Student leadership development in college athletic band programs: Perspectives from directors

The purpose of this study was to examine college athletic band directors’ perceptions of student leadership within their college athletic band program, including the opportunities for student leadership development and the benefits and challenges of student leadership development. Research questions included: (1) How do college athletic band directors describe the opportunities for student leaders to develop leadership skills within their athletic band programs? and (2) What are the college athletic band directors’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of developing student leadership skills? Three college athletic band directors with student leadership development experience and expertise were selected using maximum variance sampling. Each participated in a semi-structured individual interview with the author. Six themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Purpose of Student Leadership Development; (2) Selection of Student Leaders; (3) The Role of Student Leaders; (4) Development of Student Leaders; (5) Benefits of Student Leadership Development; and (6) Student Leader Influence on Program Culture. Findings indicated that the participants perceived both formal training and experiential learning to be the main methods of student leadership development. The benefits of student leadership development were identified as program culture and individual leadership and interpersonal skills. Additionally, the selection of student leaders and student leaders’ understanding of their role were identified as challenges associated with student leadership development. This qualitative study fills a gap in current literature and can offer perspectives from college athletic band directors on the processes, benefits, and challenges of student leadership development in their programs.

Name thesis:degree_name

A.Mus.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Bell, Michelle Christin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Vecchio, Michael
• Geraldi, Kevin M
• Carrillo, Carlos
• Houser, Barry L
• Smist, Jennifer

• Leadership
• Student Leadership
• Athletic Band
• Marching Band
• Leadership Development
• College Marching Band

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Michelle Bell

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124261

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F124261