For several years, an emphasis on standardized testing in certain subjects has often resulted in competition for student time and scheduling choices that may not favor music classes. However, a great deal of literature exists to indicate that music students achieve more success than nonmusic students on a variety of academic measures. The purpose…

Performance anxiety among musicians and music students has been widely addressed, but far less attention has been given to examining the rates and characteristics of broader mental distress in this population. This study examined depression and anxiety in music students at one university. A considerable number of students reported symptoms…

Teacher turnover is an important issue in education. Studies have reported that almost half of new teachers leave by their fifth year. The problem is being examined in a number of ways, including the preparation of new teachers, costs to school districts, the impact on student achievement, and models of supply and demand. In the current study,…

The study explored possible effects of instruction (highlighting a choral composition's historical and social context) on perceived musical tension recorded by children (N = 62). Children listened to a recording of Debussy's "Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons" (The Christmas Carol of the Children who No Longer Have a House/Home) performed…

Woodwind methods classes are where most teachers learn the basics of woodwind embouchure and tone production. Woodwind methods texts and beginning band methods disagree on clarinet embouchure. One cannot readily reduce any embouchure to one or two attributes; however, clarinet teachers and band directors often disagree about whether the corners of…

Research investigating music textbook series is limited and has primarily focused on series no longer in publication, on two grade levels, and/or on limited cultures. The purpose of this study is to examine what countries are and have been represented in current music textbook series. Additional questions in the study pertain to frequency and…

The purpose of this study is to determine differences in choral students' perceptions of motivation strategies. A survey provided the opportunity for students (N = 515) to identify effective motivation techniques. Students identified director/student attention and knowledge of results as being highly effective, interest as being effective, and…

Performance assessment is an integral part of young musicians' development. Students enrolled in music programs frequently participate in adjudication festivals and many audition for select ensembles. Outcomes of such events are deemed consequential among all concerned: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Furthermore, the number of…

This study, which is a replication and extension of earlier research by Paul, examines the correspondence of perceived aesthetic experiences between musicians, in the present investigation, and children, from Paul's previous experiment. As did fourth-grade students (N = 60) in Paul's earlier study, 56 adult musicians listened to Rachmaninoff's…

Examines various scripted rehearsals to determine if preprofessional teachers could differentiate between process and product educational philosophies by presenting them with process-oriented (conceptual) and product-oriented (nonconceptual) strategies in ensemble settings. Provides results and considers implications for teaching. Includes…

Examines teachers' mentor influences, focusing on student teachers' perceptions and descriptions of their mentors. Finds that preservice music teachers had a significantly higher number of mentors than elementary educators and suggests that most followed traditional patterns in mentoring relationships. Highlights the implications for those who…

Explores the changes in attitude and social engagement of students exposed to a special curriculum to promote tolerance versus those enrolled in typical music education preparation courses. Indicates that comfort levels with those from diverse/different background increased, the use of slurs decreased, and confrontations with others who made slurs…

Discusses the similarities of adult musicians' experiences in five Japanese community and company bands and the experiences encountered in the United States. Focuses on the profile of the Japanese musicians, their reasons for being musicians, the teaching methods and funding of the bands, and rehearsal/performance experiences. Addresses…

Investigates the evaluation abilities of university music majors, as compared to expert voice teachers, in the evaluation of solo vocal performance. Concludes that the experts attained higher scores on the three measures of evaluation ability because of their previous evaluation experience and acquired critical listening skills. (CMK)