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Abstract - Attitudes, Perceptions, and Conditions Related to High School Orchestra Programs that Include Full Orchestra
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Frost, Robert S. - Published Doctor of Music Education dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 1997
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which, if any, selected variables of attitudes, perceptions, and conditions associated with high school orchestra programs were interrelated, related to, or predictive of, the type of orchestra program offered, i.e. string orchestra only or the inclusion of full orchestra. Data were collected through a national survey of high school orchestra directors. Two hundred thirty-four respondents completed the survey questionnaire. Factor analysis determined that the instrument was valid in measuring teacher attitudes and perceptions and reliable in measuring correlations. Data were treated using descriptive and correlational statistical methods. The findings showed taht full orchestra experiences were included in 78% of the high schools surveyed. Statistically significant differences were found between types of orchestra programs in terms of string student enrollment and teaching; teaching assignment, area of specialization, and teacher gender; teaching assignment and area of specialization, and string student enrollment and school size. Statistically significant correlations were found between the orchestra and the string specialist's knowledge of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, and the non-string teacher's knowledge of string instruments. Other statistically significant correlations were found between string student enrollment, teaching assignment, and the type of orchestra program offered. Statistically significant correlations were also found between the type of orchestra program offered and the orchestra teacher's attitude toward: (a) a full orchestra experience for string students, (b) a full orchestra experience for woodwind, brass, and percussion students, (c) the orchestra teacher's perception of support of the administration for full orchestra, (d) his or her qualification to teach full orchestra, and (e) the flexibility of his or her teaching schedule to allow for full orchestra rehearsals. The findings showed that it is possible to predict (classify) with 73% accuracy, using the validated survey instrument, high school orchestra programs that include full orchestra. Statistically significant predictors included the five teacher attitude and perception variables listed, and string student enrollment.
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