2019 Juried Research Poster Sessions

‘Everyone is Always Learning’: Case Study of a Suzuki-Inspired Preschool
The purpose of this study was to observe the activities and teacher-child interactions in one preschool in which the Suzuki philosophy was implemented for general education in a holistic manner. Through this case study, we intend to offer a vision for how the co-equal integration of music with other educational content might be applicable in formal early childhood learning settings.
Author: Karin Hendricks, Boston University
Co-Author(s): Madeline Bucci, Boston University College of Fine Arts

A Correlational Study of Performed Intonation, Bow Skew and Bow Placement by String Instrumentalists
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a significant relationship exists between string instrumentalists performed intonation of the Left Hand with specific factors in tone production of the Right Hand.  In addition to investigating the relationship between performed intonation and bow usage, does a relationship exist between a string instrumentalist performed intonation and the average distance of the bow from the bridge. 
Author: David Sogin, University of Kentucky

A Descriptive Profile of Involvement and Beliefs of Elementary Orchestra Parents
Parental involvement in a child’s education is important; it influences and shapes the child’s growth and pursuits. This study helps to understand guardian involvement in their students’ music study, their perceived value of music instruction, and the correlation to the individuals’ own social and cultural capital, by creating a descriptive profile demographically and through their attitudes and beliefs.
Author: Jacqueline Skara, Indiana University

A Historical Analysis of 100 Years of Beginning Heterogeneous String Method Books
Author: Heather Beers, Indiana University

A Literature Review on the Effects of Mindful Music Listening within Tuning Pitch Perception for Stringed Instrument Teachers
The purpose of this literature review was to find prior research that connects studies within the field of mindful music listening to that of stringed instrument teachers’ perception of tuning.
Author: Elizabeth Reed, National String Project Consortium

Alumni Mentoring Within a String Project Site
Through the development of a mentoring program, I sought to further enhance the String Project teacher-training experience, while also creating an ongoing professional community in which current String Project Faculty and Alumni can collaborate beyond their graduation from the University. This project sought to provide increased pedagogical opportunities for novice string teachers while also addressing the isolation that is often experienced by music educators upon leaving the University.
Author: Kelsey Nussbaum, University of North Texas

An Analysis of Consistency in Cello Endpin Lengths Produced by Collegiate Level Cellists
The purpose of this study was to compare the cello endpin lengths produced by collegiate level cellists, and more specifically, determine how consistent cellists are in setting their endpin lengths. Participants (N=13) included undergraduate (n=12) and graduate (n=1) level cellists from a large Southwestern university school of music. Results will be presented related to the consistency of endpin lengths produced by both the overall group of participants, and for each individual participant.
Author: Rebecca Tast, Texas State University


An examination of preservice teachers’ experiences at an urban school and university partnership and impact on their career trajectory and beliefs
Author: Heather Beers, Indiana University
Co-Author(s): Brenda Brenner, Indiana University; Loida Pineda, Indiana University

Analysis of Inservice Orchestra Teachers’ Personality Traits and Repertoire Preferences
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between inservice string teachers’ music preferences and personality traits. Results will indicate the most influential personality traits for predicting inservice orchestra teachers’ preference toward repertoire in the arousal and valence musical attribute dimensions.
Author: David Pope, Elyria City Schools
Co-Author(s): Gail Barnes, University of South Carolina

Community Music in a Foreign Context
The fall of 2018 saw the formation of Warsaw’s first city-wide community orchestra—a community music initiative in a country with little context of community music and limited instrumental music education. This study document’s the ensemble’s aims, development, and role in the greater context of community music and music education in Poland.
Author: Kasia Bugaj, Florida State University

Creating the Critical Edition of the John Blackwood McEwen Sonata for Viola and Piano
This poster presentation will be about creating the first published edition of the Sonata for Viola and Piano by Scottish composer Sir John Blackwood McEwen. Archival research completed in May and June of 2018 in the McEwen Archives at the University of Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland provided insight into the surge of interest the composer had in the viola from 1938-1943, including the Viola Sonata.
Author: Tyler Hendrickson, University of Iowa

Descriptive Study of the Florida Orchestra Association Solo Viola and Double Bass Repertoire Lists
We examined the solo viola and double bass literature on the Florida Orchestra Association (FOA) repertoire list with respect to musical form (concerto, sonata, & other), tradition (European, American, & other), classification (A to E; most-to-least difficult), composer representation (ten most frequently listed composers), composer gender (male or female), and contemporaneity (living or dead). We will discuss implications of the results with respect to representation of contemporary, American and women composers in string solo lists.
Author: Jane Palmquist, Conservatory of Music of Brooklyn College--City University of New York
Co-Author(s): Matthew Rotjan, Scarsdale Public Schools; David Pope, Elyria City Schools

Do Solo Artists Alter Vibrato Rates and Widths in Different Styles?
In this study we analyzed vibrato styles of four well-known solo artist violinists and one associate concertmaster in a professional orchestra during performances of Mozart and Brahms. In particular, we were interested in whether these violinists alter or maintain their vibrato rates and widths when performing concerto literature of Mozart as opposed to Brahms. Most of these soloists did not use different vibrato rates in Mozart compared to Brahms, however, all violinists changed vibrato widths significantly in performing the two styles.
Author: John M. Geringer, Florida State University
Co-Author(s): Rebecca B. MacLeod, University of North Carolina

Effects of Peer and Cross-Age Teaching in Collegiate Applied Music
Peer Teaching has been associated with increased achievement, independence of learning and problem-solving skills. This study details the effects of peer teaching in one collegiate violin studio, the effects of cross-age tutoring (graduate student paired with undergraduate) in a different university's violin studio, and the differences between them.
Author: David Hays, Missouri State University

Effects of Performing with Different Instrument Types on Violin and Viola Intonation
The present study was an attempt to measure the performance of intonation relative to different accompaniment timbres in a musical context. Findings indicated that participants performed slightly flat relative to accompaniment in all accompanied conditions in the first half and performed sharp in all conditions for the second half. This change in deviation was consistent with previous literature that musicians tend to play sharp. The participants also performed with slightly less cent deviation when accompanied with cello than with flute and oboe accompaniments. This could be due to familiarity with the string timbre among string musicians.
Author: John Rine Zabanal, Florida State University

From Rote to Note: Applying String Methods in Your Band Classroom
This research adapts methods used in string orchestra programs and private string studios for beginning band classrooms. These adaptations are based on Suzuki and Rolland methods, and focus on teaching by rote, body mapping, and strengthening the basic fundamentals of music. The processes covered in this presentation include posture, playing position, first notes, introducing rhythm and notation, and song sheets.
Author: Leah Motl, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

High School Orchestra Directors: Technicians or Expressive Conductors?
Dr. Matthew Brooks, Directors of Orchestras at University of Nebraska at Omaha, shares research on the demonstration conducting elements by high school orchestra directors. The results of his study suggest that high school orchestra directors more effectively demonstrate the technical elements of conducting, while less effectively demonstrating the expressive elements of conducting. Brooks' research questions if undergraduate conducting courses adequately prepare high school orchestra directors to be technicians (i.e. technical conductors) or expressive conductors.
Author: Matthew Brooks, University of Nebraska at Omaha

How Fast Should That Music Go? Musicians’ Tempo Preferences for Frequently Heard Classical and Popular Music Pieces
We investigated whether music major listeners would show similar tempo preferences when asked to tap tempo choices for very familiar examples of both western popular rock and western classical music. Musicians tapped slightly slower than the fast examples of both classical and popular music, and near suggested tempi for the slower examples. We suggest that it is familiarity, rather than genre differences, that affects tempo preferences of listeners.
Author: John M. Geringer, Florida State University
Co-Author(s): John Rine Zabanal, Florida State University ; Chandler Bridges, University of Alabama ; Clifford K. Madsen, Florida State University

Impact of String Project Experiences on the Student Teaching Experience
The purpose of this instrumental multiple case study (Stake, 2006) was to explore the impact of each participant’s string project experiences on their current student teaching experience.
Author: Blair Williams, Texas Tech University

Near Peer Mentorship as a Model for Private Music Instruction
The purpose of this study was to explore the possible benefits of using near peer mentorship to provide additional music instruction in an underserved community. Specific research questions included: In what ways (if any) is near peer mentoring beneficial to those giving and receiving music instruction?  Does near peer mentorship impact students’ perseverance, leadership, or willingness to engage with others in music-making? Is near peer mentorship an effective means of improving student success on the instrument they study?
Author: Rebecca MacLeod, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Co-Author(s): Christen Blanton, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Dixie Ortiz, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Jessica Lewis, University of North Carolina Greensboro

Practice Behaviors of Novice String Players
Do students structure their practice? Do they discriminate between successful and flawed performance trials? Do they identify goals and do they evaluate the quality of performance trials against a mental model and employ strategies to resolve performance problems? In this study I will analyze practice behaviors from video recorded practice sessions and identify practice strategies noting evidence that participants recognize cause and effect relationships between application of specific motor skills and musical outcomes.
Author: Elaine Colprit, Bowling Green State University

Practice Habits of Undergraduate String Majors with a Cumulative GPA of 3.5-4.0
The purpose of this research is to determine if a relationship exists between good grades and practice habits and, if so, determine what it is. Discipline forms the core of both practice and studying, as it is essential for success in both areas. This research is valuable because it can show students that it is possible to practice sufficiently, value mastery of their instrument, and still make high grades. The key to being a successful musician is knowing how to balance practice with life, and this research is an attempt to learn how to do that.
Author: Anna Taylor, Samford University

Relationship between music performance skill and auditory discriminations of timing, pitch, and loudness differences in recordings of artist-level performances
Although researchers have examined music practice and the development of performance skills, less is known about the development of musicians’ auditory discrimination skills, especially within the authentic music context most often found during music practice. We designed a test to assess musicians’ ability to detect small differences in recorded music performances and found that scores effectively discriminated among musicians at five different levels of experience and expertise.
Author: Lani Hamilton, University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory
Co-Author(s): Amy Simmons, The University of Texas at Austin; Sarah Allen, Southern Methodist University; Carla Davis Cash, Texas Tech University; Robert A. Duke, The University of Texas at Austin

Sound Health; Bringing Music to Medicine for 10 years  - What Listener and College Student Performer Surveys Show
The benefits of live music in healthcare settings for listeners are well documented and include diminished levels of anxiety and stress. Sound Health enriches the healthcare environment through live music while providing college string students with service learning, community engagement, and performing experience. This poster documents 300 qualitative listener and performer surveys from the past 10 years and shows the importance of service learning and community engagement through listener and performer feedback.
Author: Mary Perkinson, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Co-Author(s): Matthew Brooks, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Kyle Case, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Tanner Chilson, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Colin Hedges-Stoops, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Jordyn Irlmeier, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Yedid Maya, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Shae Monaghan, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Rachael Neff, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Trevor Petersen, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Julissa Ramirez, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Jenna Reynard, University of Nebraska at Omaha

String Music Instructor's Views On The Teaching Of Intonation To Beginning Students
The purpose of this study was to determine what instructors of string students believe are important aspects of teaching intonation to beginning string students. Data from survey respondents indicated there is no standard practice among educators concerning the teaching of intonation to beginning string students. Results were presented and future research suggested.
Author: Starkey Morgan, University of Mississippi

String Teacher Preparation Programs in the United States
The purpose of this study was to examine string teacher education programs in the United States, to determine how future music educators are being prepared to enter string orchestra classrooms. Specifically, we examined how many accredited institutions that offer an undergraduate degree in music education had a full-time string music education specialist on the faculty, and if that number had changed from previous studies. Additionally, we examined those schools who did not have a full-time string music education specialist to determine who (applied faculty, adjunct professors, etc) was responsible for teaching string methods and techniques courses.
Author: Annalisa Chang, Clayton State University
Co-Author(s): Angela Ammerman, University of Tenesee Martin

The Effect of Pre-Conditioning Left-Hand Exercises on the Development of the Left-Hand Frame and the Effect of the Left-Hand Frame and Finger Placement Markers on the Development of Accurate Intonation in Beginning String Students
The purpose of this posttest-only, equivalent-groups experimental design study was to investigate the effect of pre-conditioning left-hand exercises on the development of the left-hand frame in beginning string classes. This study also examined the effect of the left-hand frame and it compared the use of two types of finger placement markers (FPMs) on the development of accurate intonation in beginning string students.
Author: Dijana Ihas, Pacific University, Oregon

The Forgotten Violinist: The Story of Guila Bustabo
Guila Bustabo was one of the most talented violinists of the twentieth century. In the height of her career, Wisconsin-born Bustabo performed frequently in Nazi-controlled territories, which led to her arrest by Allied forces at the end of World War II. This association with the Third Reich proved to be the downfall of her career in the United States. Through newspaper clippings, her personal correspondence, and personal interviews with her violin students, this poster will paint a portrait of Bustabo’s life and the downfall of her career in light of denazification and anti-Nazi sentiment in the United States.
Author: Chloe Smith, Samford Universtiy

The Influence of Feet Positioning on Posture and Balance of Upper-String Instrument Players
Come and learn about the latest research from a 2018 study, providing scientific background for teaching body posture through foot placement to beginner upper-string students. Oryana Racines will provide and compare data from her doctoral research study regarding three main foot placements found in the upper-string pedagogy literature.
Author: Oryana Racines-Smakovic, Texas Tech University

The Status of Music Programs in American Public Schools, 2007-2009
NCES data from the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years is used to assess the status of orchestra, band, choir, general music, and other music programs in American public schools and to create a profile of school music teachers. This new dataset allows comparison with the NSPC white paper from a similar time frame and provides the first detailed comparison of orchestra programs and teachers with their counterparts in other music fields.
Author: Andrew Strietelmeier, University of Oregon

The Status of Orchestra Programs in the State of Texas
In previous efforts to examine the status of string programs at a national level, Texas data have been proportionally underrepresented. Texas maintains a reputation for robust and high-quality string programs across the state and an examination of Texas data serves as an important point of comparison with national data especially regarding representation of under-served populations.
Author: Elizabeth Chappell, University of North Texas
Co-Author: Kelsey Nussbaum, University of North Texas

University Pre-College String Program Teacher Concerns
This multiple case study investigated the concerns of teachers at a large Midwestern university pre-college string program.
Author: Flora Nevarez, Indiana University Bloomington Jacobs School of Music

Using Strings to Build the 3 C's: Concentration, Confidence and Collaboration
This study will examine the effect of 4 and 5 year old students' participation in beginning group violin classes on their self-perceived and researcher observed levels of concentration, confidence and collaboration over a 2 month period of twice weekly group instruction. Aspects specific to musical development, speech development, and social development will be examined.
Author: Lisa Maynard, James Madison University