We focus on the music students at a conservatoire (A) that only trains performers and composers (performers/composers); a conservatoire (B) that also trains classroom teachers (education students); and a university (C) with only education students. We used a questionnaire to compare the experience and beliefs as instrumental teachers of the…

The author, an associate professor of music education at Pennsylvania State University and some undergraduate music education students explored possible uses of the synthesizer as they attempted to provide experiences in electronic music for a class of fifth grade students. Their program consisted of five lessons in the elements of music which are…

Discusses the team teaching approach toward educating music students to become proficient with their musical instruments. (RK)

Presents an innovative method for insuring that music students remember what they learned at their last music class. (RK)

Provides suggestions for new instrumental music teachers to ensure success in their first year in the classroom. Gives advice for working with the principal and other teachers, for establishing a friendly but professional relationship with students, and for developing a personal teaching style. (LS)

Addresses the inevitable change in the study of music in U.S. higher education through a parable that assumes the viewpoint of a historian writing toward the middle of the 21st century. Reviews the events that eventually lead to closing the school of music at the University of Granton, an imaginary school. (CMK)

Explains that there are five components for achieving the ideal band tone (balance, blend, acoustics, sonority, and chord voicing). Presents information on each component. Provides seven suggestions helpful in developing band tone, such as explain and establish goals for the band's tone, practice for tone, and choose music to optimize tone. (CMK)

This article discusses how MIDI and other computer technologies can help students build their musical skills in the classroom and at home. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) has provided music teachers with increasing opportunity to use quality computer-developed musical accompaniments in teaching music to children. Standard MIDI files…

Describes a music program that enables mentally retarded children to learn to play musical instruments, beginning with a trumpet and progressing to other three valve instruments. (Author/RK)

Investigates the effects of race and gender on evaluations of musical performances by musician educators. Also addresses the impact of the gender stereotype of particular instruments on evaluations. Finds that instrument stereotypes influence evaluations, particularly for female students playing "male" instruments, and that blacks were…

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of teaching-career level and primary instrument on music teachers' assessment of music performance. The main and interaction effects of three career-level conditions (in-service teachers, upper-division undergraduate students, and lower-division undergraduate students) were examined,…

Examines the relationship between the frequency of particular authentic-context learning activities during undergraduate instrumental music teacher training and the initial teaching performance of undergraduate instrumental music student teachers. Focuses on early field experience teaching, peer-teaching, student subjects viewing their teaching…

Reports on a study of attention span and persevering behaviors of preschool children. Finds the Suzuki Method of violin instruction is associated with longer attention spans and more persevering behaviors than creative movement instruction or other preschool programs. Concludes that teachers prefer the Suzuki Method's approach to other forms of…

Develops previous research by examining the roles of parent and teacher in the biographies of young music students. Confirms earlier findings that support by both parent and teacher motivates initial music learning and adds that over time motivation becomes intrinsic and self-sustaining. Examines the implications for music education. (DSK)

Provides guidelines to assist band directors in teaching beginning drummers. Includes auditioning prospective drummers and using an instructional method that has mallet and snare drum techniques taught concurrently in one book. Observes that by devoting time and effort to percussionist players, directors can eliminate "drummer syndrome"…