International Journal of Music and Performing Arts

Expert High School, College, and Service Band Director’s Opinions Regarding The Concert March in America: A Qualitative Study
Michael Cater

Abstract
This qualitative study investigated the relevance of the concert march in current wind band literature and curriculum. Deliberate sampling was employed to select highly accomplished bandmasters including two high school band directors, two university band directors, and two service band directors. While there is substantial research regarding the history and heritage of the march and the evolution of the concert band in America, little scholarly literature is available that explores the significance of the march to current wind band literature. Themes include history and heritage, word of mouth, listening, mentors, programming trends, lack of understanding, slow decline, and advice. Findings from the study revealed how participants were taught march style and how their band directors/mentors molded their attitudes and opinions regarding the march. All participants agreed on the decline in performances of marches and changes in attitudes and opinions regarding the genre. Participants discussed the importance of continued rehearsal and performance of the march to the survival of the genre within the concert band. Future research recommendations include a replication that would employ a different sample of similarly qualified applicants as well as a quantitative study to determine programming frequency of marches at universities or high schools throughout the country

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijmpa.v6n1a1