Choral method textbooks include various strategies on when and how to introduce expression in song acquisition including vocal modeling. In two previous studies, participants who learned expressive elements early in a song-learning sequence (infused-expression) performed those elements more accurately than those who learned them at the end of the…

The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize research related to perceptions of choral tone and to provide implications for future research and praxis. Although considerable research exists on the topic of choral tone, choral music professionals have indicated contradictory philosophies of what makes "good" choral tone. To…

Previous research findings of assessment in choir indicated that teachers favor non-performance criteria such as attendance and attitude over music knowledge and skill. Music education researchers have encouraged teachers to instead use measurable learning goals that inform teaching practices and document student growth. New assessment…

Elementary music educators use a variety of strategies in classroom instruction. The purpose of this case study was to explore student perceptions of Curwen hand signs, a common instructional strategy in elementary music classrooms. Second- and third-grade students reported various challenges, benefits, and influential factors surrounding hand…

Music educators typically use a variety of strategies to teach their subject matter, one core practice of which is modeling. Vocal modeling is a type of aural demonstration, with uses ranging from pitch matching and song instruction to vocal tone building and musicianship development. In early studies, researchers primarily studied the effects of…

Intonation is one of the most challenging performance elements for developing wind instrumentalists. There is a need to provide in-service band directors with evidence-based instructional strategies that can be used when teaching their students to perform with accurate intonation. The purposes of this research-to-resource article are to provide…

The inclusion of musics from varied cultural traditions in school music curricula has become increasingly important. Research findings indicate that providing students with opportunities to learn musics from diverse cultures can increase acceptance and appreciation of different cultures, enrich music and cultural experiences, and nurture…

There are many factors that influence the ability to play with accurate intonation, and this extending-the-discussion article provides contextual information and suggested teaching strategies for helping students develop such abilities. This Part 2 article describes a series of music activities and teaching strategies that can allow teachers to be…

The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize literature regarding audio streaming in the P-12 music classroom by identifying the varied uses, recommendations for equitable access, and gaps in the knowledge base. A total of 23 publications met the criteria for inclusion. Ensemble and general music classrooms in elementary, middle, and high…

The purpose of this review of literature was to explore intersections between movement and gesture, and to examine their effects on singing. Music educators have long championed the integration of movement into music instruction. The effects of movement have been studied and correlations found between an individual singer's intonation, internal…

Through the use of an intrinsic case study, I investigated student and teacher perceptions of a collaborative and student-directed music learning approach in a high school choral classroom. Students (N = 29) in a beginning high school choir were asked to choose and learn a piece of repertoire without substantive input or help from the choral…

Learning to sing from notation is a complex task, and accurately performing pitches without an external reference can be particularly challenging. As such, the use of mnemonic devices to reinforce tonal relationships is a long-standing practice among musicians. Chief among these mnemonic devices are pitch syllable systems and Curwen hand signs.…

Recent curriculum policy changes in British Columbia (BC) require that educators in all subject areas--including music--embed local Indigenous knowledge, pedagogies, and worldviews in their classes. Yet facilitating such decolonizing cross-cultural music education activities requires knowledge that music educators may not currently possess. We use…

The recent increase in popular music education in K-12 school music programs is in part due to the expansion of modern band programming throughout the United States. Modern band is a term used to describe school music ensembles that include popular music instruments and focus on performing music that is meaningful to the students while…

This review of literature is a synthesis of research surrounding the production of superior choral performance. Findings described in this review suggest director characteristics, rehearsal techniques, singer behaviors, and auxiliary supports that are important to, or common in, the creation of meritorious performance. Effects of instructional…