THE EFFECTS OF AMPLIFICATION AND SELECTED VOCAL EXERCISES ON THE PERCEIVED VOCAL HEALTH OF ELEMENTARY MUSIC EDUCATORS

Vincent, Lynette Susanne. The effects of amplification and selected vocal exercises on the perceived vocal health of elementary music educators. Doctor of Philosophy (Music Education), May 2008, 145 pp., 10 tables, references, 60 titles. The main purpose of this study was to consider the effects of amplification and vocal function exercises on the perceived vocal health of elementary music educators (N = 37) from Oklahoma (n = 11) and Texas (n = 26). Participants were assigned to the use of the ChatterVoxTM amplifier or vocal function exercises based on pretest scores on the Voice Handicap Index with Music Teacher Voice Questionnaire (VHI/MVQ). Following the 4-week study period, participants completed the posttest VHI/MVQ. The results of a one-way ANCOVA that used treatment group as the independent variable, the summed posttest scores as the dependent variable, and the summed pretest scores as the covariate or control variable indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the adjusted means for the posttest scores, favoring the exercises group. The overall group and both treatment groups reported frequent loud voice use in work settings and in public places. The overall group and the amplification group reported hoarseness after prolonge