Music Educators Journal

Barbara Andress, guest editor of this special focus section on music for prekindergarten children, is a professor of music education at Arizona State University, Tempe, and an author of articles and books on music in early childhood.

Faced with the challenge of educating preschool children, we must do more as music educators than simply extend the use of techniques that work with older students. Barbara Andress, professor of music education at Arizona State University, Tempe, explains how this can be done.

What do we know about music learning in young children? Carol Rogel Scott, chair of music education at Seattle Pacific University, reviews some of the current research findings in the field of music in early childhood.

Preschoolers need music! Susan Kenney of the music department of Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, discusses some effective ways to meet this need in day-care settings.

Instructors often overlook the rich mix of literature available for mid-level concert bands. John Grashel, associate professor of music at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, suggests some winning options at each of three levels of difficulty.

Reading novels instead of sheet music can often build interest among uncertain students. Here, Lois Stover, assistant professor of education at Towson State University, Towson, Maryland, discusses literature's galvanizing effect and suggests three special novels for your class.

How can teachers promote active classroom participation on the part of their students? Mary Friedmann, an associate professor of music at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, offers us some practical ideas.