Date of Award

12-2014

Degree Name

Master of Music

Department

Music

First Advisor

Edward A, Roth, M.M.

Second Advisor

Brian L. Wilson

Third Advisor

Dr. Nancy Mansberger

Keywords

Music, children, therapy, reading, development

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study utilized Naturalistic Inquiry methods to investigate how music therapists use music elements to impact reading development in school-aged children. Eleven Board-Certified Music Therapists were interviewed providing information regarding music therapy interventions, reading skills targeted, theoretical influences, and professional influences. Transcripts of interviews were analyzedto determine themes, coÍtmon use of language related to the subject, common perceptions, and techniques and uses for music to impact reading development. In general subjects did not report specifically using music elements to target reading behavior. Rather, most subjects identified reading objectives determined by classroom teachers and developed music interventions to accommodate those objectives. Future qualitative research could be an important method to gain a more in-depth look at the use of music for reading and other academic skills.

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