R. Nicholas Tobin
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Abstract
Researchers have noted that the
personal attributes of high school all-state participants have not
been probed and have expressed surprise at this void in the music
education literature (Cole, 1986; Fuller, 1989; Welker, 1997). The
purpose of this study was to ascertain, through participant
self-report data, the activities and accomplishments of Massachusetts
all-state musicians in four areas of student endeavor: music,
academics, leadership, and extracurricular activities.
Massachusetts all-state participants are high achievers not only in
music but also in academics, honors, student government, leadership,
athletics, service, and extracurricular activities. Suggestions for
further research include broadening similar studies to other states
and other disciplines to attempt to isolate characteristics of
all-state students.
Article and
References
About the Author
A native of Montana, Nicholas Tobin holds a B.A. from Notre Dame,
an M.A. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. from the University of
Connecticut. After completing his work at Stanford, Dr. Tobin found
himself in the United States Army in Korea during the Vietnam War.
Following a stint in the infantry, a transfer to the Seventh Infantry
Division Bayonet Chorus was ordered, and for the ensuing six months he
toured Korea performing music and theater for both military personnel
and Korean citizens.
Upon his military discharge, Dr. Tobin moved to the Boston area and
was employed for fifteen years in the Milford, Massachusetts public
schools where he taught music at all levels from the first grade
through high school including general music, chorus, music theatre,
and even English, history, and geography.
Upon completion of the Ph.D. in 1990, he taught at Boston
University and then at Regis College and served on the executive board
of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association for over ten years.
In 2002, Dr. Tobin accepted a position at the University of
Massachusetts, Lowell as a professor of music education and
coordinator of graduate studies.
