Discusses the importance of developing second grade student listening, singing, and composing skills. Explores the second-grade singing apprenticeship where students can sing alone, as a group, or listen to other groups. Focuses on teaching singing skills and allowing students to experiment with music. (CMK)

Teachers of children with visual impairments are encouraged to create their own useful and age-appropriate songs to help teach orientation and mobility skills to children in preschool to grade three. The songs can be created by writing new lyrics to well-known tunes or by writing new lyrics and melodies. (DB)

States that finding works to challenge the technique and stimulate the musicianship of young performers can be a difficult and yet rewarding task for music teachers, directors, and composers. Provides a list of annotated suggestions of works from the standard orchestral repertoire that may work well with young orchestras. (CMK)

Describes how to teach elementary students about vocal improvisation using the Kodaly-based approach. Discusses the three steps involved in this technique: (1) develop familiar singing patterns; (2) use a question and answer format; and (3) begin improvisation. Includes examples of solfege patterns and a vocal question and answer. (CMK)

Contends that teaching contemporary music pieces that are largely improvised provides an ideal learning opportunity for students. Focuses on the piece "Improvisations I," stating that the version presented is intended for college students. Describes the performance of each section of the piece and provides suggestions for rehearsal. (CMK)

Discusses how teachers can incorporate musical composition into their classrooms by teaching students about aleatory, or chance, music. Provides a definition of aleatory music and provides various composing techniques, focusing on aleatory music. Includes lesson plans using aleatory music, such as the "Mozart Model" for grades 4-12. (CMK)

Maintains that the works of Grazyna Bacewicz foster musical growth and appreciation, increase students' technical skills, and expand their cultural horizons by acquainting students with the traditions of Poland. Explains that her compositions can be adapted to many different teaching approaches and tailored for students of all ages. (CMK)

Describes a unit used with sixth-grade students focusing on jazz and blues that taught improvisation. Discusses the different levels of improvisation that were used, providing the beginning activities, and describes activities that focus on the third level of improvisation called product-oriented improvisation. (CMK)

Contends that many violin students attempt difficult concertos before they are technically or musically prepared. Identifies a variety of concertos at the intermediate and advanced intermediate-level for students to study and master before attempting the advanced works by Bach and Mozart. Includes concertos by Vivaldi, Leclair, Viotti, Haydn,…

Presents a collaborative composition project for use in junior high bands that incorporates three standards from the National Standards for Music Education: (1) Standard 3: improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments; (2) Standard 4: composing and arranging music; and (3) Standard 9: understanding music in relation to history and culture.…

Urges music educators to use activity-based instruction as opposed to more traditional methods. Provides two lesson plans for middle school students where they learn about musical instruments in an integrated science and music environment that promotes concept formation and the exploration of the role of culture in music-making. (CMK)

Oregon's common curriculum goals for music education, an area of study that addresses the components of valuing music, developing music literacy, performing music, and creating music are presented. An overall goal for each one of these four strands is established, and then the content specific knowledge and skills that students should possess by…

This syllabus will assist administrators and teachers in New York state in helping students meet the Regents Action Plan requirement for one year of high school music. Each student must acquire the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the artistic, cultural, and intellectual accomplishments of civilization and develop the skills to…

This booklet identifies major competencies for each course offered in the secondary music education program in the Philadelphia school system. Music is seen to be a mode of expression in responding to and interpreting life and nature. It promotes the development of aesthetic judgment. The booklet outlines up to eight competencies for each of nine…