<p> The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore elementary music teacher perspectives of subdivision and its instructional value in the general music classroom. This study aims to answer the questions: (a) How does the perceived definition of subdivision influence instruction? (b) How do elementary music teachers relate subdivision to other concepts? (e) How does training and professional development influence teacher perception? Elementary general music teachers (<i>N</i>=26) from an inner-city Title 1 school district in Central Texas participated in a descriptive survey. Results indicated that while participants explained that important relationship between subdivision and other concepts and marked it as extremely significant (88%), they ranked it seventh out of eight and allotted less than five minutes for instruction during lessons. In addition, the greatest influence on teacher perception of subdivision was the amount of training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Kod&aacute;ly and Orff Schulwerk, While Kod&aacute;ly teachers primarily related subdivision to rhythm, and thought that it was too complicated for young students, Orff and Dalcroze teachers were more likely to teach it in every concept. This study along with previously conducted studies suggest that elementary music teachers believe that subdivision aids in student learning. However, elementary music teachers appear to be hesitant to utilize subdivision during instruction.</p>

<p> Studying the choral works of the great composers of the past is always a worthy endeavor. For those aspiring to create an excellent high school choral program, it is critical to a student's musical foundation and heritage. Choral educators who teach high school are often bombarded with the most recently published new choral works, when they have a trove of excellent pieces right at their fingertips through websites like the Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL), all available at no cost. This project will explore the pedagogical reasons why this canon of public domain choral music should be taught at the high school level. A thorough guide to CPDL and an anthology of 200 works available on CPDL will provide the conductor with resources for programming this music.</p><p> Though choral music in the public domain is free to all, publishers still publish this music and adhere copyright claims. This can create mistrust of legitimate editions on CPDL; why are they available at no cost when publishers are claiming copyright on similar editions? These issues will be thoroughly discussed in this project.</p><p> For any given work on CPDL, there may be multiple editions available on the site. Choosing the right edition requires knowledge about basic editorial principles, especially for works written during the Renaissance period. A detailed discussion of these principles will provide the conductor with the tools needed to choose the best edition for his or her ensemble.</p>

<p> This study examines the music programs in liberal arts colleges through the historical lens of three Catholic Universities in the state of Florida. Although there are numerous historical dissertations and theses written about individual music schools and departments, and a few that compare music programs in similar types of institutions, none have compared music programs in Catholic universities within the same state. After teaching at Saint Leo University and experiencing the process of rebuilding a music program after it was almost completely lost in the mid-1990s, I wanted to study the histories of Saint Leo and other Florida Catholic institutions that have struggled through similar circumstances, but with very different outcomes.</p><p> I examined each music program through interviews with past and current faculty, administrators, and students; archival documents; published histories; school newspapers and yearbooks; and local newspapers and magazines. I visited each campus, photographed the physical facilities, and observed faculty and students. Gradually the stories of three music programs emerged. By comparing the data from each institution I was able to address the following research questions: 1. When and how did each music program begin? 2. How did each one develop (i.e., organization, curriculum, faculty, facilities, performing groups)? 3. What are the relationships between the Catholic affiliation of each of these institutions and the development of their respective music programs/departments? 4. What are the similarities and the differences between the music programs of these schools (i.e., structure, faculty, facilities, curriculum and degrees offered, performance groups, and students)? 5. What role does music play in the overall vision of the universities and their development? 6. What are the implications of this study for music education in these and other liberal arts colleges?</p>

<p> The applied music lesson remains a revered symbol of Western European tradition in American music education. Very little research exists assessing its continued viability as a method in its current form. This paper examines eight author observed assumptions about applied music lessons which flaw the learning process. Through available research, the assumptions demonstrate that the traditional applied lesson is teacher centered and difficult to assess. Exposing the resultant delusions of the eight assumptions reveals how a holistic approach in a studio can engage students in critical thinking and enhance student self-awareness. These primary goals place the educational emphasis on the process rather than the technically perfect performance as the terminal experience. Sample lesson techniques for undergraduate viola students will incorporate critical thinking methods to transform the weekly encounter into a student-centered experience which develops skills for continued self-directed study.</p>

<p> Directors of school concert bands continue to program new and emergent works alongside pieces considered to be part of the core and traditional repertoire. The purpose of this dissertation was to discover what criteria directors consider important in their review of new and emergent concert band works for use in rehearsal and performance. A secondary objective examined if director experience and educational background influenced the evaluation of this music used in high school instrumental settings. </p><p> In order to evaluate this recent repertoire, the Concert Band Repertoire Evaluation Criteria (<i>CBREC</i>) was developed by the researcher, and reviewed by a panel of collegiate directors. The review of the <i> CBREC</i> revealed it to be a reliable tool for the purposes of the study. An independent panel of experts in concert band repertoire selected three works to be reviewed by participants. Invited participants comprised band directors who hold membership in an international band fraternity. The teaching responsibilities of these directors included conducting concert bands at American senior high schools. Participant directors rated each work using the <i> CBREC</i> after viewing an image of the music score and listening to an audio recording of the piece. The participant directors had the option of rating their familiarity with each piece used and answering three open-ended questions regarding repertoire selection. </p><p> Data collected from the participants indicated favorable mean ratings for the works used in the study. When the participant data were analyzed in sub-groups, several statistically significant findings were reported. Sub-groups including older directors, directors teaching only one ensemble, and directors who answered open-ended questions in the study demonstrated more stability in their ratings of the repertoire used in the study than did younger directors, directors teaching multiple ensembles, and directors who did not respond to open-ended questions. </p><p> Results suggested participant directors reached a consensus regarding several aspects of the pieces used in the study, indicated by the <i> CBREC</i> Ratings and open-ended comments. The correlational analysis of <i>CBREC</i> Items demonstrated that directors are considering multiple aspects of a work during the evaluation process. Data supported that melodic material, pedagogical use, as well as timbre and orchestration influence how this group of directors estimate the longevity of new concert band works. </p>

<p> As researchers learn more about the human mind, educators adapt their curriculum to accommodate those findings. As these changes take place, school districts are offering different types of classes to help more students find success in their classes. One of the ways that music educators can contribute to these changes is to offer music classes other than the traditional band, choir and orchestra class. By adding a guitar class to the music curriculum, music teachers are opening the doors for more students to be able to learn about music and learn to play an instrument. Particularly, a guitar class is an effective way to include students with special needs in a music program. </p><p> This thesis will investigate adaptations designed for three students with special needs in a high school guitar class. Student A has been diagnosed as Autistic, Student B has been diagnosed with Asperger's disorder and also has behavioral issues and Student C has been diagnosed with a specific learning disability as evidenced in the areas of auditory processing and expression. The case studies provide an example of how accommodations and adaptations can easily be implemented within a guitar class curriculum for students with these types of learning disabilities.</p>

<p> This thesis is directed toward teachers who work primarily with music degree students on the collegiate level. Pedagogy is simply too often "hit or miss" in a student's degree curriculum, and yet the reality is that most musicians will have to teach at some point in their careers, whether they realize it as students or not. </p><p> This thesis provides a model for how to holistically integrate pedagogy into all aspects of the performance curriculum, so that string performance students are provided with the necessary tools to be both excellent performers and teachers, regardless of whether they ever take a pedagogy class. This is accomplished through: the examination of survey results regarding how schools are incorporating the National Association for Schools of Music requirements and recommendations for the integration of pedagogy into course curricula; an overview of survey results reporting how string performers and educators feel about the quality of the education they received in regards to preparedness for artist string teaching; and a discussion of how to create a holistic curriculum for performance and pedagogy that encompasses the three main areas of most string performance curriculums (the private studio, chamber music, and orchestra). </p><p> The overarching goal of this thesis is to build on the rich tradition of string playing and teaching that already exists, by introducing a curriculum that will holistically educate the student as both performer and pedagogue. At the heart of this approach is the need for fostering a "see one, do one, teach one" mentality in students.</p>

This article deals with the differences of a performance-based approach of music education in the USA and a reflection-based approach in Germany. The lessons represent very different ways to reach students through music. The students respond either more enthusiastic or more rational, but always positively.

Chapter and Analytical Short Films show the Scottish “aspects of quality” of music education. Four key capacities of comprehensive education: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors to society, and three key competences for comprehensive musicianship: listening, performing and composing.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: A. Adviser: Gary E. McPherson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 283-301) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.