Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

School

Performing and Visual Arts

Committee Chair

Dr. Gregory Fuller

Committee Chair School

Music

Committee Member 2

Dr. Jonathan Kilgore

Committee Member 2 School

Music

Committee Member 3

Dr. Joseph Brumbeloe

Committee Member 3 School

Music

Committee Member 4

Dr. Joseph Jones

Committee Member 4 School

Music

Committee Member 5

Dr. Ian Cicco

Committee Member 5 School

Music

Abstract

Standardized testing in the United States has permeated all levels of education including the choral music classroom. Across the country, state music organizations have implemented yearly evaluations of high school choral ensembles in which directors prepare choirs to be judged against a particular standard. While many organizations utilize similar methods of evaluating performances at adjudicated choral festivals, the methods used for evaluating sight-singing vary greatly from state to state. Throughout the country, various types of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic exercises are used to evaluate an ensemble’s ability to sight-sing, however in certain states no form of sight-singing is required for choral music festival evaluations. There is widespread agreement regarding the importance of teaching music literacy to choral singers, but this is not reflected in the evaluation systems currently utilized across the United States. This study details the discrepancies between states and the requirements used to evaluate sight-singing at choral festivals. Evidence of this is achieved by thorough content analysis of the documentation governing sight-singing evaluations at the state level for high school choral ensembles. This study includes a comprehensive updated report on the states that include and exclude sight-singing at choral festivals, something that is not currently available. In conclusion, recommendations for further research are stated such as the effectiveness of sight-singing evaluation systems for ensembles, the demands of modern-day performance evaluations on teacher’s use of rehearsal time, and a content analysis study of all-state sight-singing evaluations.

Download

  Contact Author

Share

COinS