The Burmese arched harp, known as "Saung Gauk," is the national icon of the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (once called Burma). It is both ancient and contemporary, and its music frequently carries stories that are threaded with long-standing philosophical principles of the Burmese. The music of the Saung Gauk consists of five…

Presents over 30 activities designed to introduce elementary school children to opera. Also provides a synopsis of and student activities for three specific operas ("Hansel and Gretel,""The Mikado,""Aida") and a short article about opera star Luciano Pavarotti. (SJL)

Article described how a piece of appropriate music can change a group's mood thereby creating a better environment for learning. (Author/RK)

That processes of interpretation are unavoidable in any educational experience has not received serious attention in teaching and teacher education. One of the authors devised an exercise for her graduate class to help them understand practical aspects of hermeneutic theory in connection with rationality, truth and the nature of teaching and…

Describes three basic types of music listeners: the sensorial, the perceptive, and the imaginative. (MF)

A semester-long study of Mozart helped eighth-graders understand the composer's personality and appreciate his music. Students read a biography of his life, studied the forms of his music, danced the minuet, and performed one of his operas in a schoolwide Mozart Day celebration. (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)

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…

A series of activities are described to introduce students to musical instruments. Children learn about woodwind, string, percussion, and brass instruments through observation of musicians, hands-on experiences, and recordings. Sample recordings and a bibliography are listed. (DF)

Discusses seven listening experiences designed to open children's ears to sound. (Author/RK)

Describes the Orff-Schulwerk approach for teaching music to children. The objective is to awaken aesthetic responsiveness. Learning activities are designed to highten sensory awareness, provide genuine aesthetic experiences, promote musical skill development, and stimulate conceptual learning and improvisation. (AM)

Presents a variety of approaches to help students develop understanding and positive attitudes toward the complexities of electronic sounds. (Part of a theme issue on aspects of contemporary music.) (Author/SJL)

The author reviews the problems of providing a comprehensive music literature program to general music students and suggests objectives and activities for such a program at the elementary and secondary grade levels. (SJL)

Urges the use of marionettes and puppet theater to introduce opera to elementary school students. Demonstrates methods for immersing students in opera throughout the school year by designing sets, creating marionettes, painting backdrops, and discussing story and music. (LS)

This paper presents research surveying the responses of university students enrolled in music classes for nonmusic majors with regard to several aspects of required concert attendance. Groups of subjects (n=258) enrolled in courses with required concert attendance were compared to those in courses without such a requirement. Results indicated that…