Performing in an honor band is a wonderful adventure. While every student should get a chance to experience the joy of collaborating with a new group of musicians in this way, several barriers, including travel, can prevent them from doing so.
No Questions, Please: Managing Expectations Before Rehearsal
Every instant of rehearsal time is a precious commodity. You don’t need me to tell you this. However, if you regularly find yourself starting rehearsal holding a French horn that needs oiling, a $13 check, and a permission slip, then this article is for you.
How to Use SmartMusic for Free
SmartMusic is a suite of web-based music education tools that support efficient practice. At the heart of SmartMusic is a respect for the deliberate practice model and a recognition that students benefit from immediate feedback.
“I’m Quitting Band!” Why Students Leave, and What You Can Do
“I’m quitting band!” is a phrase no director wants to hear. In spite of all the great things happening in a band program, you will still hear it from time to time.
Music Ed Mentor Podcast #57: How to Burn Out of Teaching Music
Last July, as I was preparing to present to the NAfME Southwest Division Collegiate Summit, I decided to do a quick poll in one of the big music teacher groups.
Helping Parents and (Other Potential Volunteers) Say: “Sign Me Up!”
My parents have had the same hairstyles for over 50 years. They’re incredibly immune to cultural pressure to change and phenomenal at ignoring (or diplomatically refusing) public and personal requests.
Mix It Up: Take Fresh Look at Those Same Measures
Sometimes you reach a place in your ensemble rehearsal where woodshedding a few difficult measures is no longer fun – or effective.
Quick Rehearsal Tip: Creative Warmups for Jazz Ensembles
The jazz ensemble warmup is a great opportunity to teach some scales that are useful in jazz improvisation. Common modes like mixolydian or dorian will help get the players moving around their horns and will also give them some basic improvisational tools.
Featured Content: City of Steel by Doug Spata
Looking for a dramatic Grade 4 piece that can help motivate student development in 16th notes, chromatics, and shifting? Doug Spata’s City of Steel is a great choice.
Quick Rehearsal Tip: Learning Tricky Rhythms
When planning to teach a new selection that includes a tricky rhythm, I suggest teaching the rhythm separately before sight reading the piece.