Linda Thornton, PhD

Dr. Thornton is currently collaborating with a K–12 music teacher in a project to understand the community perceptions of the school’s music program, with special attention to inclusion and diversity. In addition, Dr. Thornton is working with a current graduate student to explore the experiences of new music teacher educators.

B.M.—Northwestern University
M.Ed.—University of Missouri, Columbia
Ph.D.—University of Missouri, Columbia

Book chapter:

I recently published a chapter in Pluralism in American Music Education Research: Essays and Narratives (Dansereau, D. & Dorfman, J., eds.; 2018, Springer) entitled Passions, Tensions, and Quality in Research Questions.

Other recent publications:

Thornton, L., & Culp, M. E. (2020). Instrumental Opportunities: Music for All. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 38(3), 48-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/8755123320907140

Stringham, D., Thornton, L., & Shevock, D. (2015). Composition and improvisation in instrumental methods courses: Instrumental music educators’ perspectives. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 205, 7-25. 

Thornton, L. (2015). Important others: Music teachers’ perceived roles in music teacher recruitment. Journal of Music Teacher Education, 24(3), 97-107.

I am completing writing up (submission in Spring, 2019) two research studies, one a case study of elementary instrumental students with physical challenges and their teacher; another is a national survey of band teachers and their views on change in the profession. I have three projects I am starting involving leadership, repertoire and new music teacher educators.

Linda Thornton is graduate chair of music education and contributes to the musical education of students and teachers through teaching, publications, workshops, clinics, and conducting. At Penn State, Thornton teaches instrumental methods courses with a focus on elementary and middle school levels, freshman seminar, and advises music education students in the Schreyer Honors College. She regularly teaches courses for current music teachers in reflective practice and assessment, as well as teaches Psychology of Music and advises dissertations for Ph.D. students. Her “Partners in Music” initiative with Dr. Robert Gardner, a collaboration between the State College Area School District, Our Lady of Victory, and Penn State, was recognized in 2015 with Penn State’s “Community Engagement and Scholarship Award” and in 2016 with the College Music Society’s “Robby D. Gunstream Education in Music Award.”

Her research interests include pedagogy for beginning instrumentalists, composition and improvisation for instrumental students, music teacher recruitment and socialization, and reflective practice. She has published articles and chapters on these topics in several journals and books, including The Bulletin for the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Musicianship: Composing in Band and Orchestra (GIA). She has presented workshops and research and conducted ensembles throughout Pennsylvania as well as nationally and internationally. Thornton serves as the chair-elect for the Society for Music Teacher Education, research coordinator for the eastern division conference of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), North American review editor for Research in Music Education, and as a reviewer for the Journal of Teacher Education and Educators.  She has served as an adviser for Music Educators Journal, chair for the Music Teacher Education Special Research Interest Group within NAfME, and as research chair for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) as well as PMEA’s strategic planning committee.

Thornton earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Northwestern University, and graduate degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In between degrees, she taught band in public schools in northern and southern Illinois. Prior to her appointment at Penn State, she held a similar position at the State University of New York, College at Fredonia.