Music In The Negro Public Schools And Suggestions For Improvement PDF Download

The purpose of this research is to find ways to improve the music programs in the Negro high schools of Mississippi through a study of the present situations. It is the desire of the author to point out some of the fallacies in the existing music programs, and to make recommendations based on sound basic concepts of music education. The author is also attempting to determine whether or not the Negro high school music programs in the state of Mississippi are anywhere near the norm for a good music program. If they are not, the author asks these questions: 1. What is absent or weak, and what can be done to supply the absent parts and to strengthen the weak parts? 2. Can a good music prpogram be built from the material at hand, or is more preparation and material needed? 3. Are the values of music recognized in the teaching of it? A questionnaire was sent to Negro schools containing questions that the author felt would help to present a true picture of the status of music education in the Negro high schools of Mississippi through the answers received from the schools about their music programs. The study includes material concerning the evolution of school music in America, Studies concerning various aspects of music programs, and a study of the music programs in the Negro high schools of Mississippi. The findings show that the music education offerings in the Negro high schools of Mississippi are limited, that there is need for a stronger music curriculum, and that there is a need for more trained music teachers in order that the music program may extend from grade one through grade twelve, thereby meeting the musical needs of the students through a balanced program.