Ideas to help music teachers get ready for Music In Our Schools Month, March, 1986, are suggested. (RM)

It is suggested that a secondary school vocal or instrumental music director, even one with a limited background in early music, can establish a successful early music consort, but before establishing such a consort, the director should review thoroughly the main historical sources. These sources are listed. (KC)

This article describes Kent State University School of Music's data base, Choralist, which provides computer-based retrieval of choral music selections by composer, style, historical period, subject matter, vocal groupings, and/or difficulty level. File construction is outlined and data entry forms, printout, and user evaluation questionnaire…

The author explains how music broadcasters codify musical selections by mood, tempo, and instrumentation, then arrange a sequence designed to maintain audience interest with a variety of listening experiences. Similar techniques are suggested for planning school concerts. (SJL)

The author reviews the problems of providing a comprehensive music literature program to general music students and suggests objectives and activities for such a program at the elementary and secondary grade levels. (SJL)

Contends that strengthening the relationship between university departments or schools of music and K-12 music programs will improve music programs at all levels. Discusses the goals and structure of the Partnership in Musical Excellence program that has linked the School of Music at Ohio State University and several Ohio school systems. (DB)

Provides specific suggestions to music teachers on preparing their students to view an opera broadcast on television, including use of other teachers or community personnel to provide background information. Approaches are outlined for introducing students to an opera's plot, music, design, costumes, makeup, lighting, and staging. (SJL)

Discusses the abilities a conductor must invoke in order to develop a successful choral ensemble. Recommends recruitment strategies, lists characteristics of successful teaching styles, offers suggestions for programing and literature selection, for score analysis, and for rehearsal structure and techniques. (LS)