To enhance school children's understanding of and appreciation for the performing arts, an ESEA Title III project presented live performances by professional brass, woodwind, and string ensembles to children of the 275 public and parochial elementary schools of Bergen County, New Jersey. As part of the program, children read a book especially…

For nine years the National Assessment of Education Progress has attempted to measure behaviors that are assumed to correlate with sensitivity to music and analytic skills typically taught in the classroom. These skills included musical performance, ability to use traditional notation, ability to discriminate and label instruments and voices,…

This book is one of a series of four in which issues affecting the organization and work of the British Infant School are considered. The series ("Young Children Learning") is designed to express current educational theory in terms of the practical work of teachers and children in infant schools. The books include recent research into…

This draft curriculum guide is for use in grades 7-9 and covers six levels of musical competence. The levels included for study in this 3 year program are: 1) general music, in which the student learns about rythm, tempo, and beat patterns, note and rest values, time signatures, and some musical terms; 2) musical forms, elements of music, score…

Encourages the use of integrated prereading, prewriting, and critical thinking activities in music classes to help students appreciate and understand the process of musical composition. Discusses using freewriting, journal writing, directed reading, and extended activities in music appreciation, performance, and composition classes. (SKC)

Methods for using postage stamps to their greatest potential in any level Spanish class are outlined, with illustrations and examples provided. Among the subjects that can be addressed through this medium are economics, politics, anthropology, archaeology, history, language and literature, geography, and music. (MSE)

Articulates a fundamental rationale for the practice of qualitative research in music education. Argues that knowledge and experience are by definition subjective and constructed, thereby validating research methodologies that incorporate and acknowledge these realities. Identifies eight "processes" that offer productive research opportunities.…

Asserts that study of the arts fosters the type of divergent and creative thinking needed in both the business world and society. Argues that educators should work together to develop schedules of eight instructional periods allowing for more arts instruction. Considers requiring arts courses for graduation from high school. (MJP)

Questions what students should know about music and claims that they need an increased awareness of the value of U.S. music, both as music and as representative of U.S. culture. Suggests that teachers can use ready made lists as starting points, but encourages them to compile their own. (KM)

Presents an annotated bibliography of books and audiotape recordings for children from infancy through the early elementary grades. The bibliography includes recordings of music and storytelling; books that tell fairy tales and old favorite stories; and books about such topics as mother-child relationships and pets. (BB)

Describes a middle school program in which students create and produce an original opera. Describes the interdisciplinary learning acquired as students created music, dialog, sets, and costumes. Contends that the project was an exciting and rewarding experience for students and teachers. (CFR)

Describes the role of arts education and, specifically, music education in Japanese schools. Outlines the music curriculum and teaching methods in elementary and secondary schools. Describes the role of western music and compares music education in Japan and the United States. (CFR)

Explains how the ear and the brain work together to make music listening possible. Argues good hearing does not ensure skilled listening, stressing that listening is a mental process. Examines the aural process and properties of sound, and describes listening behaviors within the basic levels of auditory processing. Provides a guide for teaching…

Contends that teaching music history has traditionally focused on five eras of Western music. Relates these periods to concepts of form, space, and understanding. Acknowledges that music education has been ethnocentric and recommends a more universal music education. (CFR)

Presents an interview with Keith Lockhart, the conductor and music director of the Boston Pops orchestra. Lockhart reflects on the role of music in education and society and describes ways he tries to communicate with young audiences. Includes a brief biography of the conductor. (MJP)