Music Educators Journal

The task of fostering better listening skills and a deeper understanding of music becomes easier with an understanding of how students describe the music. Patricia J. Flowers introduces the subject of listening with a discussion of how teachers can encourage meaningful music description.

An understanding of how students develop listening skills also requires an understanding of the sense of hearing. Alice-Ann Darrow explains how the ear and the brain work together to make music listening possible.

How comprehensive should responsible arts education be? Paul Haack explains why, in addition to teaching about the objective properties of music, music educators should openly address the subjective, “feelingful” side of music listening.

In this overview of recent research on music listening, Steve Hedden presents some ideas that may help teachers improve listening instruction in their classrooms.

How can music educators best help youngsters learn to listen? Wendy Sims offers some guidelines for effective teaching.

The instrumental rehearsal makes learning listening skills not only possible but necessary. Using specific examples, James Byo shows how to promote active, thoughtful listening in your students.

Training the ear and the mind to discriminate and enjoy elements of choral performance can be a tremendous challenge. Charles R. Robinson examines the ways different hearers respond to musical sound.