With the current teaching situation, educators are using their computers to make videos for explaining assignments, demonstrations, and notes of encouragement.
Developing a Student Practice Plan for Remote Learning
Expect the unexpected. Teachers are resilient by nature. We deal with curveballs everyday in the classroom and somehow find a way to adapt, revise, and make fantastic lessons and experiences for students.
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.
Rethinking Your Warm Up: Never Tune Again
I have found over the years that I tune my band less and less. In the past, I would frequently ask a student to sound a pitch, perhaps on tuba or oboe, and have the rest of the ensemble play their own notes and compare.
Engaging Students after the Spring Concert – and Every Day
Are we playing today? What are we going to do for the rest of the year? Why do we still have class?
Getting the Most from Instrumental Method Books
Using a first-year method book is an obvious one. It helps you manage the almost impossible task of starting tiny little people, with tiny little fingers and huge minds full of curiosity, on their very first steps of musical discovery.
Selecting Repertoire for Your Ensemble
We, as directors of ensembles, are charged with the amazingly challenging task of predicting the future. What is the band/orchestra/chorus going to be like this year?
Help Music Students Discover Critical Thinking
Where We Live Today
We live in a time where the tide is turning. Instead of giving everyone a trophy, we’re beginning to teach students how best to deal with both the ups AND downs of life.