Music Education Major Shares Leadership Research

April 17, 2014

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Samantha Chase, a junior music education major in Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, recently presented at two conferences her research into conducting leadership training for a high school marching band.

Chase’s study, “Student Perception of Active Leadership Training in High School Marching Ensembles,” was presented at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference from Jan. 24-25 at Columbus State and the Southern Regional Honors Council Research Conference from March 27-29 in Savannah.

As part of her research, Chase created an eight-hour leadership workshop with the needs of a high school marching band in mind. She conducted the workshop at a local high school, later surveying participating students. Results indicated students felt Chase was effective in communicating information. Respondents also reported they felt better connected and better understood by their peers.

Sean Powell, an associate professor of music education at CSU, oversaw Chase’s research project.

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