Provides a thorough overview of middle school guitar instruction discussing both private and group lessons. Considers the role of the guitar as both a solo instrument and in ensemble and orchestra. Includes curricular guidelines for a beginning guitar course and a sample list of songs for a final recital. (MJP)

Describes activities in a secondary music class in which students communicate with talking drums. Maintains that the class project was developed during a teaching unit on the musical practices of the Ashanti ethnic group in Ghana. Includes instructions for making talking drums and four examples of orchestrating name rhythms for drums. (CFR)

Describes studying the steel drum, an import from Trinidad, as an instrument of intellectual growth. Describes how developing a steel drum band provided Montessori middle school students the opportunity to experience some important feelings necessary to emotional growth during this difficult age: competence, usefulness, independence, and…

Examines musical responsiveness in children in grades 2, 5, 8 and 11-12, and trainable mentally handicapped students to different performance media. Finds that lower and higher grades rated all performances more positively than did middle grades, and instrumental music was preferred across all grades; no results were obtainable for handicapped…

Describes a Montessori music program consisting of vocal music education, instrumental education, and a classical musical appreciation at the Montessori Elementary School of San Leandro, California. Describes educational opportunities provided by the in-house music room and through field trips. Argues that a music program is achievable in any…

This Virginia framework for music instruction in kindergarten through 12th grade established objectives designed to develop concepts and skills, to encourage positive attitudes toward music as an art form, and to value music's role in daily life. The objectives are organized by grades and by choral and instrumental music experience. Sequential…

Early childhood music programs should be based on two interacting goals: (1) to teach those skills most appropriate to a particular level and (2) to nurture musical creativity and self-expression. Early childhood is seen as the optimum time for acquiring certain musical skills, of which the ability to sing in tune is considered primary. The vocal…

Suggests expanding the eclectic nature of a band program by creating a steel band, a Caribbean-based percussion ensemble. The steel band complements multicultural education and attracts students to the music program. Discusses maintenance, repertoire, and performance. Includes classification of pans and a list of schools with established programs.…

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 publication provides a general background for appreciation of Asian music and explains some of the specific techniques of the Asian tonal art to those who have some formal knowledge of Western music. In addition to a brief introductory section which identifies basic differences of non-Western music, sections are included on the history,…

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…

Addressing the problem of low music skills and lack of motivation to participate in music programs in elementary and junior high schools, a study examined a daily after-school practicum in which music skills, composition, and performance were practiced. Twenty sixth-grade students participated in 72 40-minute after-school sessions, meeting twice a…

The goals of this teacher edition, which accompanies "Music: Comprehensive Musicianship Program. Grade 6," include increasing musical understanding while developing musical skills. The 49 lessons included feature: (1) a wide range of musical concepts; (2) the presentation of musical concepts in a teaching chronology; (3) a broad musical…

Published as a teacher's edition to "Music: Comprehensive Musicianship Program. Grade 5," this text describes musical learning activities. It includes: (1) concepts to be learned; (2) a chronology for teaching the concepts; (3) a broad musical repertoire from different cultures and historical periods; (4) various approaches to musical experiences;…

Major competencies are presented for music education in kindergarten through grade six of the Philadelphia school system. Music is seen to be a mode of expression in responding to and interpreting life and nature. It promotes development of aesthetic judgment. The competencies outlined in this document are derived from a comprehensive music…