Resumen de Perceptions of Beginning Teachers Regarding Brass and Woodwind Instrument Techniques Classes in Preservice Education

Colleen Conway, Ryan Hourigan, Ann Marie Stanley

• The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of four beginning teachers regarding their secondary instrument class experience at the University of Michigan. Research questions for the inquiry included: (a) What has been most valuable for beginning teachers from the brass and woodwind instrument courses? and (b) What suggestions do beginning teachers have for the improvement of the brass and woodwind instruments portion of preservice education? Data included observations and an individual interview with each beginning teacher; a focus group interview; an email survey response for each beginning teacher; and self-study teacher-researcher logs from the secondary instrument course instructors who are also the researchers. Categories of findings include: Role of specific course content in the larger conceptual framework of the degree program; the need for different knowledge in high school versus beginning band; use of notebooks, handouts, and resources from the course; who should teach the courses?; playing the instruments; and on the job training. Suggestions for restructure of secondary instrument courses and discussion of issues in teacher education are included throughout.