The purpose of this study was to investigate the rehearsal characteristics of "superior" middle and high school band directors. A total of 131 respondents from Florida, Kentucky, and North Carolina who received a "superior" rating for 4 out of the past 5 years, completed an open-ended essay question online asking them to…

The purpose of this project was to examine adult learning perceptions of a model music program with group piano instruction and group percussion ensemble for beginning-level musicians (ages 60-86 years). Participants were matched by age and education to two 16-week music programs. Forty participants completed a post-training questionnaire related…

This study investigated influences encouraging active music engagement beyond the high school and college years among nonmusic majors who are actively engaged in music. A web survey yielded a 50% response rate (N = 476) from nonmajor students enrolled in performing organizations at a large Midwestern public university, whose responses addressed…

The purpose of the study was to describe research leaders' perceptions of the relative importance of various research preparation opportunities for future music education professors. The 122 questionnaire respondents answered 38 Likert-type and open-ended content questions that asked about research experiences, research skills, research…

The purpose of this exploratory study was to measure music educators' ("N" = 9) self-perceptions of their use of interpersonal skills. Participants rated themselves on 32 statements included on the "My Use of Interpersonal Skills Inventory" in pre- and posttest formats. Participants participated in a 4-week period of…

The purpose of this study was to develop a profile of an effective urban music educator in an effort to provide strategies for university teacher training programs to prepare students to teach in urban schools. The study examined urban music teachers' (N = 158) educational background, effective and ineffective characteristics, perceived…

The purpose of this study was to explore middle school and high school band students' perceptions of two ongoing school-university partnerships. Interviews and focus group interviews were conducted with school students to capture their unique perspectives and to support the tenets of formative and action research designs. Findings indicated that…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of professional development instruction on teacher perceptions of competence when including students with special needs in music classrooms. Subjects for the study were in-service music educators (N = 43) enrolled in an online graduate-level course specifically created to address the skills and…

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons why undergraduate music majors pursue a career in music performance. The authors surveyed music majors at seven institutions and asked them about the main reasons as to why they were considering a career in music performance. Participant responses yielded qualitative data that the authors coded,…

This study examines whether the use of a 7/8 keyboard contributes to the physical ease of small-handed pianists in comparison to the conventional piano keyboard. A secondary research question focuses on the progression of physical ease in making the transition from one keyboard to the other. For the purposes of this study, the authors stipulated…

Focuses on a project, Teacher Education in Art and Music Mizzou (TEAMM), that included music and art education majors as a way of encouraging collaboration among arts teachers. Explains that students were assigned to one of 17 groups that included at least one freshman and one upper-level student. Presents questionnaire results. (CMK)

Investigates the status of music technology in Illinois public schools (K-12) using a questionnaire. Focuses on (1) the perceived training needs of teachers, (2) ways teachers and students use technology, (3) access to music technology, (4) types of software and hardware, and (5) sources of funding. Addresses the implications. (CMK)

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…

Describes the "Arts in Elementary Education Conference" that was an effort to develop and implement an arts in-service program for Alabama elementary teachers with special attention to ongoing program evaluation and refinement. Examines the participants' responses on their conference application, an arts integration questionnaire, conference…