A study of Ohio high school band directors' perceived preparation for teaching high school marching band through participation in a collegiate marching band, marching band technique classes, and methods courses.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to survey Ohio high school marching band directors to obtain their perceptions of need, and their undergraduate preparation, in the area of marching band techniques. It was determined that a questionnaire was the best method to solicit opinions. Responses were solicited from a sample of 400 Ohio high school marching band directors. A total of 226 questionnaires were returned, representing 56.5% of the target sample, of which 214 were usable. Results from the survey indicated that 67.8% of the respondents had taken a full course in marching band techniques as an undergraduate student. The results also revealed that 72.9% of the respondents had participated in a collegiate marching band.;Data were collected regarding twenty-eight teaching factors related to teaching a high school marching band. For each factor participants were asked to define their perceived degree of need for preparation in the undergraduate curriculum. Participants were also asked to indicate their perceived degree of preparation for each factor through coursework in marching band techniques and through participation in a collegiate marching band.;The factors indicated to have the highest degree of need were those from the category "skills for marching band rehearsals" and from the category "marching band music." The factors perceived by the participants to have the highest degree of preparation through coursework were those from the "philosophical" category, and the factors the respondents felt best prepared for through participation in a collegiate marching band were from the category "show design techniques." Respondents indicated a higher degree of need than degree of preparation for all twenty-eight of the teaching factors.;Results indicate that respondents perceived twelve of the factors were best prepared through coursework, while sixteen of the factors were perceived to have been best prepared through participation in a collegiate marching band. For this reason, it would appear as if future instrumental music educators would be best served through coursework in marching band techniques as well as participation in a collegiate marching band.