Attitudes of High School Band Directors in the United States Toward Solo and Ensemble Activities

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate attitudes of high school band directors in the United States toward solo and ensemble activities. Independent variables such as teaching experience, level of education, National Association for Music Education (NAfME) division, personal solo and ensemble experience, teaching assignment, and director-centered external factors were used to investigate potential differences in attitudinal responses. Subjects were high school band directors (N = 557) who completed an online researcher-designed questionnaire that gathered demographic and attitudinal information regarding directors’ perceptions of benefits to students from participation in solo and ensemble activities, their importance to directors, and perceptions of local, regional, and state events. Analyses indicated no significant differences in director’s perceptions of benefits to students according to any independent variables, but significant differences were found in the importance of solo and ensemble to directors and perceptions of solo and ensemble events according to NAfME division, directors’ experience with solo and ensemble as a student, and director-centered external factors. Results indicate directors understand and believe strongly in the benefits of solo and ensemble activities, but factors such as time constraints, job demands, program expectations, and festival and contest adjudication, format, and schedule may hinder directors’ use of solo and ensemble activities as an integral part of their program.