The Development of Solo Performance Skills Through Participation in Adjudicated Vocal Solo Showcases
Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
David Weintraub
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
achievement, achievement need, adjudicator consistency, adolescent vocal students, age-appropriate music, art song, awards, choral music, evaluation scales, expectations, failure, fine arts, lifelong learning, music activities, music adjudication, music education, music festivals, music performance, musical achievement, musical excellence, musical growth, opera, performance anxiety, performance based assessment, performance evaluation, performance factors, rating scales, scoring rubrics, singing, solo performance contest, student evaluation, success factors, vocal development, vocal music, vocal music professionals, young singers
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to develop and implement a solo performance contest-festival for adolescent vocal students in grades 7 through 12. The goal of the project was to foster musical excellence through positive performance evaluation and encourage the life-long pursuit of musical growth and achievement. The project addressed several issues; (a) there were few opportunities for such evaluative performance in the target area, (b) there was a need for age and vocal developmental appropriate required music lists, (c) a clear and concise rating and evaluation scale based on accepted music attributes was needed, (d) improved adjudicator consistency through training and experience, (d) an investigation of negative affects of performance anxiety was conducted, (f) a determination of which attributes were perceived as responsible for success or failure in music were investigated, and (g) the groundwork for a network of vocal music professionals was established.
During the initial phase of this project, registration forms were developed and sent to an 130 area music professionals. The writer worked with area school choral music directors and private studio instructors to develop comprehensive required music lists for each of three levels that focused on age-appropriateness and vocal maturity of each level and provided a wide variety of musical styles to attract students with differing tastes and performance interests. The registration forms and required music lists were also available on the website. In addition, these music professionals provided input into the design of the rating and evaluation scale and suggested which music attributes should be included that directly applied to vocal performance. The event venue and date was secured and publicity sent to area schools as well as newspapers. The writer designed a training session for all adjudicators and worked with the area music professionals to begin the development of a network organization for the purpose of professional development and providing additional performance opportunities and lessons for young singers.
The actual showcase was cancelled due to lack of registration returns. It was determined through a final information survey of 34 potential participants that the scheduled mid- May date was in conflict with many school activities and that a date of early November would be more effective. Student respondents also reported that being well prepared, performing often, and having friends and/or family in the audience were the best methods to increase performance skills. They also reported that the amount of effort was the achievement attribute most responsible for success or failure in music.