Content area
Abstract
This study examined collegiate wind band conductors' degree of agreement with philosophical tenets of “Music Education as Aesthetic Education” (MEAE). Conductors' beliefs and attitudes toward MEAE were determined utilizing the Philosophical and Rehearsal Practices Survey (PRPS) developed by the researcher. Subjects for the study were 15 wind band conductors teaching at Midwest Region Division I universities which offer a four year-degree in music education, representing two major NCAA conference affiliations. Subjects submitted videotapes of two rehearsals which were reviewed by three expert reviewers while simultaneously manipulating a Continuous-Response-Digital-Interface (CRDI) dial. The dial was divided into six segments representing an array of possible rehearsal strategies. Resultant data were expressed as the mean time, across three reviewers, that conductors utilized rehearsal strategies indicated on the dial.
Conductors' responses on the PRPS indicated a high degree of agreement with philosophical tenets of MEAE. Data from the videotape review indicated that conductors, on average, utilize non-aesthetic-related rehearsal strategies 87 percent of total rehearsal time and aesthetic-related strategies 13 percent of total rehearsal time. A weak, negative correlation was found between the frequency of incorporation of aesthetic-related strategies in actual rehearsal settings and both their degree of agreement with MEAE as well as their educational background. A weak, positive correlation was found between conductors' years of experience and frequency of incorporation of aesthetic-related strategies in actual rehearsal settings, with secondary level experience showing the strongest relationship.
PRPS data provides strong evidence that MEAE is a viable philosophical foundation of music education for collegiate conductors. Resultant data from the videotape reviews indicate that the frequency with which conductors' incorporated strategies designed to develop aesthetic sensitivity into actual rehearsal settings was incongruent with conductors' agreement with aesthetic aims.
