Abstract
Research addressing the appropriate age or grade level for entry to beginning band has been heavily focused on retention of music students. The few studies that have focused on the transmission of musical knowledge, performance skill and collaborative ability have focused heavily on Grades 5 and 6 as entry points as a result of shifts to a “middle school” philosophy of grade-level organization. For school districts who continue to use a traditional elementary vs. junior/senior high grade-level organization, no research has provided direction regarding whether or not ensemble instruction should begin in the elementary grades or following a move to a new school. This quantitative experimental-design study seeks to identify the most appropriate grade level of entry to beginning band. Student development in musical knowledge, performance skill and collaborative ability will be compared between students who entered beginning band in Grade 6 prior to a move to a new school for Grade 7 and students who will enter beginning band following their move to the new school in Grade 7. This study will provide evidence that will inform administrators when and how to schedule the initial introduction to ensemble music for students in their school division.
Study Begins in 2017
For details pertinent to the subjects of the study and their parents, or to school and school district administration, visit our participants page.
About the Researcher
Joel Windsor, MME, RMT
Researcher
Joel Windsor is a passionate music educator, arts advocate, community volunteer and Albertan who lives in High River, Alberta. He completed is Masters in Music Education summa cum laude through Boston University in 2015, building on his B.A. in Music and B.Ed. in Music Education through the University of Lethbridge in 2005. He serves with the Town of High River Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, Sheep River Health Trust, Alberta Teachers' Association, the Alberta Society of Music Festival Friends, the Alberta Band Association and the Alberta Music Education Foundation. He currently teaches music at a rural junior-senior High School in High River, Alberta including two community steel pan ensembles and having authored a curriculum for Rock & Pop. His custom-designed software, MusicFestivalSuite.com, has helped music festivals across the province save thousands of volunteer hours providing high-quality musical performance opportunities for youth. He is also in demand as a Master of Ceremonies at many arts and community events, and as a speaker at a number of conferences. His passion is for Arts, Education, and the development of community. His studies and his activities focus on the proliferation of the arts by making the love and enjoyment of music more accessible to all.
For more details about Joel Windsor and his activities, visit www.windyjmusic.com.
Researcher
Joel Windsor is a passionate music educator, arts advocate, community volunteer and Albertan who lives in High River, Alberta. He completed is Masters in Music Education summa cum laude through Boston University in 2015, building on his B.A. in Music and B.Ed. in Music Education through the University of Lethbridge in 2005. He serves with the Town of High River Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, Sheep River Health Trust, Alberta Teachers' Association, the Alberta Society of Music Festival Friends, the Alberta Band Association and the Alberta Music Education Foundation. He currently teaches music at a rural junior-senior High School in High River, Alberta including two community steel pan ensembles and having authored a curriculum for Rock & Pop. His custom-designed software, MusicFestivalSuite.com, has helped music festivals across the province save thousands of volunteer hours providing high-quality musical performance opportunities for youth. He is also in demand as a Master of Ceremonies at many arts and community events, and as a speaker at a number of conferences. His passion is for Arts, Education, and the development of community. His studies and his activities focus on the proliferation of the arts by making the love and enjoyment of music more accessible to all.
For more details about Joel Windsor and his activities, visit www.windyjmusic.com.