December 2, 2016
Love it or hate it, the holiday season is here. Thanksgiving just passed, and while you may still be sleepy from all the tryptophan, it’s time to start thinking about your school or music conservatory’s winter recital. As a music educator, this time of year can be very exciting and very intimidating- especially if you’ve […]
November 30, 2016
What do New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Thanksgiving Day in New York, and summer days at Disneyland all have in common? Parades! While millions of people around the country have the day off from work or school, thousands of band members are working harder than ever before. If asked, most marching band members admit that […]
November 16, 2016
Hello fellow music educators! My name is Ariana Bina and I teach violin/viola and piano lessons in Austin, Texas. In this article I want to address an issue that many of you have probably encountered before–student boredom. All too often, young or beginner musicians tend to get uninterested and easily distracted. So, I am excited to […]
November 14, 2016
Whether you’re taking over a choir from a previous director or building one from the ground up, growing and maintaining a successful choir can be a difficult task. Some directors have a hard time convincing people to join the choir, while others have trouble convincing members to stay beyond the first or second rehearsal. In […]
November 12, 2016
As a music educator, keeping up with the latest industry trends and technology can be difficult. Sure, you can join music organizations, visit message boards, and communicate with like-minded individuals at monthly meet-ups, but who has the time for all that? What if you want to gain valuable knowledge and be exposed to new products, […]
November 8, 2016
As has been discussed in part one of this series, there are many resources available to musicians that have a smartphone or a tablet. There are so many apps available to help musicians, regardless of their skill level, instrument, or style of play. If you’re looking for help learning, practicing, recording, or preparing for a musical […]
November 6, 2016
As a music educator, keeping your students entertained throughout the year can be difficult, especially during the holiday season or in the days following a big performance. Sure, you can give your students a free period or pop in a Disney movie, but why not plan something that’s fun and educational, instead? From classroom games […]
November 4, 2016
Sometimes we forget just how much work music educators across the country put in to keep music programs alive. But, it’s programs like our annual Music Educator of the Year award that quickly remind us of the amazing impact educators have on students and their communities. We received applications from all across the country for […]
November 2, 2016
You’ve been teaching Band for a while, and can’t seem to figure out why your saxophone students continually squeak when they articulate. Why is it so difficult for my saxophone students to play a “D” on Alto or a “G” on tenor cleanly? You also notice that your saxophone students play so loud and can’t […]
October 27, 2016
Whether you’re taking over a choir from a previous director or building one from the ground up, growing and maintaining a successful choir can be difficult. Some choir directors have a hard time convincing people to sign up, while others have trouble convincing members to stick around beyond the first or second rehearsal. Choirs that […]
