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The Impact of Male University Marching Band Members' Sense of Belonging on Retention at One Historically Black University (HBCU) in Tennessee

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Title: The Impact of Male University Marching Band Members' Sense of Belonging on Retention at One Historically Black University (HBCU) in Tennessee
Language: English
Authors: Grant L. Winrow, Eleni Coukos Elder
Source: Athens Journal of Education. 2026 13(1):9-53.
Availability: Athens Institute for Education & Research. 8 Valaoritou Street, Kolonaki, Athens 10671, Greece. e-mail: education@atiner.gr; Web site: https://www.athensjournals.gr/aje
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 45
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Males, African American Students, Sense of Belonging, Music Activities, Black Colleges, Student Attitudes, College Environment, Student Leadership, Peer Relationship, Teacher Student Relationship, College Students
Geographic Terms: Tennessee
ISSN: 2407-9898
2241-7958
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate how participation in university marching bands influences Black male students' sense of belonging. Sense of belonging refers to students' perceived feelings of support and connection within their campus community. For this study, sense of belonging was measured by levels of peer and faculty support, and isolation. Framed on Tinto's "Model of Student Involvement and Student Departure" (1975, 1993), this mixed-methods study explored the influence of Black males' involvement in a university marching band on sense of belonging at one HBCU. Through an online survey to approximately 80 members from the Tennessee State University's "Aristocrat of Bands" marching band and a focus group session, participants described their marching band experiences and perceptions of how the band influenced their feelings of connection and mattering. Major findings: (a) HBCU marching bands are about tradition and community-building; (b) HBCU marching bands promote student leadership development; and, (c) the more time the student participates in the band, the higher his sense of peer support and faculty support) and the lower his sense of isolation. Results may guide band and student affairs administrators in optimizing opportunities to strengthen students' integration and enhancing retention strategies of Black male students. [Note: The page range (9-54) shown in the citation on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 9-53.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1496410
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Impact of Male University Marching Band Members' Sense of Belonging on Retention at One Historically Black University (HBCU) in Tennessee
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Grant+L%2E+Winrow%22">Grant L. Winrow</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eleni+Coukos+Elder%22">Eleni Coukos Elder</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Athens+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>Athens Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 13(1):9-53.
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  Data: Athens Institute for Education & Research. 8 Valaoritou Street, Kolonaki, Athens 10671, Greece. e-mail: education@atiner.gr; Web site: https://www.athensjournals.gr/aje
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Males%22">Males</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22African+American+Students%22">African American Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Music+Activities%22">Music Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Black+Colleges%22">Black Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Environment%22">College Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Leadership%22">Student Leadership</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Tennessee%22">Tennessee</searchLink>
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  Data: The purpose of this study was to investigate how participation in university marching bands influences Black male students' sense of belonging. Sense of belonging refers to students' perceived feelings of support and connection within their campus community. For this study, sense of belonging was measured by levels of peer and faculty support, and isolation. Framed on Tinto's "Model of Student Involvement and Student Departure" (1975, 1993), this mixed-methods study explored the influence of Black males' involvement in a university marching band on sense of belonging at one HBCU. Through an online survey to approximately 80 members from the Tennessee State University's "Aristocrat of Bands" marching band and a focus group session, participants described their marching band experiences and perceptions of how the band influenced their feelings of connection and mattering. Major findings: (a) HBCU marching bands are about tradition and community-building; (b) HBCU marching bands promote student leadership development; and, (c) the more time the student participates in the band, the higher his sense of peer support and faculty support) and the lower his sense of isolation. Results may guide band and student affairs administrators in optimizing opportunities to strengthen students' integration and enhancing retention strategies of Black male students. [Note: The page range (9-54) shown in the citation on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 9-53.]
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: African American Students
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      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
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      – SubjectFull: Music Activities
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      – SubjectFull: Black Colleges
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Student Leadership
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      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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