This is an ideal text for teachers who teach both elementary and middle school general music classes or methods courses, offering unique insights that bridge the traditional gap. This resource discusses the important physical, psychological, cognitive, and social developmental changes that occur in students in grades 4-8 and the implications of these changes for instruction in a variety of school organizational formats. Offering music educators both broad and detailed guidelines to fit the needs of this challenging age group, it provides a musicianship approach that regards general musical classes for grades 4-8 as an apprenticeship for lifelong musical involvement. This model focuses on musical learning and skills that have real-life applications and lifelong consequences. It treats classes as musicianship laboratories in which fundamental musicianship skills are explored and developed in conjunction with holistic musical actions involving composing, performing, singing, and listening. Appendices provide a model curriculum, resources, and tips for using MIDI-based instruction and software.