October 17, 2025
Battle Band: Eric Alexander & Vincent Herring in Conversation
Two of jazz’s premier saxophonists on 20 years of friendly competition, the secrets of impromptu arranging, and why Hank Mobley wrote remarkable tunes.
Category: Articles
August 18, 2025
Meet the Winners: Upgrade Your Band Room Sweepstakes
How $50,000 in new instruments from Pearl, Adams and Belsona elevated the band program at Martin Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
August 6, 2025
Music & Arts Alum: Anthony Pirog
One of the finest guitarists of his generation reflects on his formative years as a student at Music & Arts. “That’s where my first real musical education began,” says Pirog, who plays with Fugazi’s rhythm section in the Messthetics.
April 16, 2025
Fender vs. Gibson: How Scale Length & String Gauge Affect Playability
Music & Arts’ resident guitar guru, Alan Day, shares a pro tip that will help beginning electric guitarists choose the perfect set of strings based on scale length.
April 3, 2025
Music & Artists: Brian Balmages
The renowned composer — who helms new scores and initiatives for Alfred and MakeMusic Publications — talks about what goes into crafting great music for students and reflects on the most poignant moments of his career.
Renting Instruments for School Band or Orchestra: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn the best way to rent a musical instrument for your child’s school music or band program. Explore rental options and how to choose an instrument.
March 19, 2025
Why Early Recruitment for Band & Orchestra Is Essential
Want to lead an award-winning band and orchestra program while also maintaining your sanity? Stay on top of your recruitment strategies and instrument rentals.
March 14, 2025
Tales From the Repair Shop: Guitars & More
Arizona-based master technician Malinda Stratton shares a few of her recent repair adventures — including a Gibson L-50 restoration and an extra-tricky guitarrón fix.
March 7, 2025
Clarinet Masters: Essential Listening Guide for Students
Anat Cohen and Paquito D’Rivera, two of the world’s top jazz clarinetists, reflect on the recordings that transformed their musical journeys — and have the power to transform yours as well.
February 20, 2025
Music & Artists: CJ Camerieri
The brass luminary and yMusic co-founder on discovering chamber music, lessons learned from Paul Simon and Bon Iver, using the DigiTech Whammy pedal with brass, and much more.