Factors Influencing Undergraduate Music Majors' Collegiate Decisions

Dr. Jay Juchniewicz
East Carolina University

Dr. Jeffrey Ward
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Pecos II
Thursday, March 27th
11:05 am

Clinic Synopsis

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of recruitment activities and methods of communication and interactions with faculty members on prospective undergraduate students’ decisions in selecting an institution in which to major in music. One-hundred eighty (N = 180) freshman and first-year transfer students completed an online survey over a four-year period regarding the influence of (a) musical events and activities sponsored and hosted on-campus by University music program and faculty, (b) guest clinics/masterclasses, private lessons, and ensemble performances engaged in by University music faculty, and (c) multiple forms of personal communication and widely available social media, on decisions to enroll in a university music program. Results indicated (1) respondents demonstrate a clear preference for events/activities that allow for interaction with University faculty members, rather than simply attending on-campus events, (2) private lessons were the most influential activity respondents participated in, with both “in-person” and “virtual” formats rated high in terms of influencing their decision, (3) personal communication is the preferred method of interacting with faculty, and engagement on social media has little to no influence on students’ decision to enroll, and (4) no significant differences were found between academic majors and recruitment activities or forms of communication. In addition to presenting the results of this investigation, including a complete breakdown of the data that includes respondents’ comments from the open-ended response section, time will be provided to discuss direct implications for the profession as well as a question-and-answer period to engage in meaningful discourse with the attendees regarding strategies and best practices related to recruitment and retention of collegiate music students.

Biographies

  • Dr. Jay Juchniewicz is Associate Dean for Research, Reporting and Curriculum in the College of Fine Arts and Communication and Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education in the School of Music at East Carolina University, where his instructional responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate music education courses and the ECU Concert Band. He completed his Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Music Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education/Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University.

    Prior to his appointment at East Carolina University, Juchniewicz taught at Jinks Middle School and Bay High School in Panama City, Florida. He is an active clinician, adjudicator, and conductor across the United States. He has also performed as a solo pianist and member of several wind ensembles throughout the United States, England, and Australia. Additionally, his arrangements for wind bands are published by Boosey & Hawkes and Timepiece Publications. Dr. Juchniewicz continues to present research on music teacher education and music perception and cognition at regional, state, national, and international conferences, and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Research in Music Education and the College Band Directors National Association Research Committee. His research publications appear in the premier music education and music therapy journals, including Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, Journal of Music Therapy, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Music Educators Journal. For more information, please visit: www.jjwindmusic.com

  • Dr. Jeffrey Ward is the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas RioGrande Valley (UTRGV). The College, made up of the School of Art and Design, School of Music, Department of Theatre, Department of Dance, and Department of CreativeWriting, is committed to connecting the students of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond to high-quality teaching, research, and creative activity; partnerships with Arts organizations and Industry; and global citizenship rooted in improving communities.

    Prior to his role at UTRGV, Dr. Ward served as the Director of the School of Music,Theatre, and Dance, and Professor of Music Education at Kansas State University and asthe Associate Dean in the College of Fine Arts and Communication and the AssociateDirector of the School of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Dr. Ward received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education (Conducting) fromShenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA; his Master of Music degree in ChoralConducting from East Carolina University; and his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.

    Dr. Ward’s research focuses on assessment, community music, and music teacher education. Dr. Ward is Past Chair of the Assessment Special Research Interest Group ofthe National Association for Music Education and a reviewer for Visions, an online musice ducation journal. As a conductor, Dr. Ward has served as the Artistic Director of the Manhattan (KS) Masterworks Chorale and the Greenville (NC) Choral Society, as well as in conducting positions at First United Methodist Church of Manhattan, St. James United Methodist Church of Greenville, and Monumental United Methodist Church of Portsmouth (VA).