Philosophy to Practice in Music Education: a Manifest Content Analysis of Beginning Band Method Books

Beginning band method books are a staple curricular resource in countless beginning band programs in the United States. However, since the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) were published in 2014, no study has been found that analyzes to what extent method books show evidence of the National Core Arts Standards Philosophical Foundations (NCASPF). The purpose of this study is to interrogate Essential Elements and Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician for evidence of philosophy to practice. Using the NCASPF as a philosophical framework, I conducted a manifest content analysis. The findings show a lack of evidence of NCASPF in both method books compared to total content analyzed. Through these findings, questions emerged about the role of philosophy in beginning band method books.