This article discusses how MIDI and other computer technologies can help students build their musical skills in the classroom and at home. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) has provided music teachers with increasing opportunity to use quality computer-developed musical accompaniments in teaching music to children. Standard MIDI files…

To plan effective rehearsals and meaningful performances, band directors must engage in thorough score study and carefully construct standards-based lesson plans. While some may consider these separate steps, numerous aspects of the score-study process can help band directors create and implement standards-based lessons. When planning lessons…

Physical skills, such as fine and gross motor skills, are necessary for students to play musical instruments. Cognitive skills are necessary for students to comprehend music concepts. Emotional and social skills are necessary for students to participate in musical ensembles and general music classes. Attention to these extramusical goals in music…

"Music Techniques in Therapy, Counseling, and Special Education" is the culmination of the first author's research in the skill development of prospective music therapists and music educators during graduate and undergraduate preparation. Standley studied the abilities and progress of students across multiple clinical music therapy and music…

How Philadelphia's Settlement Music School provides music education for the handicapped is described. The origins of the school, current educational practices, and future plans are discussed. One particular achievement of the school was the development of a guide that defines the physical requirements needed to play a particular musical…

This document, written in French introduces a group of Swiss researchers (Groupe des Chercheurs Romands) that has been examining music for beginning students. The specific focus of this study was the concept of creativity in music. The researchers are striving to alter the general perception of creativity as an inborn talent with no relationship…

Presents ways educators can make music an integral part of early childhood education and give every child a quality music experience. Discusses five ways children experience musical play: singing, rhymes and fingerplays, movement, listening, and instruments. Emphasizes the importance of musical goals rather than spatial-temporal reasoning or other…

Discusses the role of Native American music, dance, and song in religious ceremonies, cultural preservation, social occasions, and entertainment. Describes traditional musical forms and instruments used by Hawaiians and various American Indian and Alaska Native groups, as well as innovations and European-based adaptations in musical styles and…

Describes an improvised science lesson that grew out of elementary students' interests and questions about music and sound. Students designed, built, and performed with their own musical instruments. (WRM)

Discusses popular music, the role of the musical performer as a creator, and the styles of jazz and popular music. Describes the pop ensemble at the college level, focusing on improvisation, rehearsals, recording, and performance. Argues that pop ensembles be used in junior and senior high school. (CMK)

Observes that a major challenge for a general music teacher is to make music enjoyable for students and also assist them in learning music concepts. Illustrates that music teachers can accomplish both of these goals when educating students with special needs. Offers three examples where each special-needs student enjoyed and learned about music.…

This document describes the Education Through Organ Study Program (ETHOS) designed to counteract disaffected students' falling academic achievement, absenteeism and truancy, and negative attitudes toward education and the school. The program attempted to assure success in acquiring musical skill by providing portable desk reed organs, programmed…

Because of its exciting use of rhythm and its variety, African music is an excellent musical culture for study. Seventh and eighth grade students, with no prior musical training, learned to play African instruments and dance the Adowa, a traditional dance of the Ashanti people of Ghana. (RM)

Asserts that including mariachi ensembles in schools with high Hispanic populations encourages students to remain in school. Provides a history of mariachi and discusses mariachi instruments. Includes information on developing a mariachi ensemble, including lists of resources, such as mariachi conferences and sources of sheet music. (CMK)

Asserts that good band members play in tune because they listen during tuning routines and playing exercises. Maintains that the usual method of tuning bands, adapted from the orchestra, does not work. Presents recommendations for band tuning routines and methods for band members to develop listening skills. (CFR)