Alice Parker

Revision with unchanged content. This investigation is an in-depth examination of Alice Parker s philosophy of music in relation to choral teaching, arranging, and composing. The author proposes that within the context of multi-cultural American music, Alice Parker s unique approach to music making and how it is manifested within her choral compositions, arrangements, and teaching techniques is a signi ficant and valuable area of study for music educators, music students, and administrators. The research illuminates how Parker s philosophy of music encompasses many effective historical philosophies of music education as well as current trends in successful music education. The scope of the study includes a detailed analysis of Parker s philosophy of music within three of her diverse choral compositions and arrangements and an in-depth exami nation of her unique method of song leading, known as a SING. The author concludes that Ms. Parker s multi-faceted approach to music making prompts questions for further research into more comprehensive-based, rather than strictly performance-oriented, music education programs. Readers may hear two CDs of an interview with Ms. Parker, conducted by the author, and a DVD of one of her SINGs at swic.edu/instruction/music.