Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Music Education (DME)
Chair
Hanna Byrd
Keywords
high school band enrollment, eighth-grade students, small-town school districts, Ohio, music education, band recruitment, band retention, student participation
Disciplines
Education | Music
Recommended Citation
Kauffman, Jon Steven, "Factors Influencing High School Band Enrollment for Eighth Grade Students in Ohio Small Town School Districts" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8368.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8368
Abstract
Many factors influence the choices of eighth-grade students as they decide whether to enroll in high school band. While musical ability and achievement can play a role in this decision, research suggests that social influences, such as peer relationships, a sense of belonging, and the band program's cultural environment, often have a greater impact on students' decisions. The Ohio Department of Education classifies school districts into four categories: Urban, Rural, Suburban, and Small-town. Although similar to other designations, small-town districts require a distinct label because of the unique mix of factors in these locations. They lack the population density of an urban area, but often face many similar issues related to poverty and socioeconomic concerns. Like rural areas, small-town districts are removed from access to retail and services of large population centers, but do not always share the sense of stability and community found in rural districts. Factors that shape small-town settings may differ significantly from those in rural or urban areas due to distinct community structures and school environments. Identifying the motivating and discouraging factors that influence student band participation in high school will equip music educators with strategies to enhance recruitment and retention. Using qualitative research and thematic analysis, this study examined how social, personal, and contextual factors influence enrollment decisions among eighth-grade band students in small-town public school districts in Ohio. Overall, the findings suggest that relationships, a sense of belonging, enjoyment, manageable challenges, and opportunities for personal and musical growth influenced students' decisions to continue in high school band.
