Matching Items (11)
Description
This lecture recital was an hour-long event held in Recital Concert Hall at ASU School of Music on Sunday, March 20th, 2022 at 12:00 PM. The lecture recital a hybrid of a lecture and a musical performance. The musical performance, under the guidance of pianist Dr. Robert Hamilton, was a live piano performance of the pieces "Northern Scenes" written by Chen Yi, and "Secret & Glass Gardens" written by Jennifer Higdon. The lecture portion, under the guidance of music theorist Dr. Nicholas Shea, covers a biography of the composers, followed by a generalized formal analysis and description of musical themes and motives that are within the scope of their respective pieces. The overall product for audience members is to get an introduction to living female composers, Chen Yi and Jennifer Higdon, as well as develop a general understanding of their compositional techniques and influences. The audience is also informed of 'what to listen for' by discussing the overall structure and formal analysis of each piece before hearing it played live. This is necessary given the context that these compositions have been written within the past two decades, it is very helpful to know what will happen so that listeners have an easier time following along to this very new music.
ContributorsCore, Sarah (Author) / Hamilton, Robert (Thesis director) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description
This paper delves into the strategies and practices employed by DJs (disc jockeys) in the electronic music industry to achieve success and maintain relevance in an ever-evolving landscape. In the rapidly evolving landscape of the modern digital world, both established and up-and-coming DJs face unique challenges in marketing themselves and creating a distinctive brand identity within the highly competitive electronic music industry. As the digital era continues to redefine the music landscape, traditional promotional strategies no longer suffice, and emerging DJs must navigate a complex ecosystem of online platforms, social media, streaming services, and live events to effectively promote their music and differentiate themselves from their peers. Through a comprehensive analysis of three DJs with varying levels of popularity, the study aims to identify the key factors contributing to their success, as well as areas for potential improvement. The objectives of the research are to understand the different approaches adopted by DJs, assess their effectiveness in engaging audiences and building a fan base, and offer insights into the evolving role of DJs in the digital age. The methodology involves a qualitative analysis of each DJ's career trajectory, including their musical style, branding, social media presence, and live performances. Additionally, the study incorporates survey data collected from Electronic Dance Music (EDM) fans to understand audience preferences and effective social media strategies, as well as interviews with DJs to gain firsthand insights into their experiences and perspectives. The results of the analysis reveal the diverse strategies employed by DJs to connect with audiences, ranging from innovative live performances to strategic social media engagement. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of developing a unique musical identity and leveraging technology to enhance the live experience. In conclusion, the paper underscores the significance of adaptability, creativity, and authenticity in the success of DJs, while also acknowledging the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.
ContributorsBauer-Bedrick, Hugo (Author) / Hinderaker, Luke (Co-author) / Dong, Xiaodan (Thesis director) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This paper delves into the strategies and practices employed by DJs (disc jockeys) in the electronic music industry to achieve success and maintain relevance in an ever-evolving landscape. In the rapidly evolving landscape of the modern digital world, both established and up-and-coming DJs face unique challenges in marketing themselves and creating a distinctive brand identity within the highly competitive electronic music industry. As the digital era continues to redefine the music landscape, traditional promotional strategies no longer suffice, and emerging DJs must navigate a complex ecosystem of online platforms, social media, streaming services, and live events to effectively promote their music and differentiate themselves from their peers. Through a comprehensive analysis of three DJs with varying levels of popularity, the study aims to identify the key factors contributing to their success, as well as areas for potential improvement. The objectives of the research are to understand the different approaches adopted by DJs, assess their effectiveness in engaging audiences and building a fan base, and offer insights into the evolving role of DJs in the digital age. The methodology involves a qualitative analysis of each DJ's career trajectory, including their musical style, branding, social media presence, and live performances. Additionally, the study incorporates survey data collected from Electronic Dance Music (EDM) fans to understand audience preferences and effective social media strategies, as well as interviews with DJs to gain firsthand insights into their experiences and perspectives. The results of the analysis reveal the diverse strategies employed by DJs to connect with audiences, ranging from innovative live performances to strategic social media engagement. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of developing a unique musical identity and leveraging technology to enhance the live experience. In conclusion, the paper underscores the significance of adaptability, creativity, and authenticity in the success of DJs, while also acknowledging the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.
ContributorsHinderaker, Luke (Author) / Bauer, Hugo (Co-author) / Dong, Xiaodan (Thesis director) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The reed quintet is an intriguing and innovative chamber ensemble that offers adistinctive soundscape to the genre of chamber music. Through significant efforts to
legitimize the ensemble, the reed quintet now exists as a viable option for chamber
musicians. However, a significant challenge remains in the limited accessibility of
repertoire suitable for developing musicians interested in reed quintets. REED
REVOLUTION: A Fundamental Approach to Reed Quintet represents a comprehensive
solution, offering aspiring student chamber musicians the essential pedagogical tools and
materials needed to excel in a reed quintet setting.
This method book encompasses a wide array of strategies aimed at fostering a
functional and collaborative ensemble, establishing foundational chamber music skills,
and introducing five original compositions commissioned specifically for this project.
With REED REVOLUTION, student reed quintets can begin their chamber music journey
equipped with tools to become a successful ensemble prepared to explore the existing
reed quintet repertoire. Additionally, the method book includes a collection of online
resources and recordings, performed by the Arcane Reed Quintet, produced by Dr.
Joshua Gardner, and recorded by Jin Studios, LLC. These resources include reference
recordings and practice tracks for each instrument and the ensemble, serving as
invaluable aids in the learning process.
ContributorsMacDonald, Benjamin Xavier (Author) / Creviston, Christopher (Thesis advisor) / Gardner, Joshua (Committee member) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain and nervous system to change, has captured scientific and public attention in recent decades. Practice engages short and long-term neuroplasticity and is the primary determinant of expertise in any field. Accordingly, many musicians spend tens of thousands of hours practicing throughout their lives. Musicians of any level can learn, teach, and perform better using evidence-based practice strategies from fields including neuroscience, motor learning, music education, educational psychology, and performance psychology. Fortunately, many resources have been published in the last five years that directly apply cognitive science to musical training. This paper discusses strategies for three critical elements of learning and neuroplasticity: focus, repetition, and rest. Effective focus includes attention and mindfulness, physical alertness and arousal, and executive functions such as self-control, planning, and emotional regulation. Feedback, motivation, situational context, and goals direct focus and improve learning. While excessive mindless repetition leads to diminishing returns, dulled perception, and even performance injury, effective repetition remains a requirement for motor learning. Effective repetition is mindful, varied, deliberate, spaced out over time, and even playful, creative, and interesting. Instead of aiming for exact replication, each iteration leads to improvement or discovery. Furthermore, new research suggests that most learning happens during rest, not when actively performing the skill. Rest improves cognitive performance, stabilizes and strengthens memories, and facilitates physical and mental wellness. Learners can leverage the benefits of rest through sleep, distributing practice schedules, deep rest in the hours after learning, and microbreaks between repetitions.
Your Brain on Practice integrates my experience as a performer and researcher by applying strategies that leverage focus, repetition, and rest to Carl Nielsen’s Concerto for Clarinet, op. 57 (1928). I performed Nielsen’s Concerto for my final doctoral recital and used my preparation of the piece to deliberately apply and reflect on evidence-based practice strategies to facilitate artistic expression and technical fluency. While specific examples are drawn from Nielsen and discussed through my lens as a clarinetist, I aim for this research to benefit anyone who wants to continue learning throughout life, young learners who are making the most of their neuroplasticity, and musicians looking for specific strategies to master their craft.
ContributorsBraase, Riley Andrew (Author) / Spring, Robert (Thesis advisor) / Gardner, Joshua (Thesis advisor) / Caslor, Jason (Committee member) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024
Description
Incorporating technology into musical teaching and practice fosters a more engaging and effective learning experience. Recent developments in sonic visualization programs have resulted in accessible teaching and practice tools for flutists; however, many flutists are unfamiliar with appropriate pedagogical uses for these programs. The goal of this paper is to propose methods to apply sonic visualization as a pedagogical tool for evaluating dynamics, articulation, envelope information, and tone in flute playing. Spectral and waveform analysis methods can be used to gather objective and extrinsic feedback for flute teachers or students to utilize in the music learning process. Following an overview of the acoustical properties measured in sonic visualization analyses, considerations are outlined for selecting a program for use with students or personal studies. Selected exercises—some newly composed, and some chosen from the standard Western concert flute repertoire—demonstrate the pedagogical use of these tools through written and graphic analyses of flute playing and offer suggestions for further implementation of these tools into flute practice and pedagogy.
ContributorsHannon, Mikaela (Author) / Buck, Elizabeth (Thesis advisor) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Gardner, Joshua (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024
Description
This paper presents three new arrangements of works for solo tuba and piano, originally written by Black composers before 1950. The works presented here include Méphisto masqué by Edmond Dédé, Three Arabian Dances by Amanda Aldridge, and Warbling in the Moonlight by Alton Augustus Adams. Composer biographies, a formal analysis, and form diagrams are included for each piece, along with the new transcriptions.
ContributorsMatejek, Matthew Ryan (Author) / Swoboda, Deanna (Thesis advisor) / Edwards, Bradley (Committee member) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Music memorization is a very broad topic with many variables, which changes from case to case. This study mentions historical development, benefits of memorizing music, challenges musicians face with music memorization, and current methods and strategies. It summarizes experiments and studies in various fields including visual design, neuroscience, music, and physiology. It aims to help musicians to make a better judgment in the future about whether to memorize a certain piece of music or not, and to provide effective strategies that can be used.
ContributorsChen, Kemi (Author) / Compitello, Michael (Thesis advisor) / Norton, Kay (Committee member) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024
Description
Saxophonists regularly transcribe works from the 19th and 20th centuries in order tobolster our repertoire from those eras. As one of the youngest concert instruments, few
substantial works exist for the instrument prior to the mid 20th century. By regularly
transcribing works that are standards in other instruments’ repertoires, we have perpetuated
the historical underrepresentation of female composers from the same time period. In answer
to this, I have researched, analyzed, transcribed, and recorded four works originally for violin
and piano written by female composers born in the 19th century. This program represents
differing styles and nationalities, while being a cohesive program of works. The repertoire
consists of a set of character pieces by Ika Peyron, sonatas by Dora Pejačević and Germaine
Tailleferre, and finally a theme and variations by Teresa Milanollo to serve as a closer. Each
chapter provides insights into my transcription process and tables of the alterations made to
the original material, as well as short analyses of each piece.
i
ContributorsDodge-Overstreet, Jessica (Author) / Creviston, Christopher (Thesis advisor) / Shea, Nicholas (Thesis advisor) / Swoboda, Deanna (Committee member) / Spring, Robert (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
A Garden of Roses is a composition for wind ensemble written between October 2022 and March 2023 during a residency with the Arizona State University Wind Ensemble. The piece was inspired by a narrative of grief and acceptance abstracted from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s children’s story The Little Prince, and explores the relationship between auditory perception and expectation, influenced by David Huron’s Sweet Anticipation: Music and the Psychology of Expectation. The piece is approximately 9 minutes in duration.
ContributorsCastillo, Alicia (Author) / Bolanos, Gabriel (Thesis advisor) / Navarro, Fernanda (Committee member) / Shea, Nicholas (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023