News Events Athletics Centers & Community Programs Alumni
Request Info Visit Apply Make a Gift

Search Seton Hill

Christopher M. Marra

Christopher M. Marra
Director of Instrumental Activities, Assistant Professor of Music, Euphonium
Music (B.A. and B.M.), Music Education, Music Therapy

Dr. Christopher M. Marra is an Associate Professor of Music and the Director of Instrumental Activities at Seton Hill University. As a part of his duties, Dr. Marra conducts the Westmoreland Symphonic Winds and teaches courses in music education, conducting, and brass. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University, a MM in Music Education with an emphasis in wind band conducting from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in wind band conducting from the University of Michigan. Prior to his university teaching, Dr. Marra taught high school band and orchestra for 10 years in San Jose, CA where he held board positions with the CMEA Bay Section and the California Band Directors Association. He is an active member and presenter at a variety of state, national, and international education organizations including: National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), Michigan Music Educators Association (MMEA), Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA), and California Band Directors Association (CBDA), and American Educational Research Association (AERA). Dr. Marra authored and co-authored several articles in the field of music education and has been published in the Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME), the Journal of Music Teacher Education (JMTE), and the Music Educator’s Journal (MEJ). He is a contributing author in The Oxford Handbook of Preservice Music Teacher Education and Critical Issues in Music Education: Contemporary Theory and Practice both published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Marra is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for several state and national organizations including Drum Corps International (DCI). His research interests include: social influence in music education, music teacher retention, and undergraduate teacher preparation.

Education

  • Ph.D. Music Education, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI), 2019

  • M.M. Music Education, Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), 2010

  • B.S. Music Education, Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA), 2005

Publications

  • Marra, C. (2020). Syllabus for conducting fundamentals. Conway Publications, https://conway-publications.com/sample-syllabi/

  • Vaughan-Marra, J., & Marra, C. (2021, April 25). Value of music education [Letter to the editor]. Tribune-Review, https://triblive.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor- value-of-music-education/

  • Conway, C. M., & Marra, C., & Vaughan-Marra, J. C. (2022). The career of a music teacher: Students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. In H. Abeles & L. Custodero (Eds.), Critical issues in music education: Contemporary theory and practice (2nd ed.). (pp. 321-338). Oxford University Press.

  • Marra, C. (2022, in press). Effective use of simple technology: Video and collaborative note taking to enhance performance and assessment in conducting and methods classes. PMEA News: The Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, 86(4).

  • Marra, C. (2022, in press) [Review of the book The Elements of Expressive Conducting, by M. Haithcock, B. K. Doyle, K. M. Geraldi, & J. Schwiebert]. Music Educators Journal.

  • Marra, C. (2022, in press). Reframing recruitment as marketing: Building connections with prospective high school music students, families, and administrators. Music Educators Journal.

  • Marra, C. M. (2019). The Relationship Between Large Ensemble Participation and the Social Identity of High-Performing Secondary Band, Orchestra, and Choir Students (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/149923

  • Marra, C. M. (2020). Avoiding 9th grade attrition: Strategies for an effective transition to your high school music program. The Music Educator Blog: SmartMusic.

  • Conway, C. M., Vaughan-Marra, J., & Marra, C. (2020). Balancing the varied needs of master of music education students: Perceptions from program directors and alumni. Journal of Research in Music Education. 69(1), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429420951953

  • Conway, C. M., Marra, C., & Vaughan-Marra, J. (2020). Perceptions of program directors regarding the design and implementation of the Master of Music degree in music education. Journal of Music Teacher Education, 29(3), 91–105. https://www.doi.org/10.1177/1057083720926740

  • Marra, C. M., & Vaughan-Marra, J. C. (2016). A report on the 2015 Society for Music Teacher Education symposium. Michigan Music Educator, 53(2), 35-36.

  • West, C., & Marra, C. M. (2018). Marching band. In C. Conway, K. Pellegrino, A. M. Stanley, & C. West (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Preservice Music Teacher Education in the United States.

  • Vaughan-Marra, J. C., & Marra, C. M. (2017). Teaching music in the flat world: Reflections on the work of Darling-Hammond and Rothman. Arts Education Policy Review. doi:10.1080/10632913.2016.1249322

Presentations

  • Marra, C. (2017). Living A Double Life: The listening practices of music education majors. Research poster presented at the Michigan Music Conference, Grand Rapids MI. Additional Presentations: • California All-State Music Educators Conference, February 2016

  • Marra, C. (2017). Making the case for music in our schools: What can we apply from the world of business marketing? Research poster presented at the B1G Academic Alliance Music Education Conference, College Park MD.

  • Marra, C. (2017). Factors influencing music teacher retention: A literature review. Research poster presented at the 2017 Society for Music Teacher Educators (SMTE) Conference, Minneapolis MN.

  • Conway, C., Vaughan-Marra, J., & Marra, C. (2017). Master’s in music education. Research poster presented at the 2017 Society for Music Teacher Educators (SMTE) Conference, Minneapolis MN.

  • Conway, C., Marra, C., & Vaughan-Marra, J. (2018). Success and challenge in the music education Master’s degree. Poster presentation at the National Association for Music Educators Research (NAfME) Conference, Atlanta GA.

  • Marra, C. (2018). Factors influencing music teacher retention: A case study of four music teachers leaving successful music program. Research poster presented at the 2018 National Association for Music Educators Research (NAfME) Conference, Atlanta GA.

  • Conway, C., Marra, C., & Vaughan-Marra, J. (2019). Balancing the varied needs of Master of music education students: Perceptions from program directors and alumni. Poster Presentation at the 2019 PMEA/NAfME Eastern Division Biennial In-Service Conference, Pittsburgh PA.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Music Student Social Identity: The Role of the Music Educator. Research poster presented at the 2019 Society for Music Teacher Educators (SMTE) Conference, Greensboro NC.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Perceived Stress in Undergraduate Music Majors. Poster Presentation at the 2019 IMTE (Instrument Music Teacher Educators) Biennial Colloquium, Perrysville, OH.

  • Marra, C. (2020). Perceived Stress in Undergraduate Music Majors. Accepted for presentation at the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Poconos, PA. (Submitted for alternative poster-session presentation on view at the PMEA Research Webpage, May 15-June 15, and the abstract for archiving at the PMEA Research Webpage.)

  • POSTER PRESENTATIONS

  • Marra, C. (2016). Living a double life: The listening practices of music education majors. Research paper presentation at the Michigan Music Conference, Grand Rapids MI.

  • Marra, C. (2017). Factors influencing music teacher retention: A case study of four music teachers leaving successful music programs. Research paper “Lightning Talk (PechaKucha)” at the 2017 Instrumental Music Teacher Educators Symposium, Perrysville OH.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Music Student Social Identity: The Role of the Music Educator. Research poster presentation at the 2019 Symposium on Music Teacher Education - Society for Music Teacher Educators (SMTE), Greensboro, NC.

  • Marra, C. (2021). The Relationship Between Large Ensemble Participation and the Social Identity of High-Performing Secondary Band, Orchestra, and Choir Students. Joint research symposium presentation at the 2021 Research and Teacher Education NAfME Biennial Conference, Live virtual presentation with Jerod Rawlings, Ph.D. – University of Utah, Elizabeth Parker, Ph.D. Temple University, and Bridget Sweet, Ph.D. – University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana.

  • Vaughan-Marra, J. C. & Marra, C. (2022). Effective use of simple technology: Video and collaborative note taking to enhance performance and assessment in conducting and methods classes. – Instrumental Music Teacher Educator’s Biennial Colloquium, “What Works” Session.

  • Marra, C. & Vaughan-Marra, J. C. (2022). Necessity is the mother of invention: Exploring lasting changes in music teacher curricular priorities during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond – Instrumental Music Teacher Educator’s Biennial Colloquium, Lighting Talk.

  • RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

  • Marra, C. (2018). Repertoire Selection: Finding the Balance between Artistry and Pedagogy Professional Development Presentation for WCMEA Jr. High Honors Band directors (Mar. 9, 2018) Burrell H.S. – Brian Quarry, teacher/host

  • Marra, C. (2020). Band Director as CEO: Building and Maintaining a Marching Band Staff Professional Development Presentation for PMEA High District 5 Band directors (Feb. 14, 2020) Everett H.S.

  • OTHER PRACTITIONER PRESENTATIONS

  • Vaughan-Marra, J. C. & Marra, C. (2017). Concert programing: A prism of opportunities. Practitioner presentation at the 2017 Indiana Music Educators Conference, Fort Wayne IN.

  • Marra, C. (2018). Speaking their language: Tools for effective communication with school administration. Practitioner presentation at the 2018 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Annual In-Service Conference, Lancaster PA. Additional Presentations: • Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, April 2018 • Michigan Music Conference, January 2017

  • Marra, C. (2018). Marketing Your Music Program. Practitioner presentation at the 2018 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Summer In-Service Conference, Harrisburg PA. Additional Presentations: • Michigan Music Conference, January 2017 • Indiana Music Educators Conference, January 2017 • California All-State Music Educators Conference, February 2017

  • Marra, C. (2019). Avoiding 9th Grade Attrition: Strategies for an Effective Transition to your High School Music Program. Practitioner presentation at the 2019 PMEA/NAfME Eastern Division Biennial In-Service Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Reading Band Conductor. Practitioner presentation at the 2019 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Summer In-Service Conference, Harrisburg PA.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Building Connections and Generating “Buzz” with Prospective High School Students and Families. Practitioner presentation at the 2019 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Summer In-Service Conference, Harrisburg PA.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Avoiding 9th Grade Attrition: Strategies for an Effective Transition to your High School Music Program. Practitioner presentation at the 2019 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Summer In-Service Conference, Harrisburg PA.

  • Marra, C. (2019). Culture by Design. Practitioner presentation at the 2019 PMEA District #1 Professional Development Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Marra, C., Vaughan-Marra, J., & Grantham, J. (2019). Culture by Design: Building Community and Sense of Purpose in the Large Ensemble. Practitioner presentation at the 2019 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Chicago, IL.

  • Marra, C. (2020). Maybe We Need to "Throw Away Some of the Roots": Reflections on What Might Stay and What Might Go Post Pandemic – Practitioner presentation at the 2020 PMEA Fall Workshop, Live Virtual Conference Presentation.

  • Marra, C. (2021). Musical Unity and Social Harmony: Cultivating Positive Ensemble Identity for Musical Excellence. Practitioner presentation at the PMEA (Virtual In-Service Conference.

  • Marra, C. (2021). It takes a village: Cultivating and sustaining a robust music booster program. – Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Summer Conference, Virtual Presentation.

  • Marra, C. (2022). Speaking their language: Tools for effective communication with school administration. – California All-State Music Educators Conference, Fresno, CA

  • Marra, C., Grantham, J., & Vaughan-Marra, J. (2022). Culture by design: Building community and sense of purpose in the large ensemble. – California All-State Music Educators Conference, Fresno, CA

  • Marra, C. (2022). Musical unity and social harmony: Cultivating positive ensemble identity for musical excellence. – California All-State Music Educators Conference, Fresno, CA

  • Marra, C. & Fox, T. (2022). Marching band adjudication: Supporting your program’s goals and positive student experiences – Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Workshop, Seton Hill University

  • Marra, C. (2022). Rebounding after the pandemic: Supporting colleagues and sharing strategies for the future (Panel presentation with Tim Daniels, Norwin H.S. & Brian Tichinski, Hempfield H.S.). – Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Workshop, Seton Hill University

  • Marra, C. (2022). Home away from home: Building community & purpose in your large ensemble. – Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Summer Conference, Reading, PA.

  • Marra, C. (2022). Music teacher self-care: Exploring common pitfalls and practical solutions towards achieving work-life harmony. – Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Summer Conference, Reading, PA.

  • CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS