The creative music strategy is a dynamic and flexible seven-step model for guiding general music students through the music concepts of improvisation and composition, followed by critical reflection. These are musical behaviors that cultivate the development of our students' deeper conceptual understandings and music independence by helping them…

For decades, music teachers have shared the dread of writing formal lesson plans, yet most know that planning yields better instruction. Why does this disconnect continue? The common argument that music teachers make is that teaching music is fundamentally different from teaching other subjects. Lesson plans are written to pacify supervisors and…

Presents a series of interesting and creative learning activities designed to enhance students understanding and appreciation of classical music. Although designed to work in conjunction with a CD-ROM, most of the electronic material (music selections, scores, brief biographies) is available in libraries. Learning activities include objectives and…

Article discusses the benefits of traditional musical education, common practice', and relates the need for updating theory instruction with current practice. (RK)

A six-week course of study is outlined to prepare students for solo competition. Objectives are: to develop creativity; establish positive attitudes towards learning; encourage repeated public performances; teach students to apply previously learned information; develop interpretive independence; and expose students to information concerning the…

Describes different types of assessment and addresses both short- and long-term learning targets in music education. Provides suggestions for measurement and evaluating students' musical performances. Considers the purpose of assessment in music education. Includes a glossary of assessment terms, guidelines, and resources. (CMK)

Offers a means for slowly integrating assessment with the elementary music classroom instead of attempting a "whole program" conversion. Addresses how to get started, standards of achievement, how to record the assessment information, how to inform students and adults, and how teachers can review and revise their work. (CMK)

Addresses the importance of preserving the integrity of music education when it is part of an interdisciplinary curriculum. Discusses how to connect different disciplines in the curriculum, while still preserving the content of music education. Presents three descriptions of how this can be achieved. (CMK)

Describes the creation of a high school general music class by a university methods professor, a graduate assistant, and a high school choral director. Explains that the class used university methods class students to serve as guest lecturers and performers in the high school course. Discusses evaluation, benefits, and suggestions for creative…

Relates the founding of the Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) Project and addresses comprehensive musicianship. Describes the five parts (selection, outcomes, strategies, analysis, and assessment) of the Wisconsin CMP model. Provides an example of how the model works for a specific composition. (CMK)