Dula, MarkHoward, Kevin2019-05-082019-05-082019-05-05http://hdl.handle.net/11558/4311The purpose of this study was to examine various motivators associated with student decision-making and investigate the impact of those motivators on a student’s band participation during their middle-grade years. The goal was to identify which motivation type had the greatest impact on student choice. This quantitative study surveyed a variety of motivational factors impacting student choice and decision-making for 10 to 14-year-old band students within a suburban area. Motivation types included in the study were teacher-student relationships, peer influence, family involvement, success/failure, intrinsic, extrinsic, and competition/ego. The sample contained in this study included 378 band students from a suburban school district in East Tennessee. Data gathered from the responses to the survey indicated that of the motivational topics that were included in this study, teacher relationship and intrinsic motivation were the two areas which had the greatest influence on whether or not a student would choose to remain in band or quit. Interest in becoming involved in another activity; such as sports, different organizations, or school curriculum, was also a strong factor in a student’s decision as to their ongoing participation in band.en-USMotivationRetentionAttritionRecruitmentIntrinsic motivationExtrinsic motivationMaster of Education (M.Ed.) ThesisRISE Above Research ConferenceThesis