Approaches to developing community: A survey of the perspectives of American female undergraduate prospective band directors

Abstract

Within the field of American secondary school wind band teaching, women have been historically and persistently underrepresented, making it important to consider ways to (1) expand pre-service teachers’ opportunities to engage with successful female band directors, and (2) to explore undergraduate women’s insights into becoming female band directors themselves. The purpose of this survey-based study was to explore the perceptions of American female-identifying collegiate music education majors ( N = 32) regarding the American school-based wind band teaching profession and their experiences within an intensive, one day, community-building event for female band directors. Results of the survey and subsequent analysis revealed a lack of female band director role models under whom participants had studied, a significant positive correlation between participants’ confidence in their ability to succeed in the role and their level of motivation for doing so, and a moderately positive perception of belief in their ability to balance potential future parenthood with their career. Thematic analysis of written responses revealed participants’ gender-specific concerns about entering the band directing profession and their takeaways from the day-long event. Implications are provided, including suggestions for pre-service teacher education, future research, and the development of other such events aimed at developing community for female-identifying band directors.