The purpose of this study was to describe 11th- and 12th-grade high school string orchestra students in Texas public schools in terms of their decision to enter the field of string orchestra teaching as a possible career choice or to pursue another field of study. Convenience sampling techniques were used to secure a study population of 1,683 high school string orchestra students. The Junior and Senior High School String Orchestra Student Survey (researcher designed) was used to gather demographic characteristics, students' perceptions on selected intrinsic/extrinsic work values, tangible elements of teaching, intrinsic characteristics of string orchestra teaching, and individuals assisting in students' career choices. Selected elements of teaching cited by students for their lack of interest in string orchestra teaching were also reviewed. Analysis procedures for descriptive statistics included measures of central tendency, crosstabulation, frequencies and percentages. Consistent with prior research, it was found that a larger number of female students over male students were interested in string orchestra teaching. Students interested in fields outside of string orchestra teaching reported higher class grades, more honors and advanced classes and higher SAT/ACT mean scores. Students interested in string orchestra teaching reported a higher percentage of brothers/sisters, mothers and fathers who played instruments and relatives who were teachers. These students also reported a greater importance of a career that was self-rewarding, that would be directly helpful to society and where they could help contribute to the welfare of society. Students interested in string orchestra teaching expressed the great importance of their deep devotion to music and their desire to be a positive role model for children. Students interested in string orchestra teaching reported the great importance of their high school orchestra director as one of the individuals assisting them in their career decisions. Also consistent with prior research, the number one cited reason for a lack of interest in string orchestra teaching was found to be that teacher's salaries were perceived as too low. Examinations of ethnic group differences relative to the characteristics under investigation were also explored.

The purpose of this study was to survey and evaluate the music programs in Seventh-day Adventist academies in the United States during the 19 75-76 school year. Data were collected by means of a survey form sent to all principals and music teachers in the eighty schools and a music achievement test administered to graduating seniors in twenty-eight randomly selected academies. Although most departments judged the music facilities to be adequate, library materials such as scores, filmstrips, and in-service resources were needed in the majority of schools. One-half of the music programs did not have listening facilities available for classroom use. Comparing achievement test results for graduating seniors in Adventist schools with those of the standardization sample revealed no significant differences. The null hypothesis was rejected, however, when comparing size of school, location of school, type of school (boarding or day), sex of the student, and amount of piano and instrumental experience.

No description available.

The purpose of this study is to present, on the basis of the material obtained through survey methods previously indicated, a comprehensive picture of the small high school band library.

The study of music has long been seen as élitist in South African education, a ‘talent’ subject rather than an academic one. The country’s political history has played a significant role in this perception. Under the apartheid government, education in the arts was considered appropriate only for gifted, mostly white, students and a grossly inequitable distribution of resources placed the study of music beyond the reach of most students. The ANC government has declared educational reform a priority, but faces enormous challenges in redressing inequities of the past. This study examines the relevance and academic rigour of music curricula past and present, in the light of political influences; and the challenges that face schools and education departments in sustaining growth and development of music as an academic subject, accessible to all at senior secondary school level. / Music / M. Mus.

Hierdie studie handel oor die Klasmusiekopleiding van die Junior Primereonderwysstudent. Studente wat vir Junior Primere opleiding aan onderwyskolleges registreer, is verplig om opleiding in Klasmusiek vir een van die vier studiejare te deurloop. Navorsingsbevindinge toon egter dat die opleiding nie die gewenste resultate in die praktyk fewer nie. Om probleme en tekortkominge voortspruitend uit die opleiding te identifiseer is 'n literatuurstudie aan die hand van die volgende aspekte gedoen: (1) 'n Besinning oor die struktuur van die kurrikulum en formulering van kurrikulumkriteria vir die samestelling van 'n sillabus. (2) ldentifisering van die struktuur van musiek en van Klasmusiek. (3) Eksemplariese analise van sillabusse vir die Klasmusiekopleiding van die student ten einde bevindings en aanbevelings wat as riglyne vir herkurrikuleringsaksies in die toekoms mag dien, te formuleer. / This study deals with the education of student teachers for Class Music in the Junior Primary phase. Students who enroll for a Junior Primary Course at Colleges of Education have to follow a compulsory course of at least one year in Class Music during their four year training. Research has indicated however that the training of these students does not bring about the desired results in practice. To identify problems and shortcomings stemming from the training in Class Music, a literature study was undertaken in which the following aspects were dealt with: (1) Consideration of the structure of the curriculum and the formulation of curriculum criteria for the compilation of a syllabus. (2) Identification of the structure of music and Class Music. (3) Analysis of examples of syllabuses for the training of students in Class Music to formulate findings and recommendations to serve as guidelines for curriculum review and restructing in future. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Justifications for music education have been studied only by examining historical trends in statements of aesthetic versus utilitarian values, and not from the perspective of evaluating the justifications' usefulness. A number of prominent writers in the music education field, while supporting aesthetic values as important for music education, have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of aesthetic justifications when used for convincing outsiders of the importance of music in the public school curriculum. These doubts, along with a preponderance of aesthetic justifications in the recent music education literature, led to the present study, which conducted a theoretical examination of the usefulness of aesthetic justifications for music education. The study addressed three research problems, namely: (1) the attitudes of the clientele groups of the public schools in terms of their values toward music as a subject in the schools; (2) the attitudes of the groups within the music education profession in terms of their values for music in the public schools and for the profession itself; and 3) the likelihood that justifications based upon "aesthetics" as a system of values would be accepted by the groups both inside arid outside the music education profession. A philosophical-sociological perspective was chosen for the theoretical analysis because the problems of the study concern the manner in which values are accepted or rejected by groups of people. The particular sociological theory chosen combined the symbolic interaction theory of George Herbert Mead and the sociology of knowledge as described by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann. Conclusions: Problems arise in justifying music education using aesthetic theory because (1) the symbolic universe of aesthetic theory is complex and is not well-understood by music educators or the clientele of the public schools; and (2) aesthetic theory represents gestures of a reference group with norms and values not usually found in the music educator or clientele groups.

This study examined the Kodaly approach to music teaching and investigated four different approaches to teaching first graders in elementary school to sing on pitch, echo (clap) rhythms, audiate tonal patterns, and audiate rhythm patterns. The approaches were the Kodaly approach, the traditional approach, and two eclectic approaches. One emphasized some of the techniques of the Kodaly approach, and the other emphasized some of the techniques of the Orff approach. The sample for this study consisted of one hundred twenty-one students in five classes from four different elementary schools. Two instruments were utilized: the standardized Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA) by Gordon and the Individual Performance Test (IPT) designed by the investigator. The PMMA had two sections of forty examples each and measured the child's ability to audiate tonal and rhythmic patterns. This test was administered to the children as a group and they recorded their answers on an answer sheet. The IPT was tape recorded and administered individually by the investigator and assistants. It had two sections, rhythm and tonal. The children matched pitches and clapped the rhythms they heard. Responses were tape recorded and evaluated. Pretests were given shortly after the school year began and post-test were given eight weeks later. A completely randomized analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in the achievement of the children in the different classes to perform the selected skills. Findings revealed that the approach to music teaching does make a difference in the musical achievement of first-graders and their abilities to echo rhythms, match pitches, and to audiate rhythm patterns. The approach to music teaching does not make a difference in the musical achievement of the subjects and their abilities to audiate tonal patterns.

The purpose of the study was to investigate conflicts in the perceptions of band directors, band parents, band students, and selected school personnel regarding the role and scope of their respective band programs. The problems were to examine the relationships among these four groups in terms of selective perception, perceptual constancy, and polarization. Questionnaires were developed in order to survey the senior public high schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition to demographic data, the questionnaires included perceptions about public performances, marching, concert, and jazz bands; contests and festivals; and other band related activities which might be desirable in a band program. The questionnaires concluded with opportunities for open-ended comments and suggestions about the survey instrument and the band program. Statistical computations included one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, frequency counts, and cross-tabulations. Qualitative analyses and reports of interviews helped to clarify and interpret all statistical findings.

The first of any formal education in music that can be found from the records or from the memories of those who were present at the time was the singing school. One ranch in the Blair community has files in which records were found of all import ant events of the school and community life. These files relate the coming of the singing school regularly every summer. Shaped notes were taught front hymn books. At the end of the course, a certificate was given to those who graduated. The teacher of the school then moved on to the next engagement.