Evaluation of Kansas public community college music programs in meeting the goals for general education established by the National Association of Schools of Music and the College Music Society

This study analyzes the music departments of Kansas public community colleges (1) to ascertain whether those responsible for music curricula agree that general education is a priority, and (2) to evaluate how well Kansas community college music departments meet the needs of general education music students compared to the guidelines for general music education established by the National Association of Schools of Music and The College Music Society. The study addresses the broad issues related to music in general education: (1) academic music courses, (2) faculty assigned to teach these courses, and (3) performance opportunities for students other than music majors.This study presents data compiled from surveys mailed to community college music department spokespersons at each of the nineteen community colleges in the State of Kansas. Potential respondents were selected from the full-time music faculty list provided by the Kansas Association of Community Colleges. For purposes of this study, general education music courses are defined as academic courses, performing ensembles, and private study designed for students not majoring or minoring in music. Sixteen colleges responded, resulting in an eighty-four percent response rate.Kansas community college music department respondents prioritized music curricula functions as: (1) transfer of music majors/minors to four-year schools; (2) general education opportunities; (3) community service; (4) vocational training; and (5) remedial education. Although only three community colleges in Kansas report belonging to the National Association of Schools of Music, and in spite of the fact that a majority of institutions give highest priority to the major/minor transfer student, the state's community colleges' music curricula offered to the general-education student compare favorably to both NASM and CMS standards.School of MusicThesis (D.A.