Whether you’re a veteran educator or just beginning your career, there are many music teacher resources available to help you excel. Below we’ve compiled some of our favorites to make them easy for everyone to find.

These resources include blogs to follow, newsletters to read, podcasts to listen to, and much more. If a valued resource is not listed, please let us know on Twitter or on Facebook.

Blogs

  • SmartMusic: smartmusic-com.go-vip.net//blog
    The SmartMusic Blog focuses on giving ensemble directors clear, actionable advice. Articles are written by educators around the country.
  • NAfME: www.nafme.org/category/news/music-in-a-minuet
    The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) advocates for music education at every level. Educators who are longtime members write short articles on everything from warm-ups to job searches to fundraising on the “Music In A Minuet” blog.
  • Elisa Jones: MusicEdMentor.com
    Elisa’s great blog is about improving the daily professional life of music teachers. She offers tips on grant writing, advocacy, and avoiding burnout.
  • Band Directors Talk Shop: banddirectorstalkshop.com/
    Band-focused, often instrument-specific advice.
  • We Are Teachers: www.weareteachers.com
    General education articles, not music-specific. Topics include curriculum planning, classroom management, and handling unusual situations.
  • Orchestra Classroom: orchestraclassroom.com/blog.php
    Angela Harman takes a deep dive into everything strings — bowing, tuning, and more.
  • On and Off the Podium: www.onandoffthepodium.com/blog
    Wendy Higdon is an experienced middle school band director who has written for several of the blogs on this list. Her best stuff is here on her own blog, including the best recruitment checklist ever.
  • Be Part of the Music: www.bepartofthemusic.org/
    Everything (we mean everything) you need to know about recruitment and, more importantly, retention. Grow your program with these resources!
  • Midnight Music: midnightmusic.com.au/blog/
    Katie Wardrobe focuses on music education technology with the clear tips and articles on her blog.

Technology

  • TI:ME: ti-me.org
    The Technology Institute for Music Educators is a non-profit focused on helping music teachers get and use technology in their classrooms.
  • Noteflight: www.noteflight.com/login
    Free, simple web-based music notation software – with lesson plans!
  • SmartMusic: smartmusic-com.go-vip.net/
    A web-based music education platform that connects teachers and students.
  • MusicFirst: www.musicfirst.com
    An entire package of classroom tools for composition, practice, and more.
  • Ableton: www.ableton.com/en/shop/education
    Not just for budding DJs, Ableton gets students practicing, creating, and making music.
  • Technology in Music Education: techinmusiced.wordpress.com/
    Chris Russell’s blog includes many product reviews. Also, ukeleles!
  • MusTech.net: mustech.net
    Joseph Pisano and Amy Burns, two technology all-stars, write about music education tech here.
  • Midnight Music: midnightmusic.com.au/start-here
    If her blog and podcast don’t get you using technology more efficiently, Katie Wardrobe also offers workshops and a community page.

Social Media Groups

Materials and Lesson Plans

Podcasts

  • MusEdCast: www.amusedcast.org
    A long-form podcast (some episodes are more than an hour long) with tips for music educators of all levels.
  • After Sectionals: aftersectionals.com
    The band directors at Stiles Middle School in Leander, TX, have nothing but real talk about the challenges and triumphs of being a music educator.
  • Music Tech Teacher Podcast: midnightmusic.com.au/music-tech-teacher-podcast/
    The most technology-focused podcast on this list, with occasional episodes focused on general tips.

Organizations

  • NAfME: www.nafme.org
    You should belong to NAfME, the premiere music education advocacy group in the United States.
  • ASTA: www.astaweb.com
    The American String Teachers Association provides support, industry discounts, and an annual conference for string teachers in the United States.
  • MEAs – various
    Your state probably has a Music Educators Association. These groups are likely your first, best source of local support. Get involved!
  • TI:ME: ti-me.org
    The Technology Institute for Music Educators is a non-profit focused on helping music teachers get and use technology in their classrooms.

Professional Development

  • NAfME: www.nafme.org/my-classroom/professional-development
    NAfME’s professional development resources are recognized for official credit in most states.
  • TI:ME: ti-me.org/index.php/courses.html
    TI:ME’s professional development courses teach you how to better implement technology in your classroom while also offering credit toward most state PD requirements.
  • State MEA conferences
    Attending your state’s MEA conference sessions will likely earn credits toward any professional development requirements your state board of education may impose. Check ahead of time!