The lecture recital was given July 18, 1977. The lecture began with the performance of the Three Preludes and a discussion of these final works in relation to the composer's last period of composition which included the Sonata for Piano. After the biographical foundation was laid, the Sonata for Piano was detailed concerning form and compositional techniques. All works were performed from memory. In addition to the lecture recital, three public recitals were performed. The first solo recital, performed on August 11, 1975, consisted of works by Schubert and Liszt-Busoni. The second recital, a chamber recital, performed March 29, 1976, consisted of solo and chamber works of Messiaen. The final solo recital, performed on August 1, 1977, consisted of works by Clementi, Satie, and Rubinstein. All four programs were recorded on magnetic tape and are filed, along with the written version of the lecture recital, as part of the dissertation.

The problem was to survey and collect ideas on the use of improvisation as a teaching and learning tool in elementary piano instruction and to prescribe activities and exercises for second through fourth grade piano classes. These areas were examined: philosophies and theories influencing traditional instruction, effects of creative keyboard activities on children's musical development, specific teaching strategies using improvisation, evaluative procedures, and suitability of materials for young children. Data collected from published and unpublished materials were classified, and presented concerning the feasibility of using keyboard improvisation with early elementary children. It was found that suitable improvisational exercises allow the child to organize his perceptions into the basic concepts of music. Recommendations for teachers and researchers were made.