James Mursell

In this way their understanding of melody, rhythm and dynamics deepens gradually as an outgrowth of meaningful music-making, rather than drill and practice.

At the end of each such activity, when students sing the song through once more, it means more to them that it did prior to their "analysis" of it.

Mursell conceived of his pedagogical role as building “a bridge between our psychological knowledge and the practical teaching job,”[1] by applying six principles: context, focus, social relationships, individuality, an ordered sequence and appropriate evaluation.

In addition, his seminal book Music in American Schools was published in 1943, during World War II.

[2] (with Roy E. Freeburg, Beatrice Landeck, Harriet Nordholm, Gladys Tipton and Jack M. Watson): (with H.B.Barnett, Roy E. Freeburg, Beatrice Landeck, Harriet Nordholm, Gladys Tipton, Jack M. Watson and Christine Wilcosz):