January 5, 2020
The New Year traditionally provides an opportunity to reflect on the past, and resolve to make changes for a better future. Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions which typically consist of eating better or exercising more. Often, these well-meaning resolutions are quickly forgotten, but sometimes they turn into brand new habits. For musicians, the […]
If you’re the type to make New Year’s resolutions, you’ve probably already promised yourself you’d eat more veggies, drink more water, or hit the gym a few times a week. But, if you’re a music educator, why not make some resolutions for the classroom and your career? After all, a new year usually means a […]
January 1, 2020
Whether you teach elementary school or college students, working with a choir for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. Between laying out expectations, introducing music, and getting acquainted with singers, choral directors often justifiably feel overwhelmed the first day working with a new choir. New educators have it particularly rough because they haven’t […]
December 23, 2019
Get to know Karen Seamans, Music & Arts’ 2019 Music Educator of the Year Award recipient.
December 10, 2019
Music is one of the biggest reasons why the holiday season is so special. Whether it’s hearing a holiday song in a grocery store and being immediately transported to one’s childhood or attending an inspiring holiday concert, in many ways, music is a part of the glue that holds the holidays together. From getting in […]
The holidays tend to bring out a mixed bag of emotions in music educators. It’s a time of year when hard work and dedication transforms into a (hopefully) amazing concert, but preparing for a big performance also brings a myriad of stresses and things to do in a season that already stretches the bandwidth of […]
December 5, 2019
What are the various saxophone finishes, lacquers and materials available on the market? Saxophones are generally made of brass (though you’ll find some made of bronze or sterling silver) and can be found with many different finishes and lacquers. There are definitely some unique saxophone finishes out there! You might wonder if those different looks […]
December 4, 2019
What is a trombone? The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. The trombonist produces sound on the trombone when his or her vibrating lips (embouchure) cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate. Most trombones have a telescoping slide mechanism, which varies the length of the instrument, that the player moves […]
December 1, 2019
Most of the world has somewhat of an idea about how difficult teaching is, but middle school teachers are proven to have it rougher than most other educators. The feeling of just getting used to teaching a certain group of middle schoolers only to start over with an unfamiliar group of kids is unavoidable in […]
November 5, 2019
From marching bands to contemporary country, these songs celebrate everything that makes the United States so unique. In many ways, patriotic songs have shaped the identity of our country. They define what it means to be American. They enrich our culture and make us proud to wave the flag. Whether you’re making a playlist for […]
