Dimensions of Community Band Participation Scale (DCBP): Development of a survey

Abstract

This study describes the development of the Dimensions of Community Band Participation (DCBP) Scale to measure musicians’ motivations for participating in community bands. Participants (N = 67) included members of a university-sponsored community band consisting of both university students and community members. Members ranged in age from 18 to 73 (M = 28). In addition to completing the DCBP Scale, participants responded to two additional open-ended questions that allowed researchers to assess participant involvement and retention in the community band. The DCBP provides insight into key reasons for participation across all age groupings within adulthood and calls attention to three important aspects of participation: fellowship, personal musicianship and conductor leadership. Implications for this measure include providing community band directors with insight into members’ expectations and motivations for joining and continued participation.