foram identificadas semelhanças e diferenças com relação às funções que os mesmos desempenham em cada contexto. De maneira geral, predominam as funções de validação das instituições, de contribuição para a integração da sociedade e de entretenimento. O entendimento dessas funções poderá contribuir para a compreensão mais aprofundada sobre como esta prática ocorre em cada escola favorecendo a tomada de decisões que aprimorem ainda mais as propostas oferecidas. Além disso, a análise e a reflexão realizadas neste trabalho poderá fomentar o entendimento da relevância, da permanência e da ampliação da prática coral como ferramenta para a educação musical escolar

No description available.

Résumé : Le chant choral serait bénéfique à tout âge : cette étude choisit d’en mesurer les impacts auprès de personnes très âgées. Un devis quantitatif quasi-expérimental à trois groupes fut adopté : la Chorale, l’Hebdo-Bistro (ateliers et conférences, groupe de comparaison), et le groupe Témoin. L’étude longitudinale, intergénérationnelle, comporta trois saisons. La cognition (Mattis, 3MS, Trail Making, empan numérique, fluences formelle, catégorielle), l’humeur (bien-être général, dépression (GDS)), l’autoefficacité (GSES) et l’autonomie (QAF) furent mesurées à trois reprises (pré, post, 2e post). En outre, des mesures hebdomadaires furent administrées concernant la santé physique (consultations médicales, médicaments, chutes) et la participation sociale (activités). L’analyse intergroupe ne rapporta aucune différence significative. Les comparaisons intragroupe montrèrent une amélioration significative pour la Chorale (3MS et activités sociales), et une tendance d’amélioration pour la Chorale et l’Hebdo-Bistro (fluence formelle). Bien que le petit échantillon (n=21) exclue toute généralisation, les résultats demeurent inspirants en contexte de vieillissement populationnel. / Abstract : Choir singing is known to be beneficial : this study chose to measure its impacts on elderly people. The quantitative and quasi-experimental design included three groups : the Choir, Hebdo-Bistro (conference workshops), the comparison group, and the Control group. This longitudinal, intergenerational study lasted for three seasons. Cognition (Mattis, 3MS, Trail Making, Numeral WAIS Scale, Formal and Categorical Fluences), humor (Psychological Well-being of American Adults, Geriatric Depression Scale), self-efficacy (Schwartzer), and autonomy (QAF questionnaire) were administered three times (pre, post, 2nd post). In addition, weekly measurements were administered on health related topics (medical consultations, medication, falls) and social participation (activities). The analyses showed no significant differences between groups. However, the intra-group analyses showed a significant improvement for the Choir (3MS, social activities), and a tendency for improvement (Formal Fluence) for the Choir and Hebdo-Bistro groups. The small sample (n =21) excludes any generalization, but the results are promising in today’s aging context.

These eight were selected as typical lyrics to meet the diverse interests of students in the intermediate grades and to aid the teachers of those students in transmitting desired precepts and ideals. The poems are short and varied in verse form. The subject matter ranges from pirates and fairies to one's own conscience and Christmas; the moods, from whimsicality and nonsense to patriotism and reverence. The marked poetic devices influencing the choice of these particular lyrics are their rhythmical and alliterative quality; their rich, lively, yet correct language; their vivid imagery; their emotional appeal; and in a few cases their narrative quality.

Esta dissertação pretende apresentar um histórico contextualizado e comentado de trabalho de coro infantil realizado em Milão, na Itália, com o Coro Curumim da Associação Cultural Cantosospeso, entre 1993 e 2003, assim como um estudo sobre as estratégias lúdicas utilizadas e a concepção de seu repertório multicultural de canções. Ressaltando a importância dessas estratégias lúdicas, tanto para o trabalho mais técnico, voltado aos modos de cantar tal repertório, como para a compreensão sociocultural do cantar e do fazer musical em geral, sobretudo no âmbito que circunscreve a concepção musical e sociocultural de cada povo contemplado nas canções que compreendem o cancioneiro empregado e das próprias crianças envolvidas, pretendeu-se contribuir para o desenvolvimento da área de canto coral infantil e, por que não dizer, da educação musical, e compartilhar com regentes corais, educadores musicais e estudantes de música, principalmente, uma experiência que consideramos formadora e transformadora. / This dissertation aims to provide a contextualized, commented history of a children\'s choir work performed in Milan, Italy, with the Curumim Choir, a group of Cantosospeso Cultural Association, between 1993 and 2003, as well as a study on the ludic strategies used and the design of its multicultural songs repertoire. Underscoring the importance of these ludic strategies for both the more technical work, focused on ways to sing this repertoire, and the sociocultural understanding of singing and music making in general, especially in the context that circumscribes both the musical and the sociocultural conception of every people contemplated in the songs that comprise both the repertoire employed and the children involved, it is intended to contribute to the development of the children\'s choir area, why not say, music education, and share with choir directors, music educators and music students, mainly, an experiment we consider formative and transformative.