Date of Award

7-1-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music (MMUS)

Department

Music

Abstract

This research suggests that the researcher designed Instrumental Music Survey (IMS, 1999) can be a valid predictor of student success in instrumental music. This study completed in the Omaha Public School District, Omaha, Nebraska, used subjects whose background varied in terms socioeconomic, race, urban, and suburban areas. The first hypothesis examined the reliability of the IMS. Using the Spearman Brown reliability formula, reliability of the IMS was found to be .734. Using the Watkins-Farnum Performance Scale (WFPS, 1954) as a measure of the student's success in instrumental music, the researcher found that a good correlation exists between the students' scores on the IMS and WFPS. This correlation coefficient was found using Pearson correlation coefficient, and determined the coefficient was .427. An ancillary hypothesis analyzed if previous instrumental music experience is a good predictor of success in another area of instrumental music. Using an effect size formula, the researcher found that students with previous instrumental music would perform better than 66% of students without instrumental music experience. Factors exist which may prevent the student's success on an instrument such as; 1) the student's physical characteristics are incorrect for the instrument, 2) parental support for the student's success in instrumental music, and 3) the student's motivation to become successful in instrumental music.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Department of Music and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Music University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright 2001 Victoria Van Beusekom.

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