Description: 15 Relevant Educator Questions to Strengthen Student Enjoyment in Class" is an opportunity to highlight a teacher's internal dialogue to improve their teaching.  That is to say; some teachers go into their classrooms cold, void from thoughtful planning, it is essential to carefully give thought to our teaching strategies so that students get value and enjoyment from our instruction.  Read more...

Description: The marimba is a beautifully sounding mallet percussion instrument. Sadly many music educators do not possess the proper training and experience it takes to care and protect this magnificent instrument. Kevin Lucas' article, "How to Protect and Care for a Marimba" from the School Band and Orchestra magazine, October 2019, is the basis for this post. Kevin shares and recommends approaches on how to care and transport this fantastic instrument. This article will summarize and recognize the benefits of proper use of this instrument.  Read more...

Description: Musicians experience inherent instrument challenges. The flute is no exception. In "9 Common Flute Problems," we will identify what barricades musicians from perfecting their musical craft. These common problems include tonguing, air, control, fingering and other mechanical facets of the flute. Read more..

Description: In "6 Productivity Enhancing Activities for Teachers" is a reflection on the critical points in Elisa Janson Jones' article "Want Maximum Productivity and Progress? Do this" from the SBO September 2019 magazine. Jones wants us to reflect on our morning rituals. Studies show us how important the beginning of our day is. We often start meeting the demands of others rather than starting the day with activities that help us invest in ourselves, such as meditation, reading, recall, and writing a journal. As a result, it makes sense why so many people are stressed out and anxious. Read more...

Description: A huge factor in determining the success of your trumpet player's performing potential is subject to their choice in mouthpieces. Elements such as the rim, cup, throat, shank, and backbore influence what the mouthpiece is capable of doing. The mouthpiece construction of metal and plastic contributes to the overall quality of the trumpet sound. If you consider the possible combinations of how these elements may be combined, you have thousands of options. This choice in mouthpieces is essential in the advancement in trumpet player growth and should be decided based upon the demands of the player. Read more...

Description: The number one most important musical element in performing is quality tone production. In this post, we will discuss issues and tips for brass instrument tone production. Each instrumental family produces sound in different ways. It is helpful to review what is necessary to create a fantastic tone, whether it is to create the perfect buzz, manipulate how to breathe, or change the mouthpiece pressure. A characteristic sound instantly sets apart the impact a brass musician has on his or her audience and the overall musical experience. Read more...

Description:  As music educators, we deal with regular copyright issues. Understanding copyright in music education is an ethical practice and goal that we should strive for on a daily basis. These issues may relate to fair use, video recordings, audio recordings, and performances regarding printed music. With the invention of new music distribution and processing services so has come new challenges with music education and business industries. Read more...

Description: Have you ever considered hosting a summer symposium? Do you have camp experience? Does your school have an active and supportive parental team? Are there facility and financial resources available to you over the summer? All of these are important to consider when crafting a plan to host a summer symposium. Read more...

Description: Many band directors extend their employment beyond the classroom to the private studio. Often in a private studio, you are teaching all levels of musician. In this article, we will identify a recommended 30-minute first-time trumpet lesson for a beginner. Teaching components include creating student rapport, dealing with cases, identifying the parts of a trumpet, learning the trumpet embouchure, and developing quality trumpet tone. Read more...

Description: Frequent and everyday music instrument repairs often horrify many young music directors. Consequently, this is because many educators have inadequate skills to address instrument repair. Every day a child doesn’t have an instrument in hand weakens the music program the educator is trying to develop. For this reason, this article suggests several quick fixes, for minor repairs, that every band director can manage instead of using music instrument stores. Read more...

Description: Today we are going to conduct an inquiry into the habits of a significant band director. What makes a band director significant? What is needed to become significant? We will discuss all this, and more, as we inquire into the subject matter. Scott Rush, a presenter at the 2017 Midwest Clinic, is the respected authority this article is based on. Not only is Mr. Rush, a professional music educator but also a highly regarded author of several publications. Read more... 

Description: I love the saxophone family because it is such a fun group of instruments. As a result, there are various saxophone reeds that suit different performance and practice scenarios. Saxophones perform in orchestras (on a limited basis), concert, jazz, polka, jazz combos, ska, punk and rock, and roll bands. As you can see saxophones perform in all sorts of groups. Read more...

Description: One of the first routines of the day is the observation of our students entering the music rooms. Having a student procedure for entering the classroom can improve the tone of instruction for the remainder of the class. The standard to which you reinforce this simple procedure can have a rippling effect and define your program. Read more...

Description: The key to any successful music program is to have students. In turn, a successful recruitment campaign is vital to building an active beginning music program. A recruitment informational meeting is essential. For a music director to have a successful music producing school, he or she must use effective recruitment strategies and be a great salesperson as well as a musician. Attained goals are met as a result of quality recruitment preparation. Read more ...

Description: Origins Story, Season 2, Ep. 6, is about the journey of the author Bill Stevens. He unveils the life experiences that led him from loathing music to loving his life as a music educator.  Read more..

Description: How can the following 17 rehearsal techniques using a pencil help you become a better musician? First, think about how can you improve. Are you a seasoned musician that performs for a living? Or perhaps you are a beginning music student in your school? Regardless of where your musical career is, the power of the pencil markings has a magical effect on improving your playing ability.  Read more...

Description: Best Practices in the Classroom- What does the saying "best practices" instruction and teaching mean for an educator? Is it what works well for you or the educational community? Maybe they are just textbook answers. I think most people agree that the phrase "best practices" is not a set of actions but rather a series of steps taken by the teacher. This article will provide educators with a list of teaching strategies with a best practices focus. Read more...

Description: Everyone seems to have their own reasons for loving music. Today in "18 Reasons Students Love Being in a School Instrumental Music Program," we will identify some of those great reasons! Read more...

Description: Yikes! I need a music sub tomorrow. That is the scenario that many of us run into when unexpected events in life occur for us. In an ideal world, we would be in our classrooms rehearsing, on stage performing or creating lasting relationships with our students. Sometimes family circumstances pull us away from our students. Other times professional development, training, or, school activities pull us from our classrooms. Despite these reasons, they all require us to scramble to try to find a music substitute. Read more...

Description: Why do band directors say better bands with mouthpiece buzzing perform at higher levels? We will examine this habit-based wisdom. One expert, Mr. Michael Grose of the University of Oregon, presented on this subject at the 2017 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In Mr. Grose's presentation, he explains the importance of mouthpiece buzzing in the music education environment. By the end of this podcast, we should have a better understanding of why this practice should be incorporated into every band director's warmup rehearsal time. Read more...