August 14, 2024
Imagine you’re backstage, minutes before the curtain rises on your school’s biggest concert of the year. Amid the frenzied last-minute preparations, your clarinet player walks up to you in a near panic and utters the four words every music educator dreads most: “My instrument isn’t working.” You’ve probably been through similar situations before and know […]
August 9, 2024
It’s a question that confronts every parent of a band or orchestra student: Is it better to rent or buy an instrument? More questions follow: Will your child stick with it for a while? Will they want to switch instruments at some point? Will you need to start with a smaller instrument and upgrade as […]
July 25, 2024
The former principal trumpeter for the New Jersey Symphony and current Music & Arts instructor talks foundational techniques, embouchure problems, practice routines and that time Leonard Bernstein thanked him personally. Equally warm and wise, the veteran trumpeter Lawrence Clemens — Larry, to his friends and students — is the kind of educator who always has […]
July 23, 2024
Double-reed instruments are some of the most unique members of the woodwinds family. Unlike the clarinet and saxophone, which utilize a single reed mounted on a mouthpiece, double-reed instruments feature—you guessed it—two reeds vibrating against each other to create an unmistakable sound. The most popular double-reed instruments are the oboe and bassoon, but the category […]
June 27, 2024
Famously, the late Buddy Rich didn’t push practice. The hot-tempered genius of jazz drumming, who began his career as a child prodigy, liked to say he learned his craft by performing. Rich also trash-talked rock drummers, though he did tackle arrangements of rock songs in his popular big bands. Which begs the question: What would […]
June 25, 2024
What were you doing when you were 10? For the clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss, it was time to start studying music at the university level. So he packed his bags and moved thousands of miles away from his home in the U.K., enrolling in the Artist Diploma program at Indiana University. “It was the most […]
June 17, 2024
Summer is here at last, and it promises to be an especially thrilling season for guitarists and lovers of all things rock ’n’ roll. Music & Arts has partnered with Gibson guitars and D’Addario accessories to kick off Rock Road Show 2024—a new event series that will inspire musicians of all skill levels. At six […]
June 7, 2024
So your kiddo came to you and said that their musical heart beats to the rhythm of a drum kit—congrats! Learning the drums is a fun, fulfilling endeavor that opens up a wide world of music and instruments to explore. It also comes with a learning curve—especially if you and your child are new to […]
May 20, 2024
To celebrate National Band Directors’ Day, our school services team is shining a spotlight on several band directors who are recognized for their exceptional dedication and support in education. From fostering a love for music in students to overcoming challenges, these stories capture the essence of what makes educators truly remarkable. Seth Riehl Anna S. […]
April 18, 2024
**Visit musicarts.com/BandRoomSweeps to learn more about the program! Celebrating the Sweepstakes Winners! The Sweepstakes: A New Opportunity Music & Arts has recently partnered with Pearl and Adams, offering band directors across the country an exciting sweepstakes opportunity. This collaboration presents Middle/Junior and High School music educators with an unforgettable prize: One kit valued at $50,000 […]
