Folk Song and Dance Night: A Community Musical Event

Item

Title
Folk Song and Dance Night: A Community Musical Event
Creator
Haley Boyer
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Teaching (initial licensure)
Project Type
Action Research Project
Date
6/15/2025
Abstract
Objective: Traditionally, instances of community music have been removed from more institutionalized traditional music education. The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in a culturally responsive community music event raised participants’ feelings of interconnectedness, as well as opinions of traditional music education.

Methods: This study analyzed 6 classes that took part in a culturally responsive community musical event. After gathering ethnic and cultural data on my students, they participated in a unit where students learned folk songs and dances from various cultures found within the student body. Students were taught these songs and dances during general music class, and the unit was closed with an event where families and students learned, danced, and sang all together. Before and after this unit and event, student surveys were conducted where students shared their feelings of connectedness within their community, and opinions on their general music class.

Results: While class data varied significantly, overall students felt more connected with their community after participation in this unit and event, and students found their music class more fun, interesting, useful, and relevant.
Keywords
culturally-responsive community music
Committee Member
Anisa Rodriguez-Foroughi
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/20/2025, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
Language
eng
Type
Text
Identifier
HaleyBoyer_ARP_2025
Item sets
Graduate Work
Media
HaleyBoyer_ARP_2025.pdf