Dr. Cory Meals, Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Houston, was the 2025 featured presenter for the Graduate Research Forum at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference. Dr. Meals presented two studies highlighting composer diversity in secondary ensemble lists. Analyses revealed an…

This research aimed to determine the methods for teaching piano by focusing on the synthesis of the concept of universalism and the author's philosophy of pedagogy, which affect the piano performance. Using an uneven scale, the author revealed that at baseline, the traditional approach to teaching piano was common (58%). However, this educational…

As science and technology advance rapidly, video semantic understanding (VSU) technology has made significant strides. This technology has garnered widespread recognition within the music industry and piqued the interest of film and television music creators. In the realm of film music creation, VSU technology serves as a powerful tool,…

This research aimed to study the peculiarities of learning to play the piano in China as a consequence of improving piano skills arising from the professional performance of modern pianists. By employing the coefficient of performance, it was determined by the authors that merely 11% of respondents possessed a high level of baseline piano skills,…

Chinese folk music, rich in cultural and historical significance, represents a vital element of the nation's intangible heritage. This study investigates the educational perspectives on the literacy of Chinese folk music recomposed for saxophone. Recomposing such music involves adapting traditional melodies for modern instruments like the…

Music classrooms have incorporated elements of cooperative peer learning for generations. Whether sharing an instrument or composing a song together, peers interact in many meaningful and spontaneous ways. While the principles of peer-assisted learning (PAL) might be familiar to many music teachers, the process and structures of reciprocal peer…

In this article, we propose a framework for a critical pedagogy of popular music for teacher education to better prepare music teachers to enact anti-racist praxis within their classrooms. Although a growing body of literature in music education addresses issues of racism within the field, fewer scholars have studied this within teacher education.…

The selection of repertoire is a critical component of ensemble music, especially in educational contexts. Accredited music education systems often rely on required, recommended, or prescribed music lists to assist in these selections. Nonetheless, previous content analyses have primarily focused on questions of creative quality, artistic merit,…

The aspiring composer's development is commonly described using the metaphor of finding one's own composer voice. A central goal for teaching composition in higher music education is to guide students toward finding such a voice--toward personal expression and creativity. In order to shed light on the teaching strategies associated with this goal,…

AI-based applications and content have become integral to our everyday lives, increasingly permeating the field of music education e.g. through algorithmically sorted listening recommendations, AI-generated lesson plans, or audio content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. These tools rely on machine learning and deep learning, which, despite…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the required music performance assessment (MPA) repertoire lists performed by high school and middle school choral and band programs in the state of North Carolina. The authors analyzed the number of pieces, composers, and ethnic and gender representations on the state MPA band and choral lists. In…

The rapid advancement of generative AI technologies is increasingly accompanied by their broader application across various sectors, particularly within creative industries. In this study, IBM Watson BEAT software, based on generative AI technology, was tested as an educational tool in the process of teaching music composition theory to flute…

This study explores the co-development of music theory resources for Grades 7 and 8 at the Malta School of Music using a case study methodology. The first author collaborated with learners to create and refine music theory guides, testing sample chapters in classrooms and incorporating iterative feedback. Data collection included focus group…

First-generation college students (FGCSs) are the first in their families to receive a baccalaureate degree. As a result, they face multiple sociological, familial, and cultural challenges as they navigate their college and professional environments. The purpose of this study is to explore the cognitive "soundtracks" that FGCSs create to…

Purpose: The impact and collective threat of climate change is of key concern to all. Music and arts education can play a role by responding to the ongoing climate crisis through the creation of artworks as activism. This paper discusses a collaborative online international music project and its potential contribution to sustainable development…