Because public school music teachers, particularly those involved with choral and instrumental ensembles, have the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship with their students, they can often help students solve difficult growing problems. Discussed are basic communication skills which a teacher can use in the teacher-student relationship.…

Few teaching techniques encourage excellence in music education more effectively than recognition through membership in the Tri-M International Music Honor Society. Examined are how Tri-M promotes excellence, rewards achievement, and benefits both school and student. Membership requirements are also discussed. (RM)

Virginia Hoge Mead, who went to China in 1982 to introduce Dalcroze eurhythmics, is interviewed. Her Chinese students were highly prepared musically but did not move easily, and the focus was on overcoming their inhibitions. Dalcroze techniques were enthusiastically welcomed. (CS)

Instead of deciding what should be taught, music educators should allow students to discover what they know about music. A project that requires students to compose musical commercials and a project that requires students to invent a notation system for writing music allow students to discover answers instead of memorizing them. (Author/AM)

Common computer terminology, microcomputer systems, peripheral equipment, and internal workings are discussed. Factors affecting establishment of a microcomputer in a music department are objectives and needs, available or easily created software, and hardware configurations that fit budgets yet provide needed power and flexibility. (KC)

Describes the results of a survey of problems facing school band programs. Respondents were band and non-band students, their parents, band masters, and retail school music dealers. Among the primary problems were inadequate funding, scheduling conflicts, band members not taking private lessons, and lack of parental encouragement. (AM)

Six authors, Israeli and American educators working in Israel, present various perspectives on the growth of instrumental music education in Israel. (SJL)

The author suggests that the greatest barrier confronting a beginning improvisational jazz instrumentalist is fear. He suggests ways of eliminating this fear, beginning with specific suggestions for training the ear with vocal exercises, followed by specific suggestions for learning on instruments. (KC)

Describes the efforts of Californians for Better Schools through the Arts to make the arts basic to education, including their unsuccessful attempt to qualify the California Arts Initiative for the 1980 state ballot. The initiative would have made arts education mandatory in California's elementary and secondary schools. (SJL)

Offers a retrospective of group singing in the United States and notes that the nation's citizens are becoming music spectators possibly due to the advances in technology. Emphasizes the importance of teaching students about songs that are representative of U.S. history. (GG)

Offers a systematic approach to creative learning in music through an analysis of the components of complex learning and creative activity. Outlines goals for fostering creative learning in music education, and delineates person, process, and product objectives. Suggests methods of evaluating creativity. (RW)

Discusses the impact of technology on music education and its implications for curriculum development. Recommends a curriculum for the musically gifted based on aural skills, electronic instructional tools, and a skilled musician as instructor. Offers suggestions on how this curriculum can be implemented and expounds on the use of electronic…

Provides examples of classroom activities that involve the use of newspapers and news magazines to enhance students' motivation and their awareness of current musical events. Suggests using newspaper activities to teach the basics of music criticism, and to develop lifelong interest in music. (LS)

Cites the publication of "Basic Concepts in Music Education," and "Foundations and Principles of Music Education," as the event which compelled music educators to seek guidance from aesthetics. Identifies two fundamental principals of aesthetic education. Concludes that computer technology and cognitive psychology will have a…

Discusses the need to promote school music programs. Includes a checklist for testing a music program's promotional effectiveness. Suggests using public relations (PR) to reduce the risk of music program cuts before they occur. Recommends setting and determining the means of achieving PR goals. Identifies the benefits of effective PR. (SG)