Student leadership development in college athletic band programs: Perspectives from directors

Bell, Michelle Christin

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124261 Copy

Description

Title

Student leadership development in college athletic band programs: Perspectives from directors

Author(s)

Bell, Michelle Christin

Issue Date

2024-04-18

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Vecchio, Michael

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Geraldi, Kevin M

Committee Member(s)

• Carrillo, Carlos
• Houser, Barry L
• Smist, Jennifer

Department of Study

Music

Discipline

Music

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

A.Mus.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• leadership
• student leadership
• athletic band
• marching band
• leadership development
• college marching band

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine college athletic band directors’ perceptions of student leadership within their college athletic band program, including the opportunities for student leadership development and the benefits and challenges of student leadership development. Research questions included: (1) How do college athletic band directors describe the opportunities for student leaders to develop leadership skills within their athletic band programs? and (2) What are the college athletic band directors’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of developing student leadership skills? Three college athletic band directors with student leadership development experience and expertise were selected using maximum variance sampling. Each participated in a semi-structured individual interview with the author. Six themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Purpose of Student Leadership Development; (2) Selection of Student Leaders; (3) The Role of Student Leaders; (4) Development of Student Leaders; (5) Benefits of Student Leadership Development; and (6) Student Leader Influence on Program Culture. Findings indicated that the participants perceived both formal training and experiential learning to be the main methods of student leadership development. The benefits of student leadership development were identified as program culture and individual leadership and interpersonal skills. Additionally, the selection of student leaders and student leaders’ understanding of their role were identified as challenges associated with student leadership development. This qualitative study fills a gap in current literature and can offer perspectives from college athletic band directors on the processes, benefits, and challenges of student leadership development in their programs.

Graduation Semester

2024-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Michelle Bell

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