"It is the purpose of this study to examine current trends in the production of outdoor music performances in the public schools of the South Florida area with a view toward determining not only the extent of such practices, but the techniques involved. Apparently no study has been published concerning the unique opportunity for outdoor music performances this climate affords, although outdoor programs have long been a part of South Florida's school activities"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "August, 1955." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music Education." / Advisor: Robert L. Briggs, Professor Directing Paper.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the curricular content of elementary music in China between 1912 and 1982. The questions addressed were: (1) What changes in elementary music resulted from China's becoming a republic in 1912? (2) What changes in elementary music resulted from China's becoming a socialist country in 1949? (3) What changes in elementary music in the People's Republic of China resulted from the Anti—Rightist Struggle Movement in 1957? (4) What changes in elementary music in the People's Republic of China resulted from the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)? (5) Have changes occurred in elementary music in the People's Republic of China since the beginning of the reform movement in 1978? (6) Did any of the changes affect curricular goals, contents, methods, required materials, and instruction time allotted in a like manner, or did some of these components remain the same while others changed? (7) Were the changes important enough to attribute them to a changed political ideology? After translating all pertinent documents, the goals, contents, methods, materials, and time allotted for the elementary music curricula between 1912 and 1982 were listed and identified. Subsequently, the areas of focus within those categories as well as changes in focus were identified and their importance determined. The findings were: (1) all important curricular changes occurred after 1950; and (2) changed goals resulted in changed teaching techniques; however, changed teaching techniques did not result in the changing of goals.

The educational progress of pupils is of deep concern to pupils, parents, and teachers alike. If one is teaching in an Indian community, he knows that the teaching of music to such children will require different methods from those used in some other community. Often the pupils have had little or no experience with music. The effective school adjusts its curriculum to the abilities and needs of all pupils. The general music class in the junior high school is the heart of the music program. The pupil’s growth in musical values is the teacher’s responsibility. The materials and methods of the music teacher cannot be effective unless they are chosen and used with a total picture in mind of the child and his background. Classroom situations must be set up which consider and encompass as well as possible the student’s environment, his personal needs, and his present interests and attitudes.

This study is a progressive series of string quartets for children ages six to eight. A picture and a story for the child accompany each of the twenty lessons. The stories are written about animals, birds, and incidents that exist in the child's world. They are designed to arouse associations between familiar subjects or incidents and unfamiliar problems at hand. The second section of this work is entitled "Instructions to the Teacher." A child's interest is sacrificed when he is burdened with too many technicalities. Thus the teacher is fully informed of the difficulties in each lesson, and suggestions are given for solving the problems that arise.

For a long time there has been a growing conviction among the music graduates from colleges in Texas that the training of music teachers has been limited both from the standpoint of the number of hours offered in music for a degree and of the adequacy of the training received. The trends in music teacher education in Texas need to be evaluated in order to determine whether or not teacher training in this state is adequate. In comparing the adequacy of the school curriculum as far as the number of hours and courses is concerned, McEachern's A Survey and Evaluation of the Education of School Music Teachers in the United States will be used as a source of comparison, since this study is inclusive of the curricula of colleges over the United States.

It is the purpose of this study to set forth facts, substantiated by investigation of authoritative sources, proving that all selections used on the concert program of a high school chorus should serve a permanently constructive purpose toward the musical growth of the students. The first part of the thesis concerns those elements which have to be taken into consideration in teaeching any high school music group These are: 1. The psychological make-up of the group in regard to age and physical development. 2. The psychological make-up of its audience. 3. The existing level of musical skill of the group as a whole. 4. The existing degree of aesthetic appreciation of the chorus and its audience. The latter part of the work specifies the aims in vocal instruction of the high school choral course. These include sight reading, breathing, tone, pitch, diction, phrasing, and interpretation. It also attempts to demonstrate how the preparation of a concert program serves to accomplish these aims. This involves a critical evaluation of each number on a proposed program in reference to the following points: 1. Psychological reception by the group and its audience. 2. Its contribution toward improved aesthetic discrimination on the part of singers and listeners. 3. The opportunity afforded for specific vocal and musical training.

The purpose of this study is to present a comparison between recommendations made by authorities in the field of music education regarding the music curriculum in the elementary and junior high schools and the music curricula currently in existence, based on the tabulated results of a questionnaire sent to various school systems in Texas.

iv, 126 leaves.

These eight were selected as typical lyrics to meet the diverse interests of students in the intermediate grades and to aid the teachers of those students in transmitting desired precepts and ideals. The poems are short and varied in verse form. The subject matter ranges from pirates and fairies to one's own conscience and Christmas; the moods, from whimsicality and nonsense to patriotism and reverence. The marked poetic devices influencing the choice of these particular lyrics are their rhythmical and alliterative quality; their rich, lively, yet correct language; their vivid imagery; their emotional appeal; and in a few cases their narrative quality.

The study at hand has purposes as follows: 1. To measure through a special test the musical knowledge achievement of secondary school music organizations in the state of Texas. 2. To determine the influence of private music instruction upon music knowledge achievement. 3. To determine the influence of family musical propensities upon music knowledge scores. 4. To determine the relation between music knowledge scores on the one hand and type of music organization and size of school enrollment on the other. 5. To compare ratings in music performance with music knowledge achievement.