Thirteen experts in the visual arts, literature, music, dance, and theater responded to the arguments of E. D. Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know", focusing particularily on his alarm at the serious slippage that has occurred in the background knowledge and information prerequisite for effective communication.…

While the capacity to recognize and appreciate beauty may be inborn in all of us, participation in the arts as an audience or artist usually involves a learning process. What is the relationship between childhood and early adult experiences with the arts and later participation? In 1982, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the…

This report identifies important questions in music curriculum content in undergraduate study. Generally, the music curriculum must deal with: (1) training in the making of music; (2) musical "objects"; and (3) the study of music in the larger context. Part 1 reviews the: (1) current undergraduate music curriculum; (2) undergraduate music…

A classroom guide is designed for use with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra's Young People's Concert program. Following an introduction to teachers and students, the guide is divided into six sections. Section one, "The Orchestra and Its Instruments," provides teaching activities to introduce the sections of and instruments in an orchestra.…

Students' understanding of musical style periods was assessed at Liberty Baptist College. The investigation was prompted by evidence suggesting that non-music majors who complete a music appreciation course understand a broad overview of music history better than music majors who complete music history courses. Compared to the music history…

Describes a day care program in Brooklyn, New York, in which preschool children participate in drama, music, and art, activities with help from the cultural resources and the creative people of the city. (ED)

Describes a program in South Carolina which used arts professionals in the schools to provide a unique opportunity for support by community organizations in stimulating education through the arts. Includes an address listing of all state arts agencies. (CS)

The process of aesthetic education is not limited to the fine arts. Parallels may be identified in the language arts and particularly in the art of creative reading. As in a musical experience, a creative reader will apprehend the content of the literature and couple personal feelings with the events of the reading experience. Parallel brain…

This document outlines the music curriculum for students in grades K-8 in Arizona public schools. Developers state that music educators should use the document as the content criteria for selecting state adopted textbooks and materials. As a result of participating in the music program, students should develop an increasing commitment to music,…

This teacher's guide is designed to accompany two 15-minute color television programs dealing with the creative process involved in conceiving a composition. The programs are appropriate for junior high school string students and instrumental students in string methods courses at teacher training institutions. In the program, the composer explains…

This guide outlines a music program for grades seven through nine. The guide replaces the interim guide issued in 1977 as part of an overall revision of music programs for Manitoba schools and is designed to articulate with the existing guide for K-6. The developers believe that junior high school students learn best through active personal…

This module provides readers a broad view of the development of music and the plastic arts in Puerto Rico. At the same time, the module includes the names of Puerto Ricans who have found distinction in these fields of endeavor. A preassessment test, learning alternatives, postassessment test, and various narratives concerned with the theme of the…

The material in this curriculum guide for a high school elective course may be used in a variety of curriculum designs--from a mini-elective to a full year course. Although it is obvious that none of the students will become expert guitarists in the time alloted, hopefully, through a program based on guided self-instruction and doing, they will:…

Describes activities and exercises that develop children's music appreciation and general listening skills, preparing them for composing original lyrics and music. (RL)