Collegiate Musicians' Evaluations of Ensemble Instruction in the Presence or Absence of Conductor Expressivity

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Wind Band: Pedagogy, Practices, and Participants

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of conductor expressivity on the evaluation of rehearsal instruction. Collegiate musicians (N = 134) viewed video recordings of two conductors in rehearsal, with footage of one of the conductors altered for some observers to show unexpressive conducting. Analysis of participants’ evaluative comments revealed a greater focus on verbal behavior when gesture was unexpressive, with a higher proportion of negative comments. Inferential positive comments about the teacher’s musicianship were more frequent in the expressive condition. Notable among these results is the influence of expressive gesture on the perception of distinctly verbal conductor rehearsal behaviors. We suggest this indicates the inseparability of gestural and verbal aspects of rehearsal instruction among knowledgeable observers.

Authors

• Mark Montemayor, University of Northern Colorado

• Brian A. Silvey, University of Missouri - Columbia

• Yolanda M. Chatwood, University of Northern Colorado