There is a growing interest in alternative forms of pedagogy for students in K-12 settings. Free improvisation, a relatively new and unfamiliar genre, offers potential as an ensemble for teachers to provide in order to offer more egalitarian and creative music experiences for their students. The purpose of this multiple case study was to determine…

This collective case study examined the experiences of four African American gay band students attending historically Black colleges or universities (HCBUs) in the southern United States. This study explored influences that shaped the participants' identities as they negotiated numerous complex sociocultural discourses pervasive and challenging to…

This study was designed with three main purposes: (a) to investigate the effects of two listening conditions on error detection accuracy, (b) to compare error detection responses for rhythm errors and pitch errors, and (c) to examine the influences of texture on error detection accuracy. Undergraduate music education students (N = 18) listened to…

This study was designed to estimate the magnitude of retention, migration, and attrition of music teachers; the transfer destinations of those who migrated; the career path status of those who left; and the likelihood that former music teachers would return to teaching. Data, which were analyzed for music (n = 881) and non-music teachers (n =…

Investigates music teacher retention and attrition. Surveyed in the spring of 1995 certified teachers (n=225) with music education degrees earned in the past 10 years; 137 responded. Surveyed respondents six years later and found 34.4% no longer teaching. Cites personal reasons and administrative support as the primary sources for discontent with…

Evaluates the preservice music teacher preparation program at a large Big Ten university through the perceptions of beginning teachers, their mentors, and administrators. Gathers data using interviews, focus groups, journals, and classroom observations. Identifies the most and least valuable parts of the program. Provides suggestions for the…

Examines whether observers perceptions differ if they were informed of the proximal instructional goals than if they were not informed. Classifies music education majors written statements (n=120) after viewing one of three randomly assigned stimulus tapes. Found non-informed subjects wrote more teacher-directed, inferential, and positive…

Presents a study that investigates the effect of different melodic configurations on an Orff xylophone on how children compose and on the musical characteristics of their compositions. Focuses on fourth grade students (n=48) who lacked education in musical composition and who composed a song on the xylophone. (CMK)

Examines the effects that modeling, self-evaluation, and self-listening have on the music performance and attitudes about practice of junior high school students in the seventh (n=36), eighth (n=31), or ninth (n=15) grades who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents a study that explored the relationship between music and nonmusic majors' real-time responses to a piece of twentieth century music. Explains that the undergraduate nonmusic majors and undergraduate and graduate music majors manipulated a Continuous Response Digital Interface dial. (CMK)

Examines listeners' perceptions of musical intensity in nine excerpts of orchestral music in order to compare two measures of overall effect in music. Explains that two assessments were used: (1) recording subjects' responses as they listened to music excerpts; and (2) recording subjects' ratings of intensity. (CMK)

Examines the relationship between the frequency of particular authentic-context learning activities during undergraduate instrumental music teacher training and the initial teaching performance of undergraduate instrumental music student teachers. Focuses on early field experience teaching, peer-teaching, student subjects viewing their teaching…

Examines the perceptions of adults related to piano study, their musical and nonmusical interests, and home influences on music. Presents the results in detail. Explains that the results of this study have implications for encouraging lifelong enjoyment of piano study. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents the results of a study that examined how children's melodic efforts resembled those of adults. Focuses on children, ages birth to seven (n=92), in Zimbabwe. Finds that the children's song acquisition was similar to children in other cultures, while these children were more accurate singers than their western counterparts. (CMK)

Presents a case study that focuses on the premier wind ensemble in Japan. Addresses issues such as the influence of the ensemble's repertoire and activities, its religious origins, and the role of Frederick Fennell as a musical ambassador. Finds that Japan has changed the tradition of band. (CMK)