Briefly reviews educational reforms initiated recently throughout China. Specifically examines those efforts aimed at primary-age music instruction. The last few years have witnessed the introduction of innovative teaching techniques, liberalization of hiring practices, and a general increase in music instruction. Specialized schools and private…

Reproduces a teaching strategy from the "Beginning and Intermediate Band" volume of the "Strategies for Teaching" series. The reproduction includes the objective, procedures, materials used, prior knowledge and experiences, indicators of success, and follow-up activities. The strategy supports the musical instructional standard 4C: composing and…

A classroom approach using music to enhance the enjoyment of literature in the French language class is discussed. Two short stories by Guy de Maupassant were tape-recorded by a professional actor, with background music added. Students listened to the tapes and completed a written exercise in which they answered vocabulary, comprehension, and…

Finds a number of Beethoven's military marches in contemporary arrangements. Although greatly revered for his classical music, Beethoven composed a variety of excellent marches. Usually penned for a specific historic occasion, they fit well into interdisciplinary study units and add variety and color to local music programs. (MJP)

Discusses the benefits of integrating the arts into education to help students learn more and better. The paper looks at advantages to including music, visual arts, dance, and theater arts in the classroom, explaining the part that arts play in assessment. Resources for integrated arts activities are included. (SM)

Investigates the nature and causes of performance-related injuries among young musicians. Briefly reviews injuries and health problems associated with specific instruments and gives tips for avoiding and treating these. Includes information on related reference works and journal articles. (MJP)

Identifies keyboards as effective vehicles for long-term and in-depth music instruction. Recommends using keyboard instruction as a centerpiece for meeting the National Standards for Music Education. Describes a number of instructional activities supporting this goal. (MJP)

Presents three lesson plans designed to work in conjunction with a live broadcast of the New York Philharmonic (may be available on videotape). The activities include identifying influences and components of works by Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. Includes a roster of the New York Philharmonic along with background material. (MJP)

Addresses the question of how to infuse an artistic aesthetic into classroom music performance. Recommends using material that offers students an aesthetic opportunity yet remains within their intellectual and artistic grasp. Discusses types of compositions that meet these requirements and suggests some creative rehearsal techniques. (MJP)

Asserts that study of the arts fosters the type of divergent and creative thinking needed in both the business world and society. Argues that educators should work together to develop schedules of eight instructional periods allowing for more arts instruction. Considers requiring arts courses for graduation from high school. (MJP)

Questions what students should know about music and claims that they need an increased awareness of the value of U.S. music, both as music and as representative of U.S. culture. Suggests that teachers can use ready made lists as starting points, but encourages them to compile their own. (KM)

Describes a Chinese lesson during which the techniques for playing the yang-ch'in are taught. Discusses why Chinese teachers use rote instruction in music lessons and why they use poetry and nonmusical scenes as indicators of music's expressiveness. Compares this method of utilizing imitation with U.S. teaching techniques and relates it to…

Described are science activities in which students concentrate on their senses and make discoveries with their eyes, ears, noses, mouths, and hands. Suggested experiments include activities involving cooking, tasting, observing, floating and sinking objects, making rain, and stringed musical instruments. (RT)

Outlines a series of creative ideas designed to increase the membership and effectiveness of a campus music organization. Ideas are collected under the broad categories of recruitment, retention, programs, special events, and fundraising. Suggestions include partnerships with other organizations, mentoring programs, and others. (MJP)

A preschool/kindergarten program that serves 18 students with deafness/hearing impairments and 11 hearing children uses music activities to develop speech, audition, language, and movement and to further explore current classroom themes. A deaf teacher models body movements, signs, rhythm, and facial expressions while a hearing teacher models…