Journal of Research in Music Education

Journal of Research in Music Education
Title	Journal of Research in Music Education
Discipline	Music
Former names	Bulletin of the Music Supervisors National Conference
Abbreviation	J. Res. Music Educ.
Publisher	MENC: The National Association for Music Education
Country	United States
Frequency	Quarterly
History	1953–present

Journal of Research in Music Education is a peer-reviewed quarterly periodical focusing on empirical and theoretical studies in music pedagogy, curriculum, cognition, and performance practice. The journal publishes original research that intersects with applied settings and scholarly inquiry, serving readers affiliated with conservatories, universities, school districts, and research institutes. Contributors and readers include faculty from Juilliard School, researchers at Harvard University, practitioners in Los Angeles Unified School District, and scholars associated with organizations such as American Educational Research Association, International Society for Music Education, and Society for Music Teacher Education.

History

The journal traces its origins to mid-20th-century debates among leaders of the Music Supervisors National Conference and prominent figures from institutions like Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and Curtis Institute of Music. Throughout the Cold War era, scholars from Columbia University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign published studies that shaped curricular reforms mirrored in state-level agencies such as the New York State Education Department and California Department of Education. Influential contributors included faculty associated with Boston Conservatory, Peabody Institute, and Northwestern University, while editorial stewardship often involved members of MENC: The National Association for Music Education and visiting scholars from Royal College of Music and University of Cambridge. During the late 20th century, methodological shifts influenced by researchers at Stanford University, University of Oslo, and University of Toronto expanded the journal's scope to include cognitive and ethnomusicological perspectives.

Scope and Focus

The journal emphasizes empirical investigations and theoretical analyses relevant to classroom practice, ensemble pedagogy, assessment, and music cognition. Topics frequently engage research traditions represented by scholars at University of London, University of Melbourne, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford, and intersect with policy discussions involving National Endowment for the Arts, UNESCO, and regional arts councils. Submissions address issues from early childhood programs run by organizations like Carnegie Hall to higher education curricula at institutions such as Yale School of Music and Royal Academy of Music. Cross-disciplinary work involving collaborators from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and University of Chicago is also within scope.

Editorial Board and Publication Process

The editorial board comprises scholars and practitioners with appointments at institutions including Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Washington, and international partners from University of Amsterdam and University of Cape Town. Peer review follows protocols aligned with standards advocated by Committee on Publication Ethics and professional associations such as American Psychological Association when psychological measures are used. Manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening, double-blind peer review by reviewers from universities like Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and conservatories such as Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, followed by revisions and final decision by the editor-in-chief. The journal has collaborated with publishing services connected to Sage Publications and distribution networks reaching libraries cataloged in systems like OCLC.

Abstracting and Indexing

The journal is indexed in major bibliographic and citation databases used by researchers at Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and international centers including National Library of Medicine and British Library. Abstracting coverage includes listings in databases maintained by EBSCO, ProQuest, and aggregators used by library consortia such as Orbis Cascade Alliance. Citation tracking and indexing intersect with platforms utilized by scholars at University of Michigan and Cornell University for impact analysis.

Impact and Reception

Scholarly reception has linked the journal's influence to pedagogical shifts documented at institutions like Indiana University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Boston University. Citation analyses by researchers at University of Illinois and Duke University have compared its impact with other outlets associated with International Journal of Music Education and publications from Oxford University Press. The journal's articles inform professional development offered by organizations such as American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and conservatory training in cities like New York City, Chicago, and London.

Notable Articles and Contributions

Noteworthy contributions include empirical studies on ensemble rehearsal strategies influenced by work from scholars at Royal Northern College of Music and cognitive investigations rooted in labs at University of California, San Diego and MIT. Articles addressing curriculum frameworks have drawn on comparative studies involving Finland, Japan, and South Africa, with implications for programs at Indiana University and Eastman School of Music. Longitudinal investigations featured in the journal have involved collaborators from University of Toronto, Monash University, and University of Sydney and have been cited in policy documents by National Association for Music Education and international bodies such as UNESCO.

Category:Music journals Category:Academic journals established in 1953