Discusses the lack of awareness students have in considering classical music and presents methods for kindling their interests in a music form relatively unknown to them. (RK)

Author complains that many students with four years of high school band will still be musical illiterates, ignorant of Western civilization's musical heritage. (JB)

Emphasizes the importance of student choirs as an ideal environment for music education in four articles by: Kenneth H. Phillips, Mary Goetze, Sally Herman, and Donald L. Neuen. Articles cover issues related to the growth of choral music, techniques to improve learning and performance in children's and junior high school choirs, and the qualities…

Points out that high school band programs are often geared toward entertainment and the short-term reward of competitive recognition. Suggests the goal should be toward the development of musical skills including understanding, creating, and appreciating the art of music. Suggests how band programs can contribute to the music education curriculum.…

Describes how a local symphony orchestra changed its educational program for children to improve attendance and heighten music appreciation. Discusses the rationale for the new approach and includes descriptions of themes. Concludes that music appreciation programs must identify and utilize various motivational approaches. (CFR)

Maintains that choral music conductors strive to choose a variety of musical styles, genres, and historical periods. Discusses three types of programming approaches: (1) chronological; (2) thematic; and (3) concept. Includes four tables illustrating selection and pacing of choral music during a concert. (CFR)

Summarizes discussions at a symposium of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) of multicultural music education. Offers ideas about the teaching of African-American, Native American, Asian-American, and Hispanic music. Presents MENC's resolution supporting multicultural music education. Describes the symposium as a major event in…

Describes a summer school program in which secondary students collaborated to build an opera company. Details the activities of seven days in the first stage of the three-stage project. Concludes that the experience built democratic values. (CFR)

Describes a college level course in opera for nonmusic education students. Contends that students benefited from the enriching experience of the course. Includes a list of 10 operas recommended for an introductory course. (CFR)

Asserts that music teachers must encourage discussion of musical interpretation and interpretive choices as opposed to only focusing on fingerings and tunings in the performance aspect of music education. Provides various strategies for building student creativity in musical performance, such as encouraging divergent thinking or the interpretation…

Inclusion of music in public school programs was originally justified on the utilitarian grounds that it fostered social and academic skills. Later an aesthetic rationale emphasized an intrinsic value of music in childrens' development. The position of music education will be precarious until educators provide strong evidence for their positions.…

Novice listeners have difficulty perceiving form in music because they experience music episodically, not holistically; and because conditioned by popular music to respond emotionally, they see no reason for intellectual analysis. To achieve aesthetic literacy, students must be taught both analytic and aesthetic perception, utilizing both brain…

Reviews current research findings in the field of music in early childhood. Focuses on the musical development of the average child, citing evidence of music cognition and of music production. Reports some model programs established by music educators to work with parents and preschools to encourage musical development in the young child. (LS)

Discusses the changes taking place in music education and how they will affect the training of future music teachers. Suggests that teachers should be prepared to present music in a general yet varied format. Includes the necessity of promoting musical experiences and appreciation of musical events in desired curriculum changes. (DK)

Presents an interview with Alan Menken that addresses his role as a composer, different influences and paths in his career, and the importance of music education in his life. Asserts that music should permeate all aspects of education because it is a vital aspect of a student's emotional and intellectual life. (CMK)