Teaching Music Theory Through COVID-19

Authors

Donna Deloy, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Stanley V. Kleppinger

Date of this Version

Spring 5-2022

Document Type

Article

Citation

Deloy, Donna. "Teaching Music Theory Through COVID-19." Master's thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2022.

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Music, Major: Music, Under the Supervision of Professor Stanley V. Kleppinger. Lincoln, Nebraska: May, 2022

Copyright © 2022 Donna C. Deloy

Abstract

This thesis surveyed music theory instructors throughout the United States. Throughout the interviews, instructors shared their insights during COVID-19 as a college instructor. This thesis seeks to describe and inform college instructors of the changes made to the undergraduate curriculum and classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result, instructors found and created new ways to engage students in a classroom through an online format. While creating an online music theory course is challenging, instructors share their experiences navigating this temporary shift beginning in March 2020. A suggestion of implementing more technology into the music theory core could create a higher rate of academic retention and increase student outcomes. Finally, this thesis describes the avenues for online music theory programs and their benefits in a four-semester cycle.

Advisor: Stanley V. Kleppinger