After more than two decades of teaching music in the classroom, I decided to write this book to provide students with a broad, yet simple picture of music around the world. This book has also been written to give the teachers a useful text and to provide the student with one textbook that can be used by the student with some research on his/her part and with a little guidance from the teacher -one book that will provide some general information on a diversity of musical topics.
Many of our musicians are unable to write their own compositions, or read the music written by others. It is hoped this book will encourage more students to pursue their musical education with greater interest and diligence than has perhaps been the case in the past.

L. A. Jean-Baptiste