This paper focuses on a tool for meaningful, collaborative, interaction in a constructionist music composition environment. In particular, it describes the design and implementation of ''Networked DrumSteps'', an application that allows multiple users in different locations to collaborate in the process of music composition, but without the use of…

This paper reports an action research study of teacher and pupil talk about composing. Data were collected through video and audio recordings of composition lessons in a secondary school. Qualitative analysis of the data led to the development of a "typology of pupil talk about composing" which distinguishes between six main types:…

This was the twenty-second article in the Journal's bicentennial series. In it the author wrote about the achievements of noted black American composers. (RK)

Article focused on the development and the music of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, commonly called Shakers, since their arrival in the United States on August 6, 1774. (RK)

Article explained how Louis Braille developed a system of notation for music and literature. (RK)

A study was conducted to determine whether a stable set of core characteristics found to be associated with creativity in samples of creative adults would also distinguish a group of professional jazz musicians selected for excellence of improvisational ability. A second purpose of the study was to see whether such differences found between groups…

Author examined what exactly music is and what we get out of it. (Author/RK)

This is the second of two related studies designed to encourage the composition and use of contemporary music for young string players. Expanded techniques to intensify rhythmic training and introduce ensemble skills were effective. Second and third year students learned to play the pieces well and profited from the experience. Although 20th…

Computer Assisted Synthesizer System (CASS), a portable music synthesizer system which can produce tones from ordinary paper and pencil graphs, was developed and its usefulness for music instruction evaluated in this study. After completion of a pilot study to determine the feasibility of developing CASS and to run a trail test period, 28 fifth…

Contends that rhetorical theory of the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries influenced the theory of the composition of music and offers examples of vocal music which was adapted to the rhetorical appeals of logos, ethos, and pathos. (MH)

The world has long appreciated what most American intellectuals continue to ignore--that there is a significant American music, going its diverse ways with irresistible vitality. (Editor)

Discusses an alpha-numeric system of encoding musical notation--ALPHAMUSE--which is based on fundamental concepts of tonal statements. Encoding problems for pitch, duration, and superpositions are described and solutions offered. (RAO)

Provides some music literature sources for band and wind ensembles. Since music literature is crucial to both musical groups and the music curriculum evolves from music, these references are most important. (RK)

Looks back at the music literature of electronic music for the past thirty years to see what has been developed that is worthwhile as music and for use in music education situations. (Editor/RK)

On October 19, 1976, President Ford signed the nation's first comprehensive revision of our copyright law since 1909. It became fully effective on January 1, 1978 and it is a law that will need to be understood by music educators both to improve their teaching and to protect themselves and their schools from incurring liability or being sued. This…