Despite historic and ongoing support for the inclusion of improvisation in the elementary general music curriculum, music educators consistently report challenges with implementation of improvisational activities in their classes. This study was designed to examine (a) the extent to which improvisational activities were occurring in the…

This study was designed to examine the use and perception of selected teaching behaviors of high school band directors. Videotaped rehearsals of six band directors' top-performing ensembles were analyzed for conductor magnitude, sequential pattern components, and instructional pacing. Directors and students rated video excerpts of their…

The purpose of this study was to examine and describe children's music improvisations and the interactions that transpired within their four-person groups during regular weekly music classes as they planned and performed music improvisations in response to three different prompts: a poem, a painting, and a musical composition. Participants were…

Performance preferences and students' ideas of "correct" performance were affected by appropriate and inappropriate models. There was a slight difference between boys and girls and an overall preference for fast/loud music over slow/soft music. Correlations between verbal and behavioral preference indications were low but positive. (Author/SJL)

Study considers similarities in listener reaction to musical compositions. (RK)

Describes a teaching device, computer-controlled, that is used in the U.S.S.R. as an introduction to the elements of piano playing. (Author/RK)

Examines whether a relationship exists among the terms aesthetic response, felt emotional response, and perceived tension when used by individuals to describe personal responses to music. Compares music and nonmusic majors and reports no differences between them. Indicates a similarity between aesthetic and felt emotional response but a difference…

Examined results of pretests and posttests given to undergraduates enrolled in a music appreciation course to analyze the changes in their musical attitudes, opinions, and knowledge. Found that students exhibited a significant gain in knowledge about musical works; however, there was no significant difference in their opinions of these same works.…

Examines how popular music preference in listening exercises influences apparent time passage in a study involving 80 University of Texas, Austin, music and nonmusic major undergraduate students. Shows no significant relationship between music preference and apparent time passage. Finds no significant differences attributable to level of music…

Investigates novice teachers' perceptions of pacing in music instruction and identifies the aspects of timing that are associated with evaluations of instructional pacing. Reports that pace of instruction was rated more positively when the rates of student performance episodes and teacher activity episodes were higher rather than lower. (CMK)

Investigates the performance-quality ratings among college-age instrumentalists grouped in three solo preparation conditions using no accompaniment, live accompaniment, or intelligent digital accompaniment. Finds that the highest quality ratings across all groups were achieved in rhythm, technique, and articulation; the second performance ratings…

Examines the effects of conductor verbalization, dynamic markings, conductor gesture, and choir dynamic level on individual singers' dynamic responses. Indicates that verbal instructions from the conductor elicited significantly stronger dynamic performance responses than did the other instructional conditions. Suggests that additional research…

Evaluates teaching sequences in high-school choral rehearsals to provide insight into the relationship between ensemble achievement and performance preparation. Indicates that teacher pace improvement is unrelated to ensemble maturity, teacher verbalization may not relate to success, and teacher assistance and instructions decrease with student…

Explores whether focusing the attention of evaluators on students versus the teacher would affect the assessment of teaching in choral rehearsal situations. Music education majors used 10 categories to rate the teacher or students. Reveals that subjects gave the highest ratings when viewing the teacher and the lowest ratings when viewing students.…

Documents the responses of band students to a questionnaire consisting of statements regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities in the school band. Analyzes the responses of students who watched a video depicting the successful inclusion of disabled students and of those who did not view the video. (MJP)