Describes the historical role and rationale of music education. Outlines the contribution of musical knowledge to the development of the individual and society. Concludes that, if music is to assume a central place in schools, a political philosophy of music education, including ideas of freedom, democracy, and social values, must be forged. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 614 experienced music teachers, non-music teachers, college-level music students, and non-music students on the effect of sequential patterns and different modes of presentation of music teaching. Finds that experienced teachers' evaluations were significantly higher than those of university students. (CFR)

Reviews research related to children's musical development. Reports on a study of 125 kindergarten and first-grade students on the impact of modification of timbre and register of musical stimuli. Finds that timbre modification helped children recognize chord changes with first graders identifying more changes than did kindergartners. (CFR)

Expresses concern that students need to be exposed to many musical options. Reports on a study of 242 high school students in select and nonselect choral ensembles. Finds that both groups prefer popular music over other genres and that nonselect choir members rated country music higher than select choir members did. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 226 high school students to examine the effects of competitive and noncompetitive performance goals on their ratings of band performances. Finds that secondary students approach competitive and noncompetitive music performance goals differently. (CFR)

Twenty-two papers presented at the International Seminar on Research in Music Education (held in Dresden, East Germany, July 15-22, 1980) comprise the bulletin. They represent current research in music education around the world as well as some current philosophies of music education research. Seminar participants included 28 music educators from…

Presents findings of a study of viewers' ability to detect changes in conducting beat patterns. Reports that music education majors were significantly better able to detect tempo decreases than increases and better able than nonmajors to detect decreases. Indicates that nonmajors were better able than majors to identify tempo increases. (SG)

Offers results of a study of the perceived problems of beginning elementary and secondary music teachers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Reports that teachers were comfortable with their responsibilities, except for budgeting and continuing musical growth. Indicates that new teachers appreciate mentor teacher support and discussion with…

Reviews research concerning the use of modeling strategies in music instruction. Asserts that nonverbal instruction is clearly preferable to verbal description in many situations. Concludes that modeling is effective in promoting musical skills across a wide age distribution. Argues that modeling is of value in teaching virtually any musical…

Discusses a study in which music education majors and non-music-education majors observed a violin lesson. Reports that observers received varying instructions regarding how to observe the lesson. Reports that majors' evaluations were generally lower or equal to nonmusic majors' ratings. Concludes that the focus of the observation task and…

Presents findings of a comparison of the personality profiles of music educators with indicators of teaching success. Reports that application of the Missouri Pre-Professional Teacher Interview (MPTI) showed that music teachers scored relatively well on "stimulator,""developer," and "command" themes but less well on "input drive." Concludes that…

Reports results of a study of the ways in which undergraduate and graduate music majors evaluated the teaching methods of graduate associate music instructors. Reports that evaluators gave instructors high marks for characteristics including enthusiasm, interest in the student, and patience. Concludes that untrained evaluators can reliably analyze…

Reports the findings of a study of university marching band members' tonal memory skills and their preferences between adaptive and paper-and-pencil testing. Concludes that adaptive testing yielded greater reliability and validity scores. Indicates that students preferred adaptive tests over paper-and-pencil music tests. (SG)

Presents study results of the effects of different teaching methods on the ability of nonmusician, college students to distinguish meter. Explains that one group heard meter defined with examples, another emphasized meter with large muscle movements, and a third heard examples with reinforcing clicks. Reports that all groups differed from the…

Presents study results comparing attitudes of elementary school students who did or did not attend an in-school opera performance. Explains that students completed questionnaires measuring attitudes toward opera. Reports that fifth- and sixth-grade students experienced a positive effect from attending the opera. Suggests that fourth grade may be a…