Notes that classroom management is an important part of teaching, and discusses movement, music, and drama as effective classroom-management tools for difficult parts of the daily routine. Offers examples of songs, chants, finger plays, and other activities to ease the stress of waiting, or to help meet the physical and emotional demands of young…

Provides a list of nine basic principles based on research on how to develop and maintain a healthy voice. Explains that by following the basic principles teachers can train their choir singers without straining the students' voices or making them hoarse. (CMK)

Proposes to determine whether inaccurate singers have differing abilities in pitch discrimination and tonal aptitude than accurate singers. Finds no statistical difference in pitch discrimination or tonal aptitude between accurate and inaccurate singers. Suggests that inaccurate singers are not "tone deaf" or lacking in sufficient aural…

Investigates whether the language characteristics of Northern Sotho and English song-texts have any effects on children's singing pitch and whether there are any differences between the Sotho- and English-speaking children's singing pitch. Demonstrates differences in children's singing pitch due to the languages of song-texts and linguistic…

Explores whether the basic song repertoire of vocal/choral music education majors is significantly better than instrumental music education majors. Participants attempted to identify 25 standard songs. Reveals no significant difference between the two groups, indicating that neither had developed a strong repertoire of songs. (CMK)

Investigates the relationship of psychomotor skills instruction on student attitudes in grades 4-6 towards singing and general music instruction. Finds females have more positive attitudes, interest declines as grade-level increases, group vocal instruction may produce more positive attitudes, and a positive relationship between liking to sing in…

Explores the form and content of the education that aristocratic girls received in ancient Greece in the context of their preparation for performance in lyric choruses. Offers background information on the function and structure of choral activity in Greek society. (CMK)

Suggests ways to use the Band-in-a-Box (BIAB) software created by PG Music in the general music classroom. Benefits of the program to music teachers; Key features of BIAB; Basic steps in making an accompaniment in BIAB; Tips on putting in chords; National standards for music education. INSET: Band-in-a-Box Interface.

Manos Hadjidakis and his work are like his song, "O Mythos," for they take you from reality to fantasy and bring you back again. In Magnus Eroticus, the combination of lyrics and music is at the highest level of sensibility and the musical style of each song is superb. Music follows the verse to express its deepest meaning while…

This paper outlines a novel approach to studying children's singing that enables a more accurate and global picture to be drawn of children's actual level of singing achievement across a range of tasks. It enables predictions to be made about their potential singing development in a formal school setting. It draws on a two-year longitudinal field…

Music educators want to encourage every child to sing or play an instrument--or at least they want them to feel capable of successful singing and playing. But recently, those of them concerned with performing arts medicine and musicians' injuries have had to deal with the sobering truth that just being able to sing or play an instrument is not…

Trends in ecstasy use in America during the past decade were reflected in mainstream, American rap-music lyrics between 1996 and 2003. Drawing on communication and cultural studies theory, this article provides a content analysis of 69 rap songs mentioning the club drug ecstasy. The songs are coded according to whether they contain positive, mixed…

This article presents practitioner research dealing with improvisation in solfege as a creative alternative for the development of music perception. Solfege practice, conceived as a personal construction of a melody, requires an attitude that embraces aural sensitivity to the spatial and temporal dimensions of a melodic line, identification of…

The challenge for music education is to nurture and develop each individual's basic musicality. Assuming normal neurological functioning and development, we are all musical. Our musical development begins pre-birth, with musical behaviours in one form or another being evident across the lifespan. Nevertheless, early enculturation can both foster…

Music offers toddlers many opportunities for playful exploration, discovery, self-expression and communication. However, in some settings the reality of the many demands of a busy daily program means children are offered only occasional or limited music experiences. Further, some playroom staff are uncertain about how best to plan music…