The Effect of Score on Band Directors’ Written Comments of a Recorded Performance

Droe, K.L. (2012). The Effect of Score on Band Directors’ Written Comments of a Recorded Performance. Journal of Band Research, 47(2), 1-10.

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This study examined how the presence of a musical score influences band directors’ written comments when evaluating a recorded performance. Forty-one middle and high school band directors were assigned to listen to a recording either with or without access to the score and asked to write comments about the performance. Results indicated that directors viewing the score wrote significantly more comments overall and produced more disapproving comments, often tied directly to notated elements such as articulation, rhythm, and dynamics. Directors without a score made more approving comments and focused more on general elements such as tone and intonation. These findings suggest that the score can shape not only what directors notice, but also how they frame their feedback, with implications for rehearsal practices and teacher training.