The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of newly initiated string programs on teachers, schools, districts, communities, and existing music program administration and students. Research questions pertained to (a) locations, student access, and instructional offerings; (b) educators; and (c) perceived impact on student outcomes. Data…

Examines the effects of music teacher delivery skills, lesson content, and student academic standing on 511 university music students' perceptions of lesson quality or teacher appeal. Indicates that student interest and preference varied by academic standing, teacher delivery, and lesson quality. Includes references. (CMK)

Identifies strategies for attracting orchestra students to the string teaching profession by analyzing 153 returned surveys from 17 universities. Finds respondents suggest that school orchestra directors should become role models by demonstrating their love of music, making learning enjoyable, providing students with teaching opportunities,…

Uses citation information from six nationally distributed music education research journals for the period 1990-1995 to determine journal eminence. Includes both professional and research journals. Finds that 15 journals represented a majority of citations, and 3 formed a first tier of research journals, representing 80% of citations. (DSK)

Gathers descriptive information about orchestra programs for use in considering the needs of school string programs. Finds increased enrollment in school orchestras with stable numbers of instructors; most orchestra students and teachers are white; and 20% of orchestra students are in the upper 10% of their graduating class. (DSK)

Explores relationships between adjudicated teaching-effectiveness scores, an observation-based assessment instrument, and social-skills scores of preservice teachers. Finds that an individual's nonverbal communication skills, skills in receiving and interpreting nonverbal communication, and ability to engage in social discourse were related to…

Investigates the effect of anxiety in musical performance and assesses the quality of subjects' performances under enhanced and reduced anxiety situations. Adjudicators compared tapes made by 95 graduate and undergraduate music students during performances done in isolation and in front of audiences composed of other music students and…

Examines influence of classroom environments, measured by the Classroom Environment Scale, Form R (CESR), on vocal and instrumental ensembles' musical achievement at festival contests. Using random sample, reveals subjects with higher scores on CESR scales of involvement, affiliation, teacher support, and organization received better contest…

Reports on a study of 811 African American high school students to determine what proportion identified music teachers as role models. Finds that 36% of the subjects identified a music teacher as a role model. Suggests that the findings highlight the need to recruit more minority teachers into music education. (CFR)

Lists 16 public-school-related, off-campus activities, including guest teaching, conducting workshops, classroom observation, and serving on joint committees and accreditation teams. Asks university music educators to evaluate these activities in terms of frequency, effectiveness, and importance (both to the community and to their careers). (MJP)