The relationship of band directors’ personal characteristics, professional skills, and external factors to student achievement: A comparison of in-service and pre-service band directors’ perspectives

The twofold purpose of this study was: 1.) to determine which personal characteristics, professional skills, and external factors contribute to the success of a band program and 2.) to compare the perspectives of in-service (n=62) and pre-service (n=35) band directors. Results from this study indicated that personal characteristics linked to personability, moral fortitude, and ethical behavior were most significant to both groups of survey participants. Additionally, this study determined that in-service band directors value personal characteristics more than pre-service band directors and the pre-service directors valued professional skills and external factors more than the in-service directors. However, both participant groups agreed that high school band director personal characteristics were most important to the success of a band program followed by professional skills and external factors.