Sibelius Educational Suite.

Sibelius Educational Suite, Sibelius USA, Inc. (1407 Oakland Blvd., Ste. 103, Walnut Creek, CA 94596), 2004. Starclass, $89; Notes, $69.95; Instruments, $119; Musition, $119; Aurelia, $119; Compass, $119. Elementary to advanced.

Sibelius Educational Suite is a bundle of six different titles conceived for a wide range of music education activities, from kindergarten to college level. All six titles work in both PC and Macintosh computers. The Educational Suite does not include the outstanding music notation program Sibelius. What it does include, however, is equally outstanding: two sets of resources for teachers (Notes and Starclass), an encyclopedia of instruments (Instruments) and three interactive programs for students to drill their theory skills (Musition), train their ears (Auralia) and learn the basics of music while composing (Compass).

Starclass is a teacher's resource kit containing step-by-step lesson plans for children ages 5 to 11. It covers all the basic areas of general music, including rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, texture, form and tone color. The graphics in the program can be printed easily in full size for classroom use, and the music examples can be played by clicking on them or from the included audio CD.

Notes contains twenty-five worksheets with music notation, rhythm, harmony and composition exercises, available both in the teacher's manual and on the CD-ROM. The students can solve most of the exercises either with paper and pencil or by using the Sibelius notation program; however, the teacher then must check and grade each worksheet the old-fashioned way. According to the publisher the exercises are intended for students as early as third grade, but its content and presentation suggest high school and collegiate students.

Instruments is an interactive encyclopedia that can be used to introduce musical instruments and ensembles, or as a useful instrumentation reference tool for collegiate students. It includes complete information for each instrument, as well as recorded music examples and listening assignments. It also features facts about different ensembles from the baroque orchestra to the jazz band, and a series of listening and multiple-choice quizzes.

Musition and Auralia, suitable for students ages 12 and up, provide numerous theory and ear-training drills and exercises. Although they do contain concise theory information in the form of help screens, the programs are not intended to be used as step-by-step courses, but rather as a toolbox of exercises in different areas. Musition features theory drills in the areas of intervals, chords, scales, harmony, rhythm, instruments and jazz chords, terms and symbols. The drills take many shapes: multiple choice, "written" (such as building chords or scales) and rhythmic ...