The Lyrics of Leadership

Author:

Lorefice, Lindsey Lane

Area of Honors:

Music Education

Degree:

Bachelor of Music Education

Document Type:

Thesis

Thesis Supervisors:

Mark Edward Ballora, Thesis Supervisor
Ann Callistro Clements, Thesis Honors Advisor

Keywords:

Leadership
Lyrics
Music
Children
Television
Variety Show
Songs
Skits
Sketches

Abstract:

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, won’t you be mine?” This lyrical quote from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood transitionally signals to children to prepare their minds for learning. The purpose of this study was to develop a pilot video episode of an original television series, the Lyrics of Leadership, to teach leadership skills to elementary-age children, but appropriate for all ages, through songs, skits, and sketches. A theoretical literature review of music, leadership, and specific television shows shed background information. In a world of visual, auditory, and kinetic stimulation, children learn behaviors that affect their lives. The methodology of the study included viewing current television shows and analyzing two shows that aired before 2005 and two shows that aired after 2006 for topical, musical, and leadership content, as well as for strengths, weaknesses, and desired improvements. The observations found no children’s television program that directly teaches leadership. After developing the pilot, a class of second grade students viewed the Lyrics of Leadership and answered a ten-question survey about leadership before viewing the episode, immediately following the viewing, and one week later. The survey’s answers demonstrated improved leadership skills. The study validated that viewers learned skills on handling various situations, developing leadership traits, and retaining techniques for future use. As the host, I incorporated musical methods, scripted skits, and my own thematic songs sung on film to create an original television variety show to educate, entertain, and energize the audience. The show owes homage to past children’s television successes like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; yet, it incorporates new evidence-based learning methodologies, pop-culture references, and current situations children now face in the world.