Describes the origin and history of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and of the National School Orchestra Association (NSOA). While memberships overlap, the two organizations have a distinctive identity. They have shared convention sessions, lectures, and editors. (CS)

Discusses the life of William Billings, an early American composer and a leader in one of the earliest forms of organized music education in the United States: singing schools and singing societies. Examines his contributions to the U.S. musical heritage and briefly surveys his publications. (GEA)

Reviews the convention activities of the Music Educators National Conference for the period 1907-1980. The text is accompanied by seven historical photographs. (SJL)

Presents the life and work of Calvin Brainerd Cady, an influential U.S. music educator who developed a theory of music education that emphasized the unification of children's thoughts and feelings. Discusses Cady's educational practices in depth and how his work remains relevant to current music-education practices. (DSK)

Discusses THE NEW YORK TIMES music critic Harold C. Schonberg's contributions to music education. Argues that Schonberg's articles about the contemporary music scene have helped to broaden the public's appreciation of music. Offers an in-depth look at the life of a man dedicated to music. (BSR)

Claims Edgar B. Gordon's most unique contributions were his highly influential but less publicized involvement with radio instruction in music. Traces Gordon's professional development, details his radio involvement, and analyzes his instructional techniques and materials. (Author/BSR)

In this bulletin, the Music Teachers' National Association committee on the history of music and libraries presents the summaries of the questionnaire prepared by the committee and sent out by the Bureau of Education in 1917-18. This is the first statement to show the condition and resources of the music sections of public and school libraries,…

The author criticizes music education historians for presenting John Hullah as the protagonist of vocal music instruction in nineteenth century England, arguing that the credit for developing and popularizing the "sol-fa" system of singing instruction in elementary schools belongs to two unrecognized educators: John Curwen and Sarah…

Presents a short history of and photographs from meetings of the Music Educators National Conference from 1907 through 1934. (SJL)

Offers a retrospective of group singing in the United States and notes that the nation's citizens are becoming music spectators possibly due to the advances in technology. Emphasizes the importance of teaching students about songs that are representative of U.S. history. (GG)

Finding that no comprehensive report of the extent to which music is taught in the schools of the several States and of the methods used in teaching had ever been made, the author was requested to make a thorough investigation of the subject for the Bureau of Education. This bulletin embodies the results of this study, giving with little comment,…

Describes the life of Theodore Presser and the establishment of the Presser Foundation in 1916. Presser was a music publisher and the founder of "Etude" magazine. The Presser Foundation provides scholarships to music students, aid to elderly music teachers, and help to colleges for building music facilities. (CS)

The late 19th and early 20th centuries child-study movement called for the widespread "scientific" observation and study of children. Movement leaders sought to reform the public schools and to make them more child-centered. Music educators adopted some child-study principles, incorporating them in textbooks. Psychological literature on…

John Curwen made many contributions to music education. He taught singing through the sound of tones before students learned notation, originated a widely used system of hand signals for the tones of the scale, and emphasized a feeling for the basic beat underlying the durations of tones. (CS)

Discusses the life and career of Lowell Mason, the first professional music educator in the United States. Explores Mason's dual career as educator and businessman. Describes his involvement in choral directing, instrumental music, public school music teaching, and music teacher training. Attributes Mason's success to his teaching skills,…