Describes the use of television commercials to teach classical music. Points out that a large number of commercials use classical selections which can serve as a starting point for introducing students to this form. Urges music educators to broaden their views and use these truncated selections to transmit our cultural heritage. (KO)

Described an advanced college-level course on contemporary French culture which used popular songs, supplemented by readings and news articles, as the focus for presentations on cultural phenomena relating to geography and travel, the family, education, work and leisure, government, and daily life. (CB)

Discusses the use of imagination as a tool to improve students' musicianship. Suggests that imagery can be used to teach intonation, tone color, sight-reading, and expression. Describes active listening in which the students must use musical memory and participate in musical expression to produce a certain sound that may be difficult to describe.…

Presents study results of the effects of different teaching methods on the ability of nonmusician, college students to distinguish meter. Explains that one group heard meter defined with examples, another emphasized meter with large muscle movements, and a third heard examples with reinforcing clicks. Reports that all groups differed from the…

Examines effects of aural, visual, and combined aural/visual conditions on the emotional response to music and dance of musicians and nonmusicians. Indicates no significant differences in perceived artistic tension based on musical background or on experimental conditions. Responses were similar regardless of prior consideration of the existence…

Contends that only students with performance or composing abilities are given a chance to explore music in their education. Stresses the importance of teaching all students how to listen to music in an active, "minds-on" way instead of only teaching hands-on activities. Challenges the traditional music curriculum by refuting five myths…

Few teachers, students, or parents would question the importance of practice when learning to sing or play an instrument. And, while most who are involved in music education would probably concur on certain aspects of what constitutes good music teaching and lessons, they would probably also agree that a problem may exist in what takes place in…

The music classroom is the perfect setting for investigative and imaginative inquiry--for teaching students how to talk about music. Because dialogue that is done well is too dynamic to be captured in a one-dimensional model, the ideas and frameworks in this article are merely intended to serve as springboards for eliciting richer discussions in…

This article is taken from doctoral research which sought to discover the nature of teachers' pedagogy in the primary school classroom by looking at their understanding of the teaching of composing, their approach to lesson design and organisation, and the way these are reflected in their practice. Specific examples of six case studies involving…

The aim of this study was to investigate maternal beliefs and uses of music with infants. One hundred mothers of infants aged between seven and nine months of age were recruited in Montral, Canada. Mothers were interviewed on musical background, musical preferences, beliefs and uses of music with their infants. The results suggested that, despite…

The typical music history or appreciation class teaches students to analyze musical elements and think generally about the aesthetics of historical periods but rarely encourages them to consider why the overwhelming majority of the composers discussed are white, European, middle- and upper-class men. Courses on popular music often discuss jazz and…

Describes Southwest Missouri State University's efforts to transform opera from an event that the audience simply watches to an event that stimulates life-long learning and interest in the arts for rural public school children. The project incorporates elements of experiential and interactive learning to benefit both the student performers and the…

The author discusses techniques on how to establish rapport between the choir and young audiences. According to him, one of the choir's most important assets just might be something he calls access-ability. One of Webster's definitions of "access "is" permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, or communicate with." When it comes to…

The rap music lyrics were analyzed to flush out the hip-hop culture's perspective on the education of African American (AA) youth. It was found that there is a need for the implementation of more culturally relevant curricula in schools, which benefits the students to understand hip-hop culture.

This instructional resource, intended for grades three and up, includes an illustrated children's book and an audiotape. Also included is a teacher's guide written by Michael P. French. This resource tells the story of African American music in six main sections, beginning with its African roots and then describing five of the major styles of…