Maintains that commissioning musical works is almost as old as music itself and that it is a privilege to premiere a work that has been composed specifically for you and your chorus. Describes the approaches that classroom music teachers used to commission musical works. Includes seven guidelines. (CFR)

Recommends commissioning new works as a challenging and motivating learning experience for high school and college bands. Includes several guidelines for negotiating costs and performance rights with the composer, as well as other technical details. Discusses specific problems arising from this arrangement and possible solutions. (MJP)

Describes an activity designed to develop middle school choral students' writing skills: students wrote letters to the composers or arrangers of pieces they had performed at concerts; the students could address topics such as their reaction to the piece, general questions about composing, or discussing the performance of the piece. (CMK)

Presents a series of teaching suggestions and ideas based on the National Standards for Arts Education. Focuses on musical composition for elementary and secondary students. Includes a teaching example illustrating how the National Standards can be put into practice. (CFR)

Maintains that, although none of the National Standards for Arts Education requires the use of computers in music education, it is assumed that computer use will expand. Discusses and reviews the use of computer software and other educational technology in the music classroom. Includes a list of three books for further reading. (CFR)

Contends that contemporary trends in music education increase the emphasis on composition. Discusses the process of composition and asserts that students demonstrate their understanding of how music works through composition. Presents teaching suggestions for incorporating composition into the elementary and secondary curriculum. (CFR)

Maintains that the ability and experience of improvisation is an essential component in young musicians' education. Discusses one teacher's trial-and-error efforts in introducing improvisational exercises into her students classical training. Includes a list of resources and representative musical examples. (MJP)

Provides some tips on jazz instruction for the beginning music educator who may not have had much experience in that field. Specifically recommends teaching guide tones, the root, third, and seventh chords, as an invaluable aid to jazz improvisation. Includes musical notation showing guide tones for two jazz standards. (MJP)

Divides musical composition selection for student orchestras into two categories, teaching repertoire and concert repertoire. Provides a number of helpful hints and criteria for selecting both. Includes "Ten Terrific Titles,""Super String Selections," a list of premiere selections for grades two through six, and a list of selected resources. (MJP)

Maintains that many educators are using sequences to create accompaniments and practice tapes geared to student abilities. Describes musical instruction using Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Discusses eight suggestions designed to make the process of sequencing more efficient. (CFR)

Covers a variety of strategies for creating a unique and identifiable choral sound. Provides specific instructions for developing singing in unison and recommends a standing arrangement of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass quartets. Provides other tips for instrumentation, sight reading, and quality rehearsal time. (MJP)

Identifies several sets of criteria starting band directors can use to overcome common pitfalls. These include helpful hints on repertoire selection, rehearsal procedures, and setting realistic expectations. Concludes with a look at "the big picture," a list of suggested themes for concerts. (MJP)

Contends that band students who are taught composition techniques improve listening skills, make aesthetic decisions, and become more imaginative and creative. Presents ideas from five music teachers for incorporating composition into the music curriculum. Discusses the use of computer software in musical composition. (CFR)

Provides a lesson plan for beginning string students using a basic rhythm from Zimbabwe's Shona people and then building upon that rhythm. Briefly discusses simple yet effective techniques for playing and adapting African music. Includes musical scores, teaching tips, and selected recordings. (MJP)

Provides three samples of assessment strategies to be used in conjunction with the "National Standards for Music Education" from the recently published, "Performance for Standards, Grades Pre-K12: Strategies and Benchmarks for Assessing Progress Towards the National Standards." The samples include assessments for grades K-4,…