Tag: Music

Project Description:

I wish to examine variations in music publisher grade levels assigned to band pieces and whether individual parts tend to be easier or more difficult within these overall grade levels and why. To do so, we will examine a number of pieces of music part by part using the American Band College grade level guidelines. We will look for trends in difficulty variation and, if variation exists, work to develop guidelines for band directors to make parts more accessible and/or more challenging depending on their student needs.

Prerequisites

Student researchers should be fluent in music reading and music analysis.

Special Comments

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/1/2024

Estimated End Date: 8/9/2024

Maximum number of students sought: 1

Contact Information: Prof. Christopher Dobbins (dobbinsc@wlu.edu)

Project Description:

I wish to try to quantify the impact that visibility of music professionals from underrepresented backgrounds has on the intended career paths of students who share those backgrounds. The student researcher and I will be developing a survey, analyzing the results, and comparing that with performance and appearance data that is publicly available through various music conference websites. While a lofty goal, we hope to quantify the impact that visibility has on students from underrepresented backgrounds who are considering a career in Western music.

Prerequisites

Student researchers should be fluent in music reading, have experience in data collection, and have an understanding of basic statistics.

Special Comments

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/1/2024

Estimated End Date: 8/9/2024

Maximum number of students sought: 1

Contact Information: Prof. Christopher Dobbins (dobbinsc@wlu.edu)

Project Description:

Stan Kenton’s 1948 performance of “The City of Glass” revolutionized the jazz landscape, pushing the boundaries of big band music. It was performed once, in a concert at the Chicago Opera House. The music has laid dormant at the University of North Texas, except for one Danish band’s performance in the 1990s. It has never been published. The Stan Kenton Research Center possesses a scan of the original 1948 music manuscript. The Center is the world’s only center dedicated to the music of the jazz bandleader. I am its founder and curator. This project aims to transform the historic handwritten documents into a meticulously engraved, modern edition suitable for scholarly exploration and publication. The student scholar(s) on this project will transcribe these scanned manuscripts into the Finale notation software. This meticulous process involves a note-by-note input of each part. Subsequently, the compiled score will undergo rigorous editing, formatting, and preparation for publication. By producing a polished and accurate edition of “The City of Glass,” I aim to make this masterpiece accessible to musicians, researchers, and enthusiasts alike. The endeavor aligns with the Stan Kenton Research Center’s mission to preserve and promote the rich musical legacy of Stan Kenton.

Prerequisites

Students must have a working knowledge of standard music notation and the software, Finale.

Special Comments

This project is well suited for virtual work.

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/3/2024

Estimated End Date: 8/9/2024

Maximum number of students sought: 2

Contact Information: Prof. Terry Vosbein (vosbeint@wlu.edu)