In U.S. music education, the elementary music program is the level most likely to include all students, before music becomes an elective choice in secondary schools. As students approach adolescence, however, their interest in general music may decline, particularly if they are not engaged in activities they find meaningful. Although past research…

Tenets of the Arts-based Research (ABR) framework share similarities with a praxial music education. An ABR framework can support music educators' teaching practices ranging from novice to the established teacher. This can be achieved by establishing and maintaining strong student-teacher relationships through the creation, development, adaptation…

In the most recent Ministry of Education work plan seminar (Ministry of Education, 2010), a clear signal was sent out that arts education, primarily music and visual art, would become one of the key areas of focus in pursuing the goal of holistic education of a primary school child in the Singapore school system. This article, as part of a larger…

This article focuses on selected outcomes of the European Association of Conservatoires (AEC) "Polifonia" Working Group for Instrumental and Vocal Teacher Training in Europe (2007-2010). The introduction provides the background to the project, explains the rationale and objectives, describes the research process and gives an overview of…

Curriculum reform in Hong Kong is one facet of a broad systemic reform variously explained in terms of addressing a changing sovereignty or more recently, of servicing Hong Kong's economic growth. One initiative supporting this curriculum reform entitled "Assessment for Learning" seeks to promote formative assessment. Three case studies,…

Focuses on the types of research needed in general music education and the reasons for this research. Defines the place of general music in the curriculum, and examines influential constituencies for such education. Analyzes the state of general music in the schools, and assesses needed changes in the curriculum. (RW)

Current elementary music education approaches to the distribution and selection of ethnic folk song in music programs are surveyed and each approach is reviewed on the basis of its utility for the Southwest Regional Laboratory Music Program. The first approach, a traditional point of view, is based on the premise that music education has a…

Considered the contributions of MENC and the needs and desires of music educators being served by MENC. (RK)

Evaluates a doctoral dissertation that studied the relationship between song ranges and kindergarten children's singing ability. Rutkowski individually tested the singing ability of 162 kindergarten children. Concluded that the music curricula for kindergarten should be modified to enhance singing voice development. (LS)

Presents some points of view on arts in general education in reaction to January's special issue of MEJ. (Editor/RK)

This report focuses on the implications of eight Center for the Learning and Teaching of Elementary Subjects studies in elementary art and music education and synthesized existing research with respect to teacher education in art and music education. The first section provides a summary of the major findings in each of the Center studies in art…

Findings of a 1983 survey of York Region (Ontario) elementary school music programs are presented. Staff committees from a sample of 28 schools responded to questions concerning music qualifications, budgets, music instruction timetables, student participation rates, program achievements, and useful resources. Among the findings were the…

The National Symposium on Arts Education 1997 provided an opportunity for arts educators, professional artists, and representatives from government agencies to discuss common concerns and to develop strategies for strengthening the arts in Canadian schools. This collection of papers from the symposium addresses many questions about the future of…

Preschool children participated in a classical music program to determine the effects of the program on their auditory discrimination skills. The development of auditory discrimination skills, considered a leading factor in reading readiness, is one of the objectives of the music program. Other objectives include emotional growth, experience in…

The pilot project described in this report involved the development of an integrated art and music curriculum model for elementary grades. In this discussion, an example of one integrated unit is described for each of grades one through six. The curriculum units are centered around literary or musical themes that incorporate a variety of…