Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Ellen Ziegler
Keywords
marching band, social cognitive learning theory, social justice, structured programming
Disciplines
Education
Recommended Citation
Bethea, Chanda M., "Marching Beyond the Music: The Lived Experiences of High School Band Alumni and their Skill Development Toward Productive Citizenship – A Phenomenological Study" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8359.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8359
Abstract
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of cultivating perseverance during adversity through participating in music programs for band alumni in a high school within a mid-Atlantic location. The theoretical framework was firmly anchored in Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory, which underscored the transformative power of secondary music programs and their profound impact on inner-city youth. The central research question asked, what are the lived experiences of former band alumni who learned new skills to become productive citizens through participation in music programs? The methodology was a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative research approach that addresses social or human problems, analyzing data through both inductive and deductive methods. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 alumni participants based on their years of participation. There was no specific site because all participants are alumni of the band. The data collection methods consisted of in-depth interviews, reflective journal writing, and active participation in focus groups with band alumni, complemented by comprehensive analysis using van Manen’s interpretive method. The themes discovered were Camaraderie and the Essence of Band, The Fuel: Grit, Discipline, and Resiliency, Musicianship Fosters Accountability and Leadership, and Mindfulness and Self-Reflection Regarding Music Programs.
