Date of Award

Spring 5-13-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music (MM)

Department

Music

First Advisor

Doctor Matthew Montague

Second Advisor

Doctor Gloria Flynn

Third Advisor

Patrick Howle

Abstract

Elementary music is a field that many people would agree is important, but the subject does not always get an equal opportunity when stacked up against subjects that are regulated with standardized tests, such as math or language arts. I set out to study elementary music programs in the region where I am employed (the Four State Region of Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma) in the Midwest. Some questions I sought to answer were what types of elementary music curricula are available and popular, and how districts come to select their music curriculum. Additionally, I wanted to examine the school scheduling decisions surrounding elementary music courses, and how such decisions are made. Finally, looking at the elementary music performance traditions played a role in my study as I wanted to explore the merits of performance opportunities for young music students, and how preparing and presenting those performances are integrated with the rest of their school music instruction. My hope in completing this study was to gain new ideas and challenge music educators and their administrators to examine their elementary music programs and look for potential areas of improvement to give young music students the best opportunities possible.

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