The Experiences of First-Time Honor Band Clinicians: A Multiple Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the honor band experiences of first-time honor band clinicians. I used intensity sampling to select two participants who had both served as an honor band clinician for the first time in 2019. Using Glaser's (1996) three-stage theory of expertise as a theoretical framework, I conducted individual semistructured interviews to investigate participants’ honor band experiences. In the first stage of external support, both participants used various means of obtaining information and advice, such as calling mentors and doing research online. The second stage of transitional mentorship was mentioned least by the participants, perhaps because this is not very common for honor band clinicians. Both participants seemed to spend the majority of their first honor band experience in Glaser's third self-regulatory stage, with less-than-adequate preparation from the previous stages. They both mentioned making quick adjustments to solve problems throughout their time as an honor band clinician. I suggest creating more training experiences and resources for first-time honor band clinicians in order to make honor band events more beneficial for students and clinicians.