ABSTRACT
Much scholarship is dedicated to the assumption that children possess a distinct musical culture, which is transmitted orally, and exists most obviously on the playground. We aim to discuss the musical content of 55 collected children’s songs, with attention to elements of tessitura, range, rhythm and form. Issues of text, thematic content, gender, social structure, and movement will be examined in relation to these musical elements. As well, we will address curricular implications of these songs, and the importance of connecting children’s musical cultures with classroom culture.
