The primary goal of this study was to examine the reliability of Rutkowski's Singing Voice Development Measure for use in the general music classroom, Grades 1-6. Results indicated that the rating scale, although originally designed for young children, is reliable for use when children in Grades 1-5 perform a short major song in solo. Results from ancillary problems indicate that (a) elementary children may have a better use of their singing voice when performing a major song than a minor song, and (b) a large portion of the children sampled did not have full use of their singing voice.

The purpose of the study was to determine Canadian secondary school choral students' skill in singing the national anthem. The sample (N = 275) consisted of students from 12 schools, representing six provinces in Canada. Students were audio taped singing 'O Canada' in English, French, or in a combination of both languages and subsequently completed a questionnaire. Results indicated that few students could sing the national anthem perfectly. Although students were significantly more accurate in remembering the lyrics than in singing the melody (p < .0001), only 67% were judged proficient in lyrics whereas a mere 46% were judged proficient in melody. Possible reasons for these poor results include the frequency with which students sing the anthem in secondary schools, the fact that three-quarters named a classroom teacher in the early/elementary years as being the one responsible for teaching them the anthem, the shift to solo versus group singing in public events, and the inconsistency with which music education is delivered in elementary schools. Implications for practice indicate that more emphasis be placed on assisting choir members to sing the anthem accurately, more opportunities be provided in secondary schools for students to sing the anthem, and more curricular attention be placed on teaching students both English and French versions.

The purpose of this study is to compare American and Canadian high school choral students’ knowledge of their respective patriotic songs. The questions of the study are as follows: (a) do students sing accurately their respective national anthems relative to melody and lyrics; (b) do students sing accurately "America" and "God Save the Queen" relative to melody and lyrics; (c) do students sing accurately the national anthems of each other’s country relative to melody and lyrics; and (d) is there a difference in the accuracy when students sing their respective and each other’s patriotic songs? The sample consisted of 102 secondary school students who were enrolled in non-auditioned choir classes and audio taped singing unaccompanied versions of their respective national anthems and "America" or "God Save the Queen." Results indicated that overall, Americans were significantly more proficient than Canadian singers. When converted to percentages, 77% of American students and 41% of Canadian students were judged as proficient when singing lyrics and melody of their own National Anthem. American students were significantly more accurate (p &lt; .0001) in melody and lyrics when singing "America" than Canadian students who performed "God Save the Queen." Implications for practical application indicate that more emphasis should be placed on giving choir students the opportunity to sing their own national anthems, with special attention to typical lyric mistakes.

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