Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

12-2025

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Pamela Scott

Committee Members

William Flora, Virginia Foley

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of choral teachers on the characteristics of a successful secondary choral program. The study focused on the main characteristics of excellence, success, and sustainability. The literature showed that there was a significant amount of research on the music curriculum, standards, and various assessment strategies but minimal research on perceptions on the characteristics of excellence, success, and sustainability of a choral music program at the secondary level.

Data collection strategies included individual interviews of eight participants who were choral music educators. The analysis of data occurred through the lens of the curriculum and music standards as well as the motivational theory from the MUSIC Model (Jones, 2009). The analysis of the data was based on the theoretical framework provided by the National Association of Music Education. The trustworthiness of the data analysis was protected by the multiple frameworks that were used.

The results revealed that excellence, success, and sustainability had many definitions by each choral music educator participant that was interviewed. There was consistency in terms of the value of a choral music program for students at the secondary level. While excellence, success, and sustainability were identified as the primary factors, the data analysis revealed a broader range of themes reflecting the benefits of the choral music classroom. These included inspiration, creativity, musical significance, leadership, motivation, excitement, a love and appreciation of music, and a deeper appreciation for the arts.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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