Discusses the importance of developing second grade student listening, singing, and composing skills. Explores the second-grade singing apprenticeship where students can sing alone, as a group, or listen to other groups. Focuses on teaching singing skills and allowing students to experiment with music. (CMK)

Focuses on the importance of vocal health for students. Discusses learning about vocal health care and the techniques used to educate music students about it. Includes an annotated bibliography of resources on vocal health, a survey to administer to students, and "Jewels of Wisdom" useful to music teachers. (CMK)

Explores the idea of a school ensemble culture in bands, orchestras, and choirs. Focuses on themes of ensemble culture: (1) identity; (2) transmission; (3) social dimension; (4) practical and personal boundaries; (5) organizational hierarchy; (6) traditional song; (7) traditional performance practices; (8) the diaspora; and (9) other areas. (CMK)

Challenges early childhood teachers to sing to and with young children, with parents, and with other adults. Discusses singing as an often neglected physical and emotional experience in American culture. Makes suggestions for singing and effectively involving children in music activities throughout the school day, including selecting songs…

Discusses the problems music teachers have with assessment because they teach a wide variety of students. Addresses the reasons why music teachers should assess their students. Includes ten tips for teachers on how to assess students in the music classroom. Provides information on using an electronic grade book. (CMK)

States that discovering the origins of one's school music group can promote interest in the school's music programs. Discusses books that provide historical information on school music programs; provides ideas for formulating teaching objectives; and tells how to locate sources and organize data. (DB)

Maintains that elementary music programs are an asset to the instrumental teacher. Discusses how the pedagogical techniques used in elementary music programs can be applied to instrumental classes. Analyzes aural learning, movement, hand signs, familiar songs, and phasing and form. Suggests how these can be incorporated into instrumental classes.…

Reviews Goetze's dissertation investigating two factors that affect accuracy in young children's singing: the presence of other voices in unison singing, compared with individual singing, and the use of text rather than a neutral syllable. States that the research is of high quality leading directly to classroom practice. (LS)

Approaches the training of an inexperienced choir by using the concepts of melody and scale to promote confidence and skill in choral singing. Laying this groundwork allows students to develop their aural skills, as well as their confidence and enjoyment of performance. (LS)

Reports on a study which examined the relationship between young children's language development and their tonal and rhythm performance of rote songs with and without words. Suggests that, since no relationship was found, two mental processes may be necessary for learning; one for audiation, and another for learning the words of the song. (LS)

Asserts that African American slaves used their spirituals to provide themselves with a rhetorical self-definition that served to refute limiting definitions pressed on them by whites. Suggests that, as a form of slave resistance to psychological oppression, spirituals were used to limit the slaves' value to owners while enabling the slaves to…

Percussion programming can be integrated into a camping experience that actively involves campers in clapping, singing, and dancing. Provides suggestions for making percussion instruments out of natural materials, and offers ideas for using percussion in storytelling, listening activities, and camper wake-up calls. (LP)

Notes that musical aptitude is not developed or nurtured through mere "exposure" to music but through active participation in singing and moving to music. Provides a rationale and suggestions for teaching singing in early childhood classrooms. (HTH)

Discusses the increasing cultural diversity of the United States. Suggests that a multicultural approach to choral music helps students discover other cultures, as well as underlying universals. Recommends singing activities that contribute to greater multicultural awareness. Includes a listing of works for developing a multicultural choral…

Although music performance classes may include one or two public concerts each year, these concerts should not be the main class focus. Fine music programs can be identified by their balance, curriculum quality, activity level, and opportunity for students of all abilities. (MLH)