Degree Name
M.Ed. (Master of Education)
Program
Curriculum and Instruction
Date of Award
5-2024
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Lori Meier
Committee Members
Laura Robertson, Ryan Nivens, Lauren Ramey
Abstract
Music participation, specifically in an ensemble setting, is known to promote learning and social skills and to contribute to a well-rounded overall education. With this in mind, this qualitative, constructivist grounded theory study explored the impacts that participating in chorus, band, or orchestra has on students’ overall experience in middle school, with a focus on joy and identity development. The researcher interviewed fifteen students about their personal experiences and feelings about their lives as middle schoolers and musicians. The findings, shared in six theoretical concepts tied to the research question, reveal important facets of these students’ experiences that shed light on the value of music education and ensemble opportunities at the middle school level. The discourse shared by the participants communicates to educators and other stakeholders how critical music is to their individual and school lives, and how different the experience might be without it.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Amburgey, Kailee, "A Bright Point in a Dull Day: A Qualitative Exploration of Middle School Students’ Perceptions of Music Ensemble Participation" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4360. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4360
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Music Education Commons, Secondary Education Commons