In this article, the author shares his experience at the first rehearsal of the All City High School band of New York where he was placed as first chair clarinet, when he was a junior in high school in Brooklyn. Playing the clarinet solo, under the instruction of the band director, has made him reflect and deal once more with feeling. Here, the…

At the onset of the essay by Alerby and Perm, musicality is described as emotional or cognitive phenomena. In this response, Fung questions what role a psychomotor phenomenon plays in musicality. Alerby and Perm describe "motor knowledge" in the context of Merleau-Ponty's "maximum grip." Does this mean that "motor knowledge" or "maximum grip" in…

Administrators of schools without music programs are simply undervaluing this fine art form and depriving students of a great life experience. Schools can accommodate the arts by managing time better and scheduling more periods per day. A strong positive correlation exists beween school excellence and vigorous, dynamic arts programs. Nine…

Music in America has an elitist history. While music colleges stress the development of performers, there is no comparable education for the audience which must support them. Music appreciation should emphasize aural memory, so that audiences can understand the basic materials which lead to musical coherence. (CS)

Discusses some of the factors such as cultural attitudes, student expectations, and teaching methods that affect and impede the teaching of college-level courses in music appreciation. An alternative teaching approach, which presents ways composers have portrayed events in the human life cycle, is described. (AM)

European music is more relevant to contemporary Japanese life than Japanese classical music is. The sociocultural and economic reasons for the Japanese fondness for European culture and their active participation in European musical life are discussed. (AM)

This paper argues that, although T. S. Eliot's "Four Quartets" provoke comparisons with the late quartets of Beethoven, an analysis of Four Quartets and Bela Bartok's Fourth and Fifth String Quartets produces a clearer understanding of the formal structures in the poetry and music. Symmetries offset asymmetries. (Author/KC)

The author presents a brief discussion of the uses of aesthetic theory in aesthetic education, followed by the explication of one subsidiary aspect (regional qualities) of Monroe Beardsley's theory, and by a demonstration of how that aspect can be applied in musical analysis and in teaching for perceptive music listening. (Author/SJL)

David Stevenson's thoughts regarding Reichling's essay are offered in this article, and he begins his response by saying that Mary J. Reichling's essay regarding the three concepts, form, feeling, and isomorphism, is lucid, well structured, and aptly supported by research of other music education philosophers. He points out that Reichling states…

Argues that historians are revisionists in that personal and cultural conditioning is automatically reflected in their interpretations. Illustrates this point by presenting the contrasting views of Lowell Mason, an influential 19th century musician and music educator. Concludes that by recognizing these conscious and unconscious influences upon…

Discusses why the second national music assessment conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress found a slight decline in student music knowledge. Strengths and weaknesses of the assessment are described. (AM)

Briefly discusses music programing for special audiences. An illustrative exercise provided to point out a programing format, especially the sequencing activities and utilization of resources. (Author/MP)

Composer and classical/jazz musician Wynton Marsalis believes that jazz (of all art forms) requires the most democratic skills-such as manners and ability to negotiate with others. Jazz at Lincoln Center is launching a jazz curriculum in fall 2001 that will help kids realize who they are and how to act. (MLH)

Discusses the importance of music for brain development, pleasure, retention and motivation, and problem solving and critical thinking. Describes methods for including music in education that are related to music acquisition. Suggests classroom music activities and notes the importance of making instruments available, displaying written music, and…

Each new MENC president chooses a theme that will express his or her philosophy and intended focus for the organization. The theme the author has chosen is Music: The Heart of Education. Why this theme? Where did it come from? What meanings can be read into it or gleaned from it? When it comes to building lasting relationships with students and…