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An Exploration of Musical Habits of Alumni from “The Lakewood Project” and How They Musick After High School

Hankins, Elizabeth Aylmer

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Music Education.
An Exploration of Musical Habits of Alumni from “The Lakewood Project” and How They Musick After High School By ELIZABETH AYLMER HANKINS ABSTRACT The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the musical habits of alumni from The Lakewood Project (TLP), a high school rock orchestra whose alumni tend to participate in music making experiences after high school at a high rate. Two lenses were used to explore this phenomenon. First, Christopher Small (1999) defined musicking as a person contributing, in any capacity, to a musical performance or in any activity that adds to the human encounter of music. Second, Situated Learning Theory, a theory derived from the apprenticeship model, stating that students are more inclined to learn when actively participating in their learning. Both components have been the bedrock of TLP environment. Thus, the research questions in this study included (1) the ways in which TLP alumni were motivated and enabled to musick after high school, (2) how TLP learning environment emulated their current musicking environment, (3) what aspects of formal music learning and informal music learning have they continued to use, and (4) what skills or knowledge were missing from their TLP experience. This multiple case study was based on ethnographic data collection techniques and included five TLP alumni. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and participant artifacts. Codes and themes were assigned following data analysis. Themes included musical motivation, voluntary risk-taking, the musical zone, camaraderie, and democratic collaboration. Within-case and cross-case analysis produced overarching themes, including a well-trained ear; arranging, composing, and improvising; knowledge of technology; and the ability to develop and implement performances. Unexpected findings included participants’ motivation to give back to younger musicians and their comfort with failure. Embracing failure as an opportunity to achieve greater success. Because one mission of music education has been to enable students to continue musicking after high school, several compelling implications were drawn from this study. Exposing students to formal and informal learning skills can empower them to make music in all settings and genres. Furthermore, teaching students to self-diagnosis musical problems; communicate musical concerns to others in a constructive way; and create scenarios that build confidence and empower them to take chances may lead to productive jobs and performances.
Nathan Kruse, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Kathleen Horvath, Dr. (Committee Member)
Matthew Garrett, Dr. (Committee Member)
G. Regina Nixon, Dr. (Committee Member)
280 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hankins, E. A. (2017). An Exploration of Musical Habits of Alumni from “The Lakewood Project” and How They Musick After High School [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1492171182633657

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hankins, Elizabeth. An Exploration of Musical Habits of Alumni from “The Lakewood Project” and How They Musick After High School . 2017. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1492171182633657.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hankins, Elizabeth. "An Exploration of Musical Habits of Alumni from “The Lakewood Project” and How They Musick After High School ." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1492171182633657

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)