What music research can tell teachers about strategies to use to help students learn to like classical music is discussed. For example, research has shown that music teacher's verbal approval significantly increases students' listening to classical music. Also, choices of musical examples is critical. (RM)

Considers music's role in the arts-in-general-education movement. Also identifies misconceptions that specialists often have about their involvement and cites evidence that arts-in-general-education programs actually strengthen existing music curriculums. (Editor/RK)

Article stresses the teacher's influence on the creativity of children and the importance in recognizing the necessity for encouraging the development of each child's creative expression. (RK)

Author describes an experimental music class established for seven weeks to determine whether or not students would react favorably in a less structured learning situation given the opportunity to organize, research, and present self-determined projects. (Author/CB)

Believes that everyone can sing, but that many people think that they do not have the ability. States that music teachers can recruit students for choir by concentrating on the skill and effort of students. Explains how teachers can use attribution theory to recruit nonsingers. (CMK)

Focuses on the use of cooperative learning in the music classroom to teach the National Standards for Music Education. Discusses how to create groups and other practical matters of cooperative learning that need to be addressed by teachers. Includes a bibliography of resources to assist teachers using cooperative learning. (CMK)

States that choral directors should put more time into planning music rehearsals. Discusses activities that can be included in a rehearsal practice and describes extension activities that could be used. Includes a lesson plan that can be used with a concert choir. (CMK)

Discusses the use of playing tests in music education, stating that the tests can be useful beyond assessment measurement. Describes how to create performance tests based upon the idea of an accomplished learner. Addresses how to give the tests and presents implications gleaned from field test results. (CMK)

Discusses how young male voices change due to development during puberty, the make-up of their voices, and the effect male peers have on their decision to become a choir member. Explains how male adolescents can be encouraged to join the choir and how teachers can strengthen their male students' voices. (CMK)

Focuses on the role music teachers should have in promoting the importance of music education in schools. Explores viewpoints from influential people in the field. Believes that music educators should be missionaries when promoting music education and be optimistic daily. (CMK)

Describes the criteria a high school music teacher used to select music for a new non-traditional class titled "Pop Band." Lists criteria that each song must have: playability, special feature, popular appeal, variety, artist's qualification, and appropriateness. Students took an active role in the decision-making process. (GG)

Discusses the challenges in teaching students at the middle and junior high school level, focusing on adolescents' developmental needs. States that the literature on teaching adolescent singers focuses mostly on their vocal needs. Introduces this Music and Middle School Chorus issue of "Music Educators Journal" by summarizing five of its articles.…

Describes different types of assessment and addresses both short- and long-term learning targets in music education. Provides suggestions for measurement and evaluating students' musical performances. Considers the purpose of assessment in music education. Includes a glossary of assessment terms, guidelines, and resources. (CMK)

Offers a means for slowly integrating assessment with the elementary music classroom instead of attempting a "whole program" conversion. Addresses how to get started, standards of achievement, how to record the assessment information, how to inform students and adults, and how teachers can review and revise their work. (CMK)

Explains that music teachers can hamper student creativity in music composition by restricting assignments. States that teachers should assign only one parameter, focusing on a broad overarching idea. Provides examples of enabling parameters. Addresses the teacher's response to student work and nurturing musical independence. (CMK)