Juried Research Poster Sessions
2010 ASTA National Conference
Santa Clara, CA
Friday, February 19, 2010

The 2010 ASTA Research Poster Session is designed to allow for dialogue and interaction between researchers and interested attendees. Please join us for this informal and stimulating session. The research topics/investigations, along with the presenters are listed below.

2010 ASTA Research Poster Session Presenters and Their Topics

Acts of Hospitality: A Case Study of the University of South Carolina String Project
The University of South Carolina (USC) String Project is a groundbreaking string teacher education program. Despite widespread recognition in the field, there is a dearth of literature about String Project interactive relationships, daily activities, and effectiveness in supporting both pre-service teachers and community children. In this poster presentation, I will submit findings from an ongoing case study to reveal a multi-dimensional picture of the USC String Project experience.
Presenter:  Susan Davis, New York University

An Analysis of the Lower Posture’s Affect on Leg and Knee Placement Through Photographs and Treatises of Selected Cellists
The research poster will focus on cellists' lower posture. The presentation will include comparisons of published cello technique treatises using charts to show differences and similarities in various schools of cello playing.  Also, analyses of photographs of prominent cellists and comparisons of their respective positioning of feet, angling, knees, and endpin length and how these dimensions affect the manner in which the cello contacts the body. A cello will be on hand to demonstrate.
Presenter:  Theodore Buchholz, Pima Community College

A Comparison of Instructional Strategies Used By Experienced Band and Orchestra Teachers When Teaching a First Year Class a New Line of Music
The main purpose of the study was to determine similarities and differences between band and orchestra teachers when teaching a new song.Significant differences were found between orchestra and band teachers for the frequency with which the following techniques were employed: echoing technique, co-verbal instruction, verbal instruction, student performance, modeling with instrument, question and answer, student performance model with instrument, pedagogical touch, and conducting.
Presenter:  Rebecca MacLeod, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

A Comparison of Rhythm Curriculum in Beginning String Method Books
How does a teacher choose a method book for his or her beginning class? We often consider the particular sequence of left and right hand skills and the pacing from skill to skill. However, attention to the rhythm pedagogy of the book-- the sequence of rhythm concepts and skills and their pace--is important to consider.
Presenter:  Janine Riveire, Cal Poly Pomona

An Investigation into Personality Traits of String Players and the Possible Effect on Successful Instrument Selection
The importance of matching a suitable instrument to a student can have tremendous impact on sustained interest, musical success, and lifetime participation in music. The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality traits of each orchestral string section to determine if there are any trends in personality within each section. This information could aid educators in finding the best fit for their students, creating a greater chance of success in musical studies.
Presenter:  Diane Joyce, Florida State University

Involvement in Instrumental Music and Achievement in Math: A Case Study of Students in Grades Three Through Five at Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts (2005-2009)
What can you do when elementary classroom teachers are concerned that students are falling behind because they are leaving academic instruction to attend pull-out orchestra lessons and rehearsals? Research! The hypothesis: At Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts there is a positive pattern between involvement in instrumental music and achievement in math. This case study analyzes math scores from the NWEA MAP test by three variables: participation in instrumental music, lunch status, and ethnicity.
Presenter:  Wendy Barden, ISD 279-Osseo Area Schools

Learning in a Teacher-Facilitated Environment: Student Perceptions and Teaching Implications
Drawing from the conclusions of this ethnographic case study, the researcher will share salient themes that emerged throughout the data, as well as suggestions for how teachers can work with students using democratic ideals that facilitate musicianship and foster creativity and engagement in small and large ensemble settings.
Presenter:  BettyAnne Gottlieb, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

The Meanings and Values of Music-making in the Lives of String Teachers:   Intersections Between Music-making and Teaching
Music-making, considered inspirational and refreshing, reminded teachers why they loved playing and helped them bridge theory and practice as teachers. Many participants were solving pedagogical issues as they were involved in their own music-making and they brought stories of their own music-making into the classroom for their student’s benefit. Teachers also used music-making in the classroom to gain credibility with the students and to model musicality, technique, and their love of music-making.
Presenter:  Kristen Pellegrino, Central Michigan University

Musicians’ Tempo and Pitch Level Preferences in Recorded Orchestral Music
This study was designed to ascertain musicians’ tempo and pitch level preferences when listening to orchestral music. Listeners preferred increased levels of tempo, pitch, and tempo/pitch combined for the relatively slow excerpts. For fast tempo examples, however, listeners preferred decreased tempos, little change in pitch, and slightly decreased tempo/pitch combined relative to original levels. Listeners' changes were greater for tempo than for pitch or tempo/pitch.
Presenter:  John Geringer, Center for Music Research, Florida State University

A Pilot Study of Vibrato among Middle School and High School Double Bass Students
The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate selected aspects of vibrato performance among middle school and high school double bass players.
Presenter:  Michael Allen, Florida State University

Present Poster at Research Poster Session: An Investigation of New School String Programs Established in American Schools Between 1999 and 2009
The latest research on strategies and resources for successfully establishing new string programs in the schools.
Presenter:  Robert Gillespie, Ohio State University

The Role of Auditory and Visual Feedback in Expert Instrumental Music Performance
How do expert violinists use auditory and visual feedback to produce a beautiful sound? Recent research uses state-of-the-art 3-D motion analysis to describe how violinists use their bows under various audiovisual conditions.
Presenter:  Melissa Becker, Lock Haven University of PA

The Sources of Self-Efficacy and Changes in Student Competence Beliefs During an All-State Orchestra Event
Student beliefs of performance ability can be challenged in a demanding All-State Orchestra festival environment. Using Bandura’s theoretical model of self-efficacy and its sources, this research examines how events common to the All-State environment (e.g., auditions, seating placement, social interactions, fatigue) influenced changes in student self-beliefs throughout a festival weekend. Conclusions are drawn about the range of orchestra learning and teaching experiences that may facilitate or impede students’ self beliefs in other similar contexts.
Presenter:  Karin Hendricks, University of Illinois

Survey Results of Students Participating in String Orchestra Classes, Central Middle School, Greenwich, Connecticut 2008-2009
Teachers and parents have frequently noted anecdotally that it is during the middle school years that students often stop playing their musical instruments. Often, the best source of information about practice habits and musical instruction is from the people who are participating. In this study, a middle school orchestra teacher reports the results after asking her students about their practice habits, their history with their instruments, and what priority their instruments have in their lives.
Presenter:  Constance Barrett, Greenwich, CT Public Schools

Tadeusz Wron´ski: the Man, the Method, and the Philosophy
The writings of Tadeusz Wronski are some of the most compelling works in the pedagogical canon of the 20th century.
Presenter:  Katarzyna Bugaj, Indiana University

Teaching Reaching: a Pedagogical Approach to Correcting Hand Positioning Issues in Developing Violinists
This poster will explore a pedagogical approach to achieving successful intonation and stable hand positioning in downward extensions of the finger as found in standard violin literature. I will offer techniques, etudes and new exercises to increase the student's success in correcting this subtle but important technical challenge.
Presenter:  Stephanie Westney, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Using Bio-feedback and Wireless Sensor Technology to Teach Vibrato
The Western Oregon University Wireless Human Interface (or WOUWHI) is a simple and inexpensive system in which accelerometers are attached to a student’s hand in order to track motion in real-time while comparing it to a pre-existing graph showing a particular type of vibrato. The WOUWHI system will be present for real-time use by interested participants of the conference.
Presenter:  Joseph Harchanko, Western Oregon University