Preferred Name

Sarah E. Wilson

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Date of Graduation

Spring 2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music (MM)

Department

School of Music

Advisor(s)

William M. Dabback

W. Bryce Hayes

Kevin J. Stees

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore motivations for participation, how social structures influence the adult non-professional members of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band (HRCB), and identify the characteristics of community present in the band. The following questions framed the investigation within an interpretative phenomenological approach:

  1. What motivates the band members to participate in the HRCB?
  2. How do the institutional social structures influence the sense of belonging, development of social capital, and socialization of band members?
  3. What characteristics of community are present within the HRCB?

Data was collected from long-term researcher observation and one-on-one semi-structured interviews with each participant. Results indicate that the participants are motivated by personal and musical motivations, and the HRCB exists with institutional social structures that influence social capital, social belonging, and socialization. Each of these themes form a unique sense of community within the HRCB. Research into this topic is significant as we learn how music-making can span throughout the life and contribute to individuals, society, and music education.

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