Graduate Theses

The Master of Arts final project and the research leading up to it are the logical outcomes of a student’s graduate study and professional experience. Because of the diverse background and experience of the University of St. Thomas Graduate Programs in Music Education (GPME) faculty, students are able to undertake research using qualitative, quantitative, descriptive, historical, philosophical, or theoretical methodologies. Consequently, whereas all students demonstrate the ability to integrate ideas and communicate their findings, some will develop, test, and evaluate a music education problem, while others will gather and interpret historical, descriptive, or philosophical data. Completing the final project is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the field of music education, with additional goals of providing information that will be a meaningful and relevant resource to colleagues in the program and to the author.

Click here to visit the M.A. Final Project Abstract Archives

	Current Abstracts	Researcher
	The Nature of Contest Organization Procedures for Minnesota Class AA Band Contests · 04/22/2013 The purpose of this project was to document and examine the organizational details of the eight AA Regions of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) band contests.	Keith J. Koehlmoos
	The Creation of a Kodály-Inspired Choral Collection for Treble Voices · 03/20/2013 The selection of quality repertoire is a core principle for teaching in a Kodály-inspired music classroom.	Heidi Kathryn McIlroy
	Teaching Melodic Literacy Through the Orff and Kodály Approaches: The Development of a Curriculum for Kindergarten Through Fourth Grades · 12/10/2012 As music educators, we are responsible for giving our students a balanced and sequential education in the field of music.	Alison Capelle
	Develping Musicianship Through Folk Dance: The Analysis and Teaching Process · 12/10/2012 Folk dance in the elementary music classroom is commonly utilized for its emphasis on community building, problem solving and strengthening elemental musical concepts.	Kristen J. Roemer
	The Presence of Classical Music in Evangelical Church Choirs · 12/06/2012 The purpose of this paper is two-fold: to investigate the history of non-denominational, evangelical church music in America and its influence on church choirs of the same; and to begin a collection of classical music appropriate for evangelical church choirs.	Rebecca Peterson
	The American Kodály Educator as Song Collector: Zoltán Kodály’s Beliefs on Folksongs and the Definition of the Twenty-First Century American Folksong · 12/05/2012 Folk music is a staple in the Kodály method of music education.	Elizabeth Johnson Camozzi
	An Exploration of the Bodymind and Voice Approach to Voice Education in the Middle School Choral Setting · 12/03/2012 The intent of this study was to review the philosophies, science-based beliefs, and fundamental voice education topics found within the book set, Bodymind and Voice: Foundations in Voice Education, while also providing practical applications for use in the middle school choral setting.	Shannon Elizabeth McCauley
	A Sequential Process for Developing Part-Singing in Beginning Mixed-Voice Middle School Choirs · 11/30/2012 The intent of this paper is to synthesize current methods of part-singing development in order to create a new sequential process for developing part-singing specifically designed for beginning mixed-voice middle school choirs.	Sheri Lieffring
	Teaching Guitar in a Kodály-Inspired Elementary Curriculum · 11/28/2012 The purpose of this study was to research classroom guitar instructional strategies, as well as the history of the use of instruments in the elementary general music classroom.	Jill E. Bradford Baller
	How Rocking Out Transformed My Music Teaching · 11/28/2012 This article reviews scholars' breakdown of the advantages of the informal music learning environment as support for the authors' recommendation to model classroom music learning after popular musicians' methods.	Jessica Perry
	Bullying and Adolescent Participation in Choir · 11/21/2012 Using literature from a variety of sources, this paper explores the nature of bullying and its effect on male participation in choir.	Benjamin Perry Waltz
	Connecting the Elementary Music Classroom and the Home Environment · 11/16/2012 The purpose of this project was to provide elementary music teachers with specific, practical examples and strategies to build a bridge of mutual respect with families to optimize the musical learning and growth for students.	Megan Anne Zillgitt
	Praise With the Timbrel and Dance: Incorporating Orff Schulwerk into Liturgy · 11/15/2012 The intent of this study was to explore effective strategies to extend and incorporate Orff Schulwerk into the children’s school liturgy.	Jennifer Marie Hall
	The Business of Teaching Music: A Study of How a Franchise Business Model Could Benefit the Field of Piano Pedagogy · 11/14/2012 Private music lessons, particularly those taught in independent or home studios, often lack regulation and accountability.	Mellisa Weinert
	Determining How Parents and Their Children Value Music · 10/29/2012 The intent of this thesis was to determine how parents and their children value music.	Anna Elizabeth Unger
	An Investigation to Explore Forest Lake Area Schools’ Elementary Music Specialists’ Methods of Introducing and Evaluating Students’ Perceptions of Triple Meter · 08/02/2012 A clear, consistent approach to teaching triple meter is necessary to improve students’ perception and understanding.	Lisa Sauer
	Hebraic Repertoire for Treble Voices · 08/02/2012 Many adults continue their professional development throughout their careers.	Amy Jo Cherner
	Course Creation: Methods and Materials for Teaching Piano · 08/01/2012 The intent of this project was to create an undergraduate-level course for students at Crown College in the Bachelor of Music, Piano Concentration degree.	Jennifer Leigh Wohlgemuth
	An Investigation of Current Methodologies of Score Study with an Analysis of Three Band Compositions · 08/01/2012 The purpose of this study was to first examine the benefits of thorough study of a musical work for an instrumental conductor as described by leading figures in the field of conducting and education.	Carrie B. Thompson
	Selected Recordings Influential for Jazz Transcription: A Jazz Listening Library for Developing Jazz Band Students · 08/01/2012 The intent of this project was to provide the resource of a jazz listening library for jazz educators to provide authentic listening opportunities for beginning and developing jazz students.	Jennifer Michelle Tiede
	Implementing, Developing, and Maintaining an Authentic African Music Program in an Elementary School · 07/30/2012 This discussion explored the thoughts and actions taken by one elementary music teacher who made the decision to incorporate an authentic African music program and high-level performing ensemble into her existing school music curriculum.	Katherine J. Crockett
	Chinese Folk Songs for Middle School Choirs · 07/20/2012 The problem of this thesis was to examine Han Chinese folk songs appropriate for use with a middle school choral curriculum.	Gillian Teoh
	A Mlticultural Analysis of the Core Repertoire Taught in the Sioux Falls School District Elementary Vocal Curriculum · 05/26/2012 The purpose of this project was to identify the core singing and listening repertoire according to the Sioux Falls School District elementary vocal music curriculum and pacing guides.	Leonard Owen Davis
	A Repertoire Resource List of Children's Choral Music Analyzed Using the Model of Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir with Select Pedagogical Teaching Plans Using the Model from Educating Young Singers · 05/12/2012 The intent of this project was to provide a collection of Repertoire Resource Guides suitable for children’s choir using the model presented in the Teaching Music through Performance in Choir series, and to offer accompanying song presentation plans for select pieces as a means to demonstrate the application of the information provided in the resource guides.	Sarah Ludwig Cohen
	Teaching Rhythm in Beginning Band · 05/01/2012 The intent of this paper is to offer teachers of beginning band students an alternative to teaching rhythm through traditional methods utilizing methods already employed in the elementary music classroom.	Amalie Niethammer
	Differing Approaches to Teaching Music: Comparing Dalcroze, Kodály, and Orff · 05/01/2012 The intent of this paper is to compare the leading philosophies for teaching elementary general music: Dalcroze, Kodály, and Orff.	Emily Smith
	Findings in Music Cognition · 04/25/2012 A growing body of research suggests that music is a specifically human, rather than natural phenomenon.	Mark H. Bussey
	Iconic Notation in the Elementary Music Classroom: Connecting Sound to Symbol · 04/23/2012 The intent of this study was to examine iconic notation and its application in teaching musical literacy skills in the elementary music classroom.	Andrea Halverson-Forsberg
	Alligning the Cedar Falls High School Vocal Music Curriculum With the Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW) Method Using the Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance Method · 04/23/2012 The purpose of this project was to incorporate the Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance Method into the Cedar Falls High School Vocal Music Curriculum.	Eliott Kranz
	The Role of the Music Minister As An Educator · 04/23/2012 The role of the music minister has been the topic of discussion in the last forty years among educational institutions as well as churches.	Richard C. Voth
	The Affect of Piano Accompaniment on Pre-Adolescents' Pitch Accuracy During a Vocal Warm-Up · 04/10/2012 The intent of this investigation was to examine pre-adolescents’ pitch accuracy during a vocal warm-up and the affect of piano accompaniment on the students’ pitch accuracy.	Darcy A. Morrissey