Biography and education
Alec D. Scherer (BM, Lawrence University; MM, Boise State University; PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia) is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas State University. At TXST, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses for music studies (education) majors, serves as Music Education Graduate Coordinator, and advises student organization chapters of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Collegiate Texas Music Educators Association. Dr. Scherer has presented music education research at state, national, and international venues. Recent presentations have included the Music Research & Teacher Education NAfME Biennial Conference, Atlanta, GA (2024); the International Society for Music Education Conference, Helsinki, Finland (2024); the Symposium on Music Teacher Education, Salt Lake City, UT (2023); the International Music Perception and Cognition Conference, Tokyo, Japan (2023); and the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention, San Antonio, TX (2023). He is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Research Perspectives in Music Education, and the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. Dr. Scherer currently serves as a member of the editorial board for Contributions to Music Education, as co-facilitator of the Program Admission Assessment and Alignment Area for Strategic Planning and Action (ASPA) within the Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE), and as a member of the research committee of the Texas Music Educators Association. His research interests include democratic music education, instrumental rehearsal techniques, conducting, music perception, and preservice music teacher preparation.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Scherer, Alec D. Choir Directors’ Perceptions and Applications of Democratic Rehearsal Procedures, Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University, $4051. (Submitted: 2022, Funded: January 2023 - Present). Grant.

Featured scholarly/creative works
- Scherer, A. D., Belfast, M., Harrington, A., & Springer, D. G. (2025). Music education faculty members’ perceptions of admissions and selection criteria for doctoral music education programs. Journal of Music Teacher Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/10570837251339154
- Regier, B. J., Baughman, M., Scherer, A. D., & Silvey, B. A. (2025). Undergraduate music students’ self-reports of conducting anxiety in introductory conducting courses. Journal of Research in Music Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224294251319502
- Guest Clinician, Ripon Area School District. Guest Clinician. December 2024 - December 18, 2024.
- Brass Pedagogy Specialist, McCormick Middle School. Guest Clinican. September 2023 - December 2023.
- Brass Teaching Specialist, Ripon Middle and High School. Guest Clinician. October 2023.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Pi Kappa Lambda, Gamma Gamma Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda. May 2020 - Present
- Award / Honor Recipient: 2025 College Achievement for Excellence in Service, College of Fine Arts. August 2025
- Award / Honor Recipient: College of Fine Arts and Communications College Achievement Award - Service, School of Music Nominee. December 2024 - February 2025

Featured service activities
- Other
Society for Music Teacher Educators/Areas for Strategic Planning and Action (ASPA)/Program Admission, Assessment, and Alignment
- Member
TMEA Research Committee
- Editorial Review Board Member
Contributions to Music Education
- Member
School of Music/Planning Committee
- Member
School of Music/Graduate Curriculum Committee
- Member
Music Education/Upper Level Competency Review