British Journal of Music Education

Table of Contents - July 2012 - Volume 29, Issue 02  

Research Article

Round and round we go: an ‘action’ ride on the rehearsing and performing cycle

Mark Pulmana1

a1 University of Huddersfield, University Campus Barnsley, Church Street Barnsley, S70 2AN, UK m.pulman@hud.ac.uk

Abstract

This article discusses the use of action research cycles on a course involving groupwork rehearsing and performance. The aim was to explore various pedagogic aspects of the activities and improve tutor practice. This account of four action research spirals, taking place over a 10-year period of rehearsing and performing, considers their management and operation including activities, interventions, data collection, reflection and re-planning. Conducting action research spirals of this length can raise issues about combining the roles of tutor and researcher, balancing action and reflection, and managing an extensive and varied data corpus. Employing several cycles in an action research inquiry however, allows the retracing of previous interventions, and a fine-tuning of the process. A spiral of cycles, incorporating interventions, together with informal and structured reflection, can be effective in improving practice and adding strength and depth to the inquiry. This study also offers a contribution towards filling the gap in the literature on lengthy cyclical action research studies.

(Online publication April 02 2012)

Mark Pulman is a Senior Lecturer in Popular Music at the University of Huddersfield. He has pursued careers both as a freelance professional musician and in music promotion, where he has substantial business experience working in publishing and record companies including Warner/Chappell Music, Music Sales Ltd and Novello. Prior to this, he was Head of Music at two secondary schools. He researched peer learning in popular music for his PhD and was recently awarded funding by the UK Higher Education Academy for pedagogical research exploring how pop/rock bands rehearse.