Classical guitar ensembles are increasing in the United States as popular alternatives to band, choir, and orchestra. Classical guitar ensembles are offered at many middle and high schools as fine arts electives as one of the only options for classical guitarists to participate in ensembles. The purpose of this study was to explore the development…

Using identified factors that affect students' musical outcomes, this research study examined how instrumental music students attending "good" rural Appalachian high schools compared to other instrumental students. "Good" refers to those 12 Appalachian rural school districts identified as the best out of 46 rural county school…

Focuses on the research done on children learning the tabla, a northern India drum, and the role of the bols system, or mnemonics, that provides a means for memorizing musical material, generating improvisation, and developing rhythmic skills. Discusses the structure of the tabla lessons and the type of materials taught. (CMK)

Explores the factors that may influence the decisions made by students aged 9-15 years old as they chose musical sounds and constructed compositions. Indicates that age, formal music training, and aesthetic response to musical sounds are the primary factors affecting specific choices made in the compositional process. (CMK)

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…

This paper examines the relationships between musical independence or MI (a reflection of the product rather than the process of musicianship), related academic courses, and other music/nonmusic activities at the postsecondary education level. The first purpose of the study is to examine the relationships between MI and Colwell's Musical…