Date of Award
8-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
School
Performing and Visual Arts
Committee Chair
Dr. Jacqueline McIlwain
Committee Chair School
Music
Committee Member 2
Dr. Galit Kaunitz
Committee Member 2 School
Music
Committee Member 3
Dr. Douglas Rust
Committee Member 3 School
Music
Committee Member 4
Dr. Joseph Jones
Committee Member 4 School
Music
Committee Member 5
Dr. Dannel Espinoza
Committee Member 5 School
Music
Abstract
Diversity in music education has been a long-standing discussion amongst educators. This document advocates for the recognition and acceptance of the intrinsic and extrinsic values of diverse peoples and their musical contributions while creating tolerance and respect. The focus lies with three composers, two African American and one African English, in service of promoting inclusion for composers of minority groups within the clarinet repertoire.
The goal is to expand standard clarinet repertoire, with “standard” defined as compositions considered important in building a well-rounded clarinetist in America, to include works such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in F-sharp Minor, Op. 10, Dr. Joyce Solomon Moorman’s Clarinet Quintet, and Dr. James Lee III Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet. I aim to display a wide range of compositional genre and biographical data obtained through research and interviews with Dr. Moorman and Dr. Lee. Each composer had a significant support system in their pursuit of a career in music which greatly contributed to their successes. Biographical information on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is gathered from journal articles and texts featuring the composer. Also included are music analyses of each quintet reflecting the composer’s identity and life experience. Specifically, sources providing information on the misidentification of colored peoples as gleaned from Lee’s quintet. The compositional stipulations of each work provides support in their musical and cultural importance to clarinet literature.
Elements of racial bias and the underrepresentation toward people of color are discussed historically in conjunction with these composers to better understand the importance of inclusion and the intrinsic value of works composed by underrepresented composers. For bringing changes to the approach of music education and its students, information is gathered from articles within Music Educators Journal and Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education.
The intention of this document is to bridge the gap between standard clarinet repertoire and works by underrepresented composers, increasing visibility of students and their potential for success within a musical career. By focusing on inclusion, students are better cared for on a personal and musical level, creating a more tolerant learning environment and future educator.
Copyright
2024, Lauren Miller
Recommended Citation
Miller, Lauren, "Expanding "Standards" Through Embracing Diversity: The Clarinet Quintets of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Joyce Solomon Moorman, and James Lee III" (2024). Dissertations. 2267.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2267
Included in
Gender Equity in Education Commons, Higher Education Commons, Music Pedagogy Commons, Music Performance Commons, Other Music Commons