Describes activities in a secondary music class in which students communicate with talking drums. Maintains that the class project was developed during a teaching unit on the musical practices of the Ashanti ethnic group in Ghana. Includes instructions for making talking drums and four examples of orchestrating name rhythms for drums. (CFR)

Maintains that music educators have struggled for decades with issues related to a "multimusical culture." Contends that balancing the musical traditions of Western civilization and honoring the varieties of music of cultural subgroups is a major issue in contemporary music education. (CFR)

Contends that music educators must develop a stronger rationale for music education in the face of economic pressures and questions about the value of aesthetic education. Argues that music educators must stress both the utilitarian and aesthetic objectives of music. Includes six basic rationale statements for music education. (CFR)

Argues that history must be included in the study of music to understand the context of the composer's era. Maintains that historical performance information, music technology, the place of music in society, music literature, and performing practices also should be included. Provides four charts of recommended resources. (CFR)

Describes studying the steel drum, an import from Trinidad, as an instrument of intellectual growth. Describes how developing a steel drum band provided Montessori middle school students the opportunity to experience some important feelings necessary to emotional growth during this difficult age: competence, usefulness, independence, and…

Reports on a study that investigated the effects of the presence or absence of lyrics in children's musical selections on young children's responses to music. The children responded to either recorded lullabies performed by a women singing, or a solo instrument, or separate pieces with and without lyrics. (MJP)

The journal articles included in this bibliography of materials on music instruction in two-year colleges were identified in "Current Index to Journals in Education,""Education Index,""Music Educators Journal: Cumulative Index 1914-1987," and "Music Index." Nearly 90% of the articles discovered were available for review through the library…

Provided here is an interim evaluation, for the school year 1982-83, of the Motivational-Cultural Experiences project of the Cleveland Public Schools. The purpose of the project is to provide activities which enhance and enrich the experiences of urban children, grades K-12, by transporting them to local cultural facilities for performances of…

Daily newspapers may be used to broaden and enrich the curriculum in both elementary and secondary schools in a variety of ways. The newspaper can be useful in strengthening skills in the language arts and in the social studies and contains information relevant to students of all ages and levels of ability. The variety of topics a newspaper covers…

Since 1965 the National Assessment of Educational Progress has conducted a nationwide survey of musical abilities, during which 150 musical exercises have been administered to about 80,000 individuals in four age groups. Members of the Music Educators National Conference studied this survey to determine implications for the music teacher in terms…

An experimental course for the study of acoustics is taught at Hampshire College for students interested in the interface of physics and music. This paper outlines the course, describes the basic techniques it employs, gives examples of successful exercises, and discusses some difficulties not yet overcome. Computers are heavily utilized, removing…

In this curriculum guide a flexible music program is offered that provides a variety of interesting and challenging courses for pupils in grades 9 through 12. The objective is to present a musical education program to meet the wide range of needs of different pupils many of whom will use music as a hobby or to enrich their cultural background.…

Outlines the efforts of the National Endowment for the Arts' Chamber Music Rural Residencies (CMRR) program. The program seeks to educate and develop audiences for classical music in urban and rural areas. Discusses many of the classical orchestras and ensembles that the CMRR supports throughout the country. (MJP)

Outlines a philosophy for music literacy for all students that emphasizes wholeness. Suggests that music educators concentrate on nonverbal knowing, integrating popular and classical culture, balancing learned literature and improvisation, and making singing a central part of the music curriculum. Maintains that artistic excellence should be a…

Presents study results comparing attitudes of elementary school students who did or did not attend an in-school opera performance. Explains that students completed questionnaires measuring attitudes toward opera. Reports that fifth- and sixth-grade students experienced a positive effect from attending the opera. Suggests that fourth grade may be a…