In education policy, research, and reform, rural education spaces are often an afterthought, if included at all (Azano et al., 2021; McShane & Smarick, 2018; Tieken, 2014). Music education research has followed a similar trend, with scholarly efforts directed toward school districts with greater resources or addressing racial equity while excluding rural music programs (Bates, 2011). To bring rural music education into discussions of music education for all, there is a need to understand what rural spaces are and how rural communities and music programs interact. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and value of elementary music in rural communities. Specific research questions were: 1) How do students, music teachers, administrators, and caregivers in rural communities view their elementary music programs, and what meanings do these stakeholders construct? 2) In what ways do elementary music teachers connect with and respond to their communities? I designed and completed an instrumental multiple case study (Stake, 1995; Yin, 2018) that included elementary school music programs. Primary participants were rural three elementary music teachers representing different geographic areas of the United States. Additional participants included students in third through fifth grade, elementary administrators, secondary music teachers (where available) and caregivers. I conducted three interviews with each elementary music teacher as well as a week-long residence at each site. I interviewed administrators and secondary music teachers. I conducted focus group sessions with caregivers and students. I generated field notes, thick descriptions, and researcher memos. Throughout design, data collection and analysis, I utilized social constructivism with a focus on meaning making (Charmaz, 2014; Hayes, 2020) as my theoretical framework. I analyzed the data and generated case descriptions, then conducted a cross-case analysis. My cross-case analysis revealed shared and unique values of the elementary music program. Participants highlighted music enjoyment, music as a social connection, and the music teacher and important. I observed several hierarchies being enacted within the school and community impacting the music program, including suburbanormative biases and the subordinate status of elementary music. Music teachers worked to navigate community perceptions of music benefits, such as academic support, emotional regulation, and preparation for secondary ensembles. Participants described the connections their elementary music program created and engaged with place as a locale and a physical location. Based on the findings from each case and my cross-case analysis, I presented several implications for practice and policy, including a closer examination of the definition of musical success, further investigation into the wants and needs of rural elementary music educators, and the importance of soliciting essential voices in music education research.
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