Date of Award

2026

Type

Thesis

Major

Master of Music

Degree Type

Master of Music Performance

Department

Schwob School of Music

First Advisor

Dr. Palmer

Abstract

his graduate research project investigates the value of musical album production within collegiate brass performance training and pedagogy. Within the collegiate sphere, brass pedagogy has long centered on live performance, such as juries, recitals, and ensemble participation as a primary performance tool; however, the 21st-century musical landscape is deeply rooted in technological and digital artistic dissemination. This study is used to push the boundaries of how technology can be interpreted in brass pedagogy by asking: How does album production function as a pedagogical tool in collegiate brass performance training?

In this project, I used an auto-ethnographic case study design, serving myself as the subject and analyst. Data sources include practice journals, rehearsal reflection, recording practices, producer feedback, and the studio take-sheets. Album production serves as an extension of deliberate practice, demanding increased repetition, micro-level detail analysis, and sustained interpretative consistency. The microphone operates as a form of teacher by revealing inconsistencies that may go unnoticed in live performance, creating a unique tool for self- assessment. There is currently little research addressing album production as a structural pedagogical process, allowing this research to begin filling that gap.

This study argues that album production can be a powerful pedagogical tool capable of enhancing technical, musical, and self-evaluation skills in collegiate brass students. Through the conclusion, this project recommends incorporating recording projects and recorded portfolio assignments into collegiate brass performance curricula.

Comments

Committee members/advisors not clearly listed.

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