For many of us, our first years of teaching were filled with a mixture of both excitement and a sense of being overwhelmed.
Classroom and Rehearsal Tips for Choral and Instrumental Programs
Having enjoyed more than thirty years in choral classrooms, I’ve had lots of experience with what works, and what doesn’t.
Back to School and Music: It’s Like Riding a Bike!
Returning to regular ensemble life in the back-to-school season is like riding a bicycle again after a long hiatus. There’s a transition, but it’s way easier than starting from scratch.
The Singer’s Spark: Motivating the Whole Student
As the school year begins we all have plans of grandeur. Who among us hasn’t thought, “This is the year my ensemble will get superior ratings,” or perhaps, “This year, everything will come together just in time for the musical!” Imagine taking all these goals – and your students – on a metaphorical school bus ride.
The String Player’s Reboot
The first week of any school year is always so exciting! It is wonderful to see your new and returning students.
How Band Directors Can Turn Less into More
Over the years I have taught in many different places and in many different types of situations, both at the high school and university levels.
T.R.I.A.D. – Using a Simple Acronym to Help Structure your Rehearsals
For inexperienced teachers (and often more experienced ones, too), choosing which elements to fix in a rehearsal can be difficult.
Modeling Strategies for Effective and Efficient Teaching
The Chinese proverb pictured above clearly illustrates that telling isn’t teaching. While engaging students through demonstration is far more effective than explaining, music teachers often do just the opposite, particularly in ensemble-based classes.
Tips For Your Jazz Band Guitarist
With very little background in playing guitar, and no background in jazz guitar pedagogy, many band directors find themselves at a loss on how to help their jazz band guitarist.
Instrumental Teachers in General Music: Teaching Outside Your Comfort Zone?
Let’s set the stage: you have an instrumental performance degree and a teaching degree in band or orchestra. After graduation, you find yourself working as a long-term substitute teaching band or orchestra.