THIS GUIDE TO THE STUDY OF MUSIC IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EMPHASIZES THE CENTRALITY OF INTELLECTUAL APPREHENSION IN THE MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING A GENUINE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ART OF MUSIC IS EMPHASIZED. AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER PROVIDES A DISCUSSION OF A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO MUSIC LEARNING AND NAMES AND DEFINES THE CONSTITUENT ELEMENTS OF MUSIC. THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE VOLUME SUGGESTS APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES AND MATERIALS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTS ABOUT THE CONSTITUENT ELEMENTS OF (1) RHYTHM, (2) MELODY, (3) HARMONY, (4) FORM IN MUSIC, (5) FORMS OF MUSIC, (6) TEMPO, (7) DYNAMICS, AND (8) TONE COLOR. ALTHOUGH THE CONCEPTS TO BE LEARNED ABOUT EACH OF THESE ELEMENTS ARE PRESENTED IN INDEPENDENT SECTIONS OF THE TEXT, FREQUENT CROSS REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED AND ARE DESIGNED TO CLARIFY THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS WHICH EXIST AMONG THEM. ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS ARE CONCERNED WITH (1) THE IMPORTANCE OF PERCEPTIONS (LISTENING EXPERIENCES) IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSICAL CONCEPTS, (2) THE ROLE OF THE ELEMENTARY CHORUS, (3) THE STUDY OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND (4) MUSICAL EDUCATION OF GIFTED AND OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. GUIDELINES FOR THE PURCHASE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, A GUIDE TO THE EVALUATION OF BASIC SONG BOOKS, AND LISTS OF SELECTED FILMS, FILMSTRIPS, BOOKS, AND REQUISITE CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES ARE APPENDED. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE MUSIC EDUACTORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE, NEA CENTER, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 FOR $3.50. (JS)