A Descriptive Analysis of the Fourteen Mid-American Conference Athletic Band Programs
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A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FOURTEEN MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ATHLETIC BAND PROGRAMS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Eric W. Aho, B.M.E., M.A. The Ohio State University 2005 Dissertation Committee: Approved by: Jon R. Woods, Advisor Jan H. McCrary ___________________ Russel C. Mikkelson Advisor School of Music i Copyright by Eric W. Aho 2005 i ABSTRACT During the annual meeting of the MidAmerican Conference Band Directors Association at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago (December, 2003) it was proposed and accepted to conduct a comprehensive study describing and discussing issues and topics related to the athletic band programs of the MAC. During the meeting a model survey instrument, based on the studies of Holvik (1971), Patzig (1983), and Fuller (1995) was presented. Revisions were made by the MAC athletic band directors refreshing the model to include additional topics of value to the Association. During the spring and summer of 2004 the model was reviewed by a panel of collegiate band directors who agreed to serve as readers and advisors. In its final form the questionnaire focused on 33 topics. In April 2005, the questionnaire was sent to the 14 athletic band directors of the MAC via email in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format. The spreadsheet version, presented on CD-ROM, and a standard hard copy were sent via U.S. Mail. All of the athletic band directors responded fully and positively resulting in a comprehensive collection of data describing the staffing, administration, rehearsal and performance practices, traditions and trends of the athletic bands of the MAC. Survey questions concerning contemporary topics, updating the three model studies, produced information on: the evolution of professional title to “Director of Athletic Bands”, access to and use of technologies in planning and instruction, the affect of athletic department game management and marketing efforts, and the nature of university and community efforts to address sportsmanship issues that affect athletic bands ii To my mother, Delilah Ann Aho and father, John Donald Aho (deceased). iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author thanks all of the following people for their support and assistance in the preparation of this dissertation. To my mother and father: for their constant vigil of encouragement and prayer that provided the vision and endurance to realize this goal. To my wife, Amy, who has carried the family financially through the last seven years; and my children, Nickolas, Kyla, and Davis, who now will have a more balanced father who prays that you keep your eyes on your hopes and dreams and that you find the element of fun in every task. To my sisters, Laura, Margaret, and Susie, who have watched and participated in many of the projects that their little brother has hatched and taken the blame on several. To all my students and their parents from Gahanna MSW and HS, Grove City HS, Westland HS, Norton MS, Kenyon College, The Ohio State University, Kent State University, Summer Arts, and The All-Star Brass Bands: for your willingness to catch the spirit, break the cycle of mediocrity, and revel in the great moments of accomplishment. To several trusted friends and mentors, Dr. Paul Droste, Dr. Janet Ebert, and Rose Angelica who helped me focus and persevere. To Ben McMurtrie, Tom Rohrer, John Venesky, Drs.Gene Milford, David Woodley, Jon R.Woods, Jere L. Forsythe, Russel C. Mikkelson, and Paul E. Droste whose feedback helped develop the content and format of the questionnaire. To the fourteen Athletic Band Directors of the MidAmerican Conference, Margarite Ortega, and Amy Wagner: This study would not have been possible without their valued input, time, and belief in this project. To Ms. Julie Raccio who unselfishly served as typist and liaison for technical support. To Drs. Jere L. Forsythe, Jan H. McCrary and Russel C. Mikkelson: for serving on the dissertation committee and your patience and willingness to see me through. Finally, to Dr. Jon R. Woods: for the marvelous opportunity to return to campus for this doctoral work. Your long-suffering of my efforts and ideas put you in a class unsurpassed. iv VITA August 5, 1956 …………………...... Born – Columbus, Ohio 1978 ……………………………….. Bachelor of Music Education The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 1979-86 …………………………… Graduate Teaching and Administration Associate The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 1981 ……………………………….. Master of Arts in Music The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 1982-86 ……………………………. Doctoral work in Higher Education Administration emphasis in Arts Administration, ABD The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1986-92 ……………………………. Founder and Director Summer Arts at Lakeside 1986 – present ……………………... Founder and Director The All-Star Brass Bands 1986-87 ……………………………. Instrumental Music Teacher Gahanna-Jefferson Local Schools Gahanna, Ohio 1987-98 ……………………………. Instrumental Music Teacher Southwestern City Schools, Grove City, Ohio 1992-96 …………………………… Adjunct Professor of Low Brass Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio v 1997-2000 ………………………… Graduate Teaching Associate The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 2000-04 …………………………… Assistant Professor of Music Assistant Director of Bands Director of Athletic Bands Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 2000-present ………………………. Euphonium Artist Yamaha Corporation of America Indianapolis, Indiana PUBLICATIONS / RECORDINGS The Bridge, Official Journal of the North American Brass Band Association, Editor Brass Band of Columbus Commercial Recordings: Lead On!, 1994, The Champions, 1998, Americans We, 2000, Brass Band Christmas, 2001 The Village Brass Quintet Commercial Recordings: A Village Christmas, 1984, Rhapsody on Blue, 1985 Arts in the Mainstream, Reaction Paper presented at the National Art Education Association Convention, 1983 The Script Ohio Centennial Edition, Jostens Publishing, 1979 FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Music Studies in Music Education: Drs. Robert Culver, Robert Von Grunigan, Wayne Ramsey, Jere L. Forsythe, Jon R. Woods, Joan Lear, James Major, J. Peter Costanza, Judith K. Delzell, Robert Gillespie, Patricia Flowers Studies in Marching Band Techniques: Drs. Paul E. Droste, Jon R. Woods Studies in Wind Conducting: Dr. Donald E. McGinnis, Dr. Craig J. Kirchoff, Mr. Gary Lewis, Dr. Russel C. Mikkelson vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………. i DEDICATION....................................................................................……………. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................…………….. iv VITA..................................................................................................……………. v LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................……………. x CHAPTER PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION................................................……………………. 1 Historical Overview of American Marching Bands....……………. 3 American Drum and Bugle Corp…………………………………. 16 The Problem.................................................................…………… 18 Purpose of the Study....................................................…………… 22 Need for the Study........................................................………….. 25 Definition of Terms.......................................................………….. 27 Limitation of the Study..................................................………….. 31 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE.....................……………… 32 Descriptive Research of College Marching Band Programs...................................................................…………. 32 Studies and Articles Relating to Historically Black College and University Marching Bands……..………... 45 Studies on Marching Band Arranging……………………………. 50 Studies and Articles on Computer Studies and Charting......................………………………………………… 55 Game Management and Marketing……………………………….. 57 Sportsmanship…………………………………………………….. 61 Other Studies Related to Collegiate Marching Bands.......................................................................................... 68 Summary………………………………………………………….. 69 vii 3. PROCEDURES………………………………………………………. 71 Introduction……………………………………………………….. 71 Development and Validation of the Questionnaire……………….. 71 Distribution of the Questionnaire…………………………………. 82 4. PRESENTATION AND ANAYLSIS OF THE DATA……………….. 83 Introduction………………………………………………………... 83 I. Professional Staff………………………………………... 83 II. Graduate Assistant(s)……………………………………. 85 III. Student Staff……………………………………………... 86 IV. Marching Band Music and Arrangers…………………… 86 V. Marching Band Announcer……………………………… 87 VI. Supplemental Staff Positions Not Listed Above………… 87 VII. Supervision/Evaluation………………………………….. 87 VIII. Salaries…………………………………………………... 89 IX. 2003 Marching Band Budget……………………………. 89 X. Marching Band Uniforms……………………………….. 90 XI. Auxiliary Units………………………………………….. 90 XII. Recruitment……………………………………………… 91 XIII. Grades and Scholarships/Stipends/Student Benefits……. 91 XIV. Audition/Preseason……………………………………… 92 XV. Technology……………………………………………… 93 XVI. Marching Style…………………………………………... 95 XVII. Marching Band Rehearsals……………………………… 95 XVIII. Marching Band Game Day Performance……………….. 96 XIX. Band Day………………………………………………... 97 XX. Alumni Marching Band…………………………………. 97 XXI. Bowl Game……………………………………………… 98 XXII. Other Performances (Marching Band)………………….. 98 XXIII. Extra Performances (Marching Band)…………………... 98 XXIV. Travel (Marching Band)………………………………… 99 XXV. Sportsmanship……………………………………………