The lived experiences evident in the cases presented in Alternative Approaches in Music Education provide an extensive, significant basis for rich discussions in music teacher education. The reader will be challenged to think broadly about the meaning and purpose of music education, and ways to reach students beyond the traditional music curriculum. The editor and authors are to be commended for their work in compiling these depictions that remind us again of the importance of music for all.

Linda Thompson, immediate past-chair, Society for Music Teacher Education

Music education is a dynamic field, responsive to the needs of students, teachers, schools, and society. The case studies of curricular innovation in this collection provide tangible evidence of this growth. The authors give us new models and paths to analyze, consider, and adapt as we seek to open up more musical opportunities for more students to engage in the satisfactions and challenges of musical engagement. Congratulations to the authors, editor, and contributors to the Critical Examination of the Curriculum group of the Society for Music Teacher Education.

Janet R. Barrett, Ph.D., chair-elect of the Society for Music Teacher Education, Northwestern University

Many music programs in schools focus almost exclusively on performance, whether this manifests itself through choirs, orchestras, bands, or other ensembles. Traditionally, these groups practice in ordinary classrooms and other performance space, and perform in an auditorium, concert hall, or gymnasium. Clements (Pennsylvania State Univ.) has assembled a collection of essays that explore a variety of innovative, exciting, and unusual ways to work with children in the music classroom. The 25 case studies presented explore a variety of topics, including world music, rock 'n' roll, film scoring, music technology, and composition. Examples demonstrate effective approaches with a variety of age groups, from preschool children to retirees….all are easy to read and follow, and contain a wealth of information gleaned by the contributors. The information regarding how to get a course proposal accepted, classroom strategies, curricular influences, and funding sources is especially useful. An excellent complement for Lucy Green's Music, Informal Learning, and the School: A New Classroom Pedagogy (CH, Oct'09, 47-0996) or Estelle Jorgenson's Transforming Music Education (CH, Jul'03, 40-6313). Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections.

July 2011, Choice Reviews

Alternative Approaches in Music Education explores some of the creative ways music educators across the United States are approaching emerging practices in music teaching and learning...The topics vary from pop music to multicultural music, and from music technology to film scoring. Many differing ideas are presented in real-world case studies....The book would be most useful to music educators who are looking for new options or methods of teaching music to students, or to college professors interested in showing future music educators that music education is not limited to band, chorus, orchestra, and general music.

Music Educators Journal