Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (PhD)
Chair
Spencer L. Byrd
Keywords
specific learning disabilities, special education, popular music education, informal learning, secondary education, modern band
Disciplines
Special Education and Teaching
Recommended Citation
Sheffer, Nathan Ogden, "Modern Band: Increasing Access to Music Learning for Individuals with Specific Learning Disability (SLD)" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8462.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8462
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the lived experiences of students with specific learning disabilities who participate in a modern band class, gaining access to and support for music learning in secondary educational settings. This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach guided by the theoretical frameworks of informal music learning theory, Universal Design for Learning, and the principles of modern band pedagogy. The problem is that the literature has not fully addressed strategies and methods for incorporating secondary students into music learning through participation in a modern band class, thereby providing more authentic opportunities for music-making. The rationale for this research was that gathering data on balancing formal, non-formal, and informal music learning through modern band pedagogy is critical to providing individuals with specific learning disabilities access to inclusive, meaningful music-making opportunities in secondary education. The central research question asked, What are the lived experiences of individuals with specific learning disabilities engaging in music learning while participating in a modern band ensemble? The study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals with specific learning disabilities, aged twelve to seventeen, who were enrolled in a Pennsylvania public secondary education school setting and participating in a modern band class for one semester. Seven students from one middle school and one high school participated in this study. The data collection methods for this research included interviews and in-person and video-recorded observations. Data were analyzed using the qualitative data analysis software Delve to generate codes and identify themes during the data processing stage. The conclusion includes recommendations for future research.
