Explores the importance of emotional expression in music performance. Performers played music to express different emotions and then listening tests were conducted in order to determine whether the intended expressions were perceived. Presents and discusses the results. (CMK)

Examines (1) the purpose statements and the contents of six selected songbooks for community singing published from 1913 to 1996 and (2) songs listed by E. D. Hirsch in "Cultural Literacy" and "The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy." Indicates that the idea of a common core of song repertoire that represents our heritage should be reexamined. (CMK)

Explores the presidential leadership of the Music Supervisors National Conference/Music Educators National Conference during the past 90 years. Provides information on the lives of the female presidents, addressing topics such as their educational and teaching background and their accomplishments in office. (CMK)

Analyzes 15 performances of "Bach's Suite Number 3 for Violoncello solo, Bourree Number 1" and determines what patterns of rhythmic variation (rubato) were used by soloists. Indicates that the soloists demonstrated four identifiable and similar trends in the performances. (CMK)

Examines the music listening preferences of 2,042 students from Greece, South Korea, and the United States using a survey that listed selections from art music, traditional jazz, and rock music. Finds that age, gender, and country all exerted influence, but the variables did not perform the same way in each country. (CMK)

Examines whether instructional patterns in music teacher training courses can affect a change in music student teachers' and music teachers' competency for achievement and opinions of the goals for grade school music education. Uses a survey of 153 undergraduate students and 78 music teachers. Presents the results. (CMK)

Examines knowledge about the structure of memory in order to understand the process of writing melodies. Focuses on a study of 25 students who were asked to write two melodies using a computer. Presents the results and offers an example of the function of memory in writing melodies. (CMK)

Investigates patterns of music listening among music majors regarding accompanied and unaccompanied excerpts varying in tone quality and intonation. Tests the reliability of the Continuous Response Digital Interface, contrasting the measurements obtained to those from a paper and pencil measure. Discusses the results. (CMK)

Investigates the role of stimulus repetition during on line aural identification of harmonic sequences by 72 adult beginners. Demonstrates that the first presentation is a powerful image influencing subsequent identifications. Clarifies the role of repetition and provides an explanation of the incidence of repetition in omitted and incorrect…

Explores the interaction among self-regulatory (cognitive strategy use, self-regulation) and motivational (intrinsic value, anxiety/confidence) components of learning with the quantity/content of a musician's instrumental practice. The sample consisted of 190 pianists. Indicates that the level of cognitive engagement during practice may provide…

Analyzes a data set of music education in the maintained schools of England to (1) establish an authoritative national picture and (2) determine effective school-specific strategies that could be replicated. Focuses on music participation from age 14, when music is no longer part of the National Curriculum. (CMK)

Examines an effective method of curing tsumari, a phenomenon whereby the first note in a sequence of two eighth-notes is performed shorter than the second note. Considers two possible causes: (1) insufficient motor skill control and (2) a lack of steady beat perception. Reveals a reduction in tsumari after procedural instruction. (CMK)

Investigates how accurately children, ages 6-9 from England, Japan, Korea, Spain, and the United States, could match eight animal drawings to excerpts from the well-known concert music, "The Carnival of the Animals" by Charles Camille Saint-Saens. Indicates a mean correct response of 40% without instruction. Discusses two extension studies. (CMK)

Explores the link among music content and teaching style and the changes in children's ratings of musical self-competence and their motivation to continue in music. Tested 100 Portuguese children over three years. Finds that declines in both motivation and evaluation of self-competence may be explained by excessive emphasis on aural skills and…

Explores the preferences exhibited by 40 10- and 11-year-olds and 40 13- and 14-year-olds for rhythm patterns and scale modes used in Japanese folk songs. Reveals that bouncing rhythms appeal to Japanese elementary school children while junior high students widened their preferences to scale or melody movement, disregarding bouncing rhythm. (CMK)