On the heels of an unprecedented school year that forced educators to improvise teaching music through virtual means, many are left wondering what the new normal for music education will look like going forward.
What Is the “Current” State of Your Classroom? Amping Up Student Engagement
The year was 1880. Thomas Edison and his engineers had just invented the light bulb, and planned to put them in every home with power from Edison’s direct current power plants.
Don’t Use Don’t: How a Two-Letter Word Can Transform the Way You Teach
It’s the first day of your junior year. Your excitement is overwhelming. You speed out the door, down the hall, and into the band room ready to see your friends whom you have such a special bond with.
Mirror, Mirror: A Look at Reflective Practices for Music Teachers
What is reflective practice? James Stronge, in Qualities of Effective Teachers (2007), describes reflective practice as “a careful review of and thoughtfulness about one’s own teaching practice.”
Who has time for that?Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal Tip: What to Listen To?
When I work with jazz ensembles on style and phrasing, I strongly emphasize that everyone needs to know what instruments they are listening to – and why.
Taking the Pain Out of Sight Reading
True music literacy extends beyond symbol recognition to actually being able to internally conceptualize the sounds that the symbols represent.
Rehearsal Tip: Make Repetition Meaningful
Let’s face it: sometimes your students just need to repeat difficult sections over and over and over again. Unfortunately, doing it the same way every time has some issues:
It gets boring really quickly It may not be the way every student learns best It makes your students not believe you when you say, “Last Time!” And #3 opens you up for sarcasm and hilarious music teacher jokesTo help, here are some ways to make repeating the same line or phrase fun and engaging for every student.
Performing The Stars and Stripes Forever
Composed on Christmas Day, 1896 by John Philip Sousa, The Stars and Stripes Forever quickly became one of the most famous marches both in the United States and abroad.
The Assessment Road Trip: Creating an Assessment Plan for your Ensemble
Assessment in the ensemble room can be a daunting task. The process can lead to a lot of moans and groans (from students and teachers).
10 Easy Ear-Training Exercises for Choir
As a former high school choir director, I recognize both the challenges and rewards of teaching aural skills within the context of large group rehearsals.