"What's So Important About Music Education?" addresses the history of rationales provided for music education in the United States. J. Scott Goble explains how certain factors stemming from the nation's constitutional separation of church and state, its embrace of democracy and capitalism, and the rise of recording, broadcast, and computer…

Rap, a popular music that emerged in the United States during the 1980s and 90s, is described as a creation of young African American culture. It belongs to a centuries old legacy of using language creatively in everyday life. The roots of the music are seen as part of the African-American oral and musical traditions that encompass the hidden…

This beautifully photographed book accompanies the Wynton Marsalis Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) series on the introduction to the joy of music, both classical and jazz, for families, young people, and music-hungry readers of all ages. Divided into four chapters, the book corresponds to the four one-hour programs in the PBS series. Wynton…

This teacher's guide stresses the need for more singing in schools and cultural institutions. Cultural traditions "charge" songs with amazing energy. The charge comes from the sense of identity the song creates. When a song connects people emotionally with a culture, the deep-rooted traditions of that culture add meaning to the singing. Children…

This book addresses the nature of music education and argues for a broad-based view which is globally inclusive and acknowledges a long, distinguished history. The book asserts that music education has often been too narrowly focused on music instruction in elementary and secondary schools. Through a process of intellectual questioning, the reader…

Research in the development of musical perception is described. It is crucial to students' experience that they learn to bring to the surface those "invisible" ideas inherent in music development such as clapping a rhythm or singing a tune. In this way they learn to bridge the gap between intuitive knowledge and the representation of this…

This source book provides songs, activities, ideas, and hints on how to use folksongs with children. The book contains 30 folksongs and over 140 accompanying activities. The simplest activities work well for preschool children with the most complicated design for 10- or 11-year-old children. Each activity utilizes one of the 30 songs and supports…

This commentary examines the primary types of music analysis. Although the study focuses mainly upon individual trends and schools of thought, some attention is given to the evolution of ideas within the field. Methodologies are considered in the light of their applicability to individual or classroom analysis by students. From the most…

To investigate the effects of background music on perception and retention of a dramatic television presentation's cognitive content, 107 English literature students were randomly assigned to one of five background treatments for a play. Four of the videotaped presentations included background music; Shostakovich's Symphony No. 6; Japanese jazz;…

This report offers some general principles which are helpful for designing and constructing a test for measuring musical aptitude of persons from various age groups. A discussion attempts to clarify the concepts used within the psychology of music. The basic structuralist principles favored by Gestalt psychologists and structuralists are also…

This book integrates music education with literature and social studies. Lessons are based on children's books. Some suggested books include illustrated folk songs or explanations of style or form in musical history. Others are inherently musical in the lyricism of the author's words or the rhythm of the text. Each lesson is self contained. The…

This book contains over 100 music activities to help teachers, child care providers, and parents bring the joy, theory, and practice of music to young children. An introductory chapter is followed by chapters on songs, rhythm, instruments, music centers, movement, music throughout the day, and group times. Chapters 2 through 8 each contain two…