Date Created

8-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music

Department

College of Performing and Visual Arts, Music, Music Student Work

First Advisor

Krissie Weimer

First Committee Member

Fredrick Brown

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore variants in current music course offerings and instructional time for music for public school students in grades six through 12 across three school districts in Colorado. Students’ opportunity to access specific music courses and the amount of instructional time they receive varies across public middle and high schools. By studying three school districts with similar demographics in Colorado, the researcher sought to answer the following questions:

Q1 How much variety in music course offering is usual across schools in a single district?

Q2 How much difference in instructional time is usual across schools within a district for the same grade level and music course?

Q3 How do districts across Colorado compare for consistency within districts for music course accessibility?

This descriptive research study utilized a cross-sectional survey which was completed by music teachers from public middle and high schools from all three districts. The teachers reported which music courses were offered for each grade at their school, as well as the frequency and length of class meetings. The data was analyzed using measures of central tendency including frequency for course offerings and mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation for instructional time. The researcher developed a Music Course Access Levels categorization system to discuss patterns of consistency of course offerings across all three districts. Findings revealed overall inconsistency of course offerings throughout secondary schools within the three districts, as well as differences between instructional time for music across traditional and non-traditional middle schools in all districts. This study serves as a starting point to investigate the state of music course offerings and instructional time across Colorado school districts, as well as beginning a discussion regarding the value of consistency of music course offerings among public schools within a school district.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

Music Courses; School Music; Music Education; Music Course Scheduling; Music; Colorado

Subject Categories

Education | Other Education

Places

Colorado

Extent

110 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

Download

Share

COinS