Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Student Leadership in a High School Band

There are numerous components of a high school band program. Studies have been done that focus on curriculum, performance, competition, and other musical and non-musical aspects of high school band. This bounded case study focused on student leadership within a high school band. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attributes, characteristics, and qualities of student leadership in a high school band through the lens of stakeholders (students, band directors, and parents) of a high school band program that has an established student leadership component. To capture the perceptions of the stakeholders, I conducted focus group interviews with students, parents, and directors. I also conducted individual interviews with each of the focus group participants. Participants in this study shared their experiences and perceptions on the role(s) that student leadership plays in a high school band program, the influence of student leadership on students’ band experience, the essence of their student leadership experience, and student leadership’s effect on the student leaders’ lives outside of the band experience. The goal of this study was to add to the limited literature that focused on student and parent perceptions on high school band through the student leadership aspect. Band directors and other educators (or coaches) who wish to enhance the student leadership component of their program can benefit from this study.