Songs in Their Heads: Music and Its Meaning in Children's Lives

This book explores the meaning and value of music in children's lives, based upon their expressed thoughts and actual "musicking" behaviors in school and at play. Blending standard education field experiences with ethnomusicological techniques, Patricia Campbell demonstrates how music is personally and socially meaningful to children and what values they place on particular musical styles, songs, and functions. She explores musical behaviors in various contextual settings, and presents in notated narrative forms some of the "songs in their heads," balancing music learned with music "made," and intentional, purposeful music with natural music behavior.

Songs in Their Heads is a vivid and engaging book that bridges the disciplines of music education, ethnomusicology, and folklore. Designed as a text or supplemental text in a variety of music education method courses, as well as a reference for music specialists and classroom teachers, this book will also appeal to parents interested in understanding and enhancing music making in their own children.