Presents results of a study of whether undergraduate music majors would prefer sequenced piano music to recordings of actual performances. Finds no significant differences between ratings for technical merit, artistic merit, and overall impression. Finds recording quality ratings higher for sequenced pieces. Suggests that sequencing may allow an…

Describes an example of community music making in which middle school students, their parents, and a senior adult band all participated in a concert. Indicates the concert intended to celebrate the participants' musical accomplishments, gain support for music education, and demonstrate that music can provide joy for performers of all ages. (CMK)

Describes the picture book rendition of the operatic story "Aida" (based on the opera composed by G. Verdi) as retold by opera diva Leontyne Price. Describes how this picture book is appropriate for introducing adolescent readers to opera. Describes specific activities for music classes, musical resources, specific art activities, and…

The teaching of music-related leisure skills to secondary students with disabilities is discussed. Areas of discussion include the limits of music education programs; music-related skills that can be taught in the classroom (including accessing, appreciating, and engaging in musical experiences); and teaching music-related skills (including…

Discusses the program called "Sounds of the Desert" that celebrates the Southwest indigenous culture and focuses on understanding music in relation to history and culture. Emphasizes the study of Mariachi music that is being taught alongside band, orchestra, and chorus from the third grade to senior high in many Tucson (Arizona) schools.…

This study is an investigation of what musicians consider to be their aesthetic experience with jazz music selections that vary in level of conceptual advancement (melodic complexity during improvised solos). Music major participants (N = 128) were assigned to either the jazz musician (n = 64) or nonjazz musician (n = 64) group. Data were gathered…

Activities in music class allow students, especially students with hearing impairments, to explore new means of expression and to enhance existing ones. Additional benefits may include increases in auditory awareness, cognitive ability, attention span, memory recall, and vocabulary. Students with hearing impairments can learn and flourish in music…

The "music appreciation as contemplation" paradigm of traditional aesthetics and music education assumes that music exists to be contemplated for itself. The resulting distantiation of music and music education from life creates a legitimation crisis for music education. Failing to make a noteworthy musical difference for society, a politics of…

I used to enjoy art. Not all the arts equally. Overall literature spoke to me most clearly. I am not sure exactly why. I guess some combination of inborn and learned dispositions. Whatever is the case, my enjoyment of literature always seemed natural to me, since literature was of a medium I already knew, the vocabulary and grammar of my own…

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…

Describes an innovative community-based, performance-oriented music appreciation course at Northern Virginia Community College. (NHM)

Concludes that relatives were the most important factor for high culture music listeners while radio was the most important factor for mass culture music listeners. (RB)

Five music appreciation textbooks were compared for selection purposes at Liberty Baptist College. The five textbooks were evaluated by the current instructor of music appreciation classes using the "Textbook Evaluation Form" and the "Textbook Evaluation Worksheet," developed by Crumbly and Copeland. The grade-level of the…

Discussed a curriculum guide through which school children can develop their sensitivity and independence. (Editor/RK)