To investigate the effects of background music on perception and retention of a dramatic television presentation's cognitive content, 107 English literature students were randomly assigned to one of five background treatments for a play. Four of the videotaped presentations included background music; Shostakovich's Symphony No. 6; Japanese jazz;…

A study was conducted to determine the effect of a taped, guided listening program of contemporary music on students' understanding of other styles of music. Of the 720 students selected for the study from San Francisco junior high schools, 226 were placed in an experimental group which received 18 one-half hour taped listening lessons of…

This curriculum guide for teaching music in Vermont schools represents the combined efforts of the state department of education and music teachers throughout the state. The guide includes sections on the elementary school music curriculum, the secondary music curriculum, instrumental programs, instructional resources available to teachers, and an…

Films, records, and literature and technique books helpful in encouraging creativity and composition writing are listed and described under the following headings: Books on forms of poetry (4 items); Creative dramatics and puppetry (9); Masks and mask making (9); Oriental forms of poetry--Haiku (9), Tanka (2), and other Oriental verse patterns…

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 and defines the steps involved in measurement and evaluation: (1) determining an outcome; (2)defining scoring criteria; (3)establishing appropriate assessment tasks; and (4)creating opportunities for learning. Includes a flow chart for a design-down curriculum and an example of a vocal performance rating scale assessment. (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)

Maintains that music educators have struggled for decades with issues related to a "multimusical culture." Contends that balancing the musical traditions of Western civilization and honoring the varieties of music of cultural subgroups is a major issue in contemporary music education. (CFR)

Contends that music educators must develop a stronger rationale for music education in the face of economic pressures and questions about the value of aesthetic education. Argues that music educators must stress both the utilitarian and aesthetic objectives of music. Includes six basic rationale statements for music education. (CFR)

Argues that history must be included in the study of music to understand the context of the composer's era. Maintains that historical performance information, music technology, the place of music in society, music literature, and performing practices also should be included. Provides four charts of recommended resources. (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…

Reports on a study that investigated the effects of the presence or absence of lyrics in children's musical selections on young children's responses to music. The children responded to either recorded lullabies performed by a women singing, or a solo instrument, or separate pieces with and without lyrics. (MJP)

The journal articles included in this bibliography of materials on music instruction in two-year colleges were identified in "Current Index to Journals in Education,""Education Index,""Music Educators Journal: Cumulative Index 1914-1987," and "Music Index." Nearly 90% of the articles discovered were available for review through the library…

Provided here is an interim evaluation, for the school year 1982-83, of the Motivational-Cultural Experiences project of the Cleveland Public Schools. The purpose of the project is to provide activities which enhance and enrich the experiences of urban children, grades K-12, by transporting them to local cultural facilities for performances of…

Daily newspapers may be used to broaden and enrich the curriculum in both elementary and secondary schools in a variety of ways. The newspaper can be useful in strengthening skills in the language arts and in the social studies and contains information relevant to students of all ages and levels of ability. The variety of topics a newspaper covers…