Listen Up! Podcasts for Music Educators

Music educators are often left to their own devices for professional development. Many districts don’t have the resources for special arts-centered PD, and general education seminar content sometimes doesn’t apply to arts classrooms.  That leaves music education conferences, which are great. But for those who need or want more regular help, ideas, or inspiration, try... Continue Reading →

Starting Fresh: Prioritizing What Matters in the Upcoming School Year

The start of a new school year means different things to different teachers. For some it’s a fresh start, full of possibilities. For others, it’s a rebuilding time after a downturn in the program. And for others, well, they’re still crying on the patio begging summer not to end.  No matter your current emotional state,... Continue Reading →

Percussion Preservation: Basic Care & Maintenance

Music rooms sometimes contain tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of percussion equipment. Maintenance can feel overwhelming, but it’s worth it to protect your school’s investment! The good news: basic care can be outsourced to students. At the end of each semester, your section leader and players can oversee most of these tasks.  First, dust... Continue Reading →

Arranging for Young Jazz Bands: Getting Started

Finding suitable arrangements for your beginning or young jazz ensemble can be tough, and many directors turn to writing their own arrangements. To help get you started, we’ve turned to Roy Phillippe, an expert arranger of jazz classics for young bands. ROY'S PROCESS If the music is new or unfamiliar to me, I study the... Continue Reading →

Easy Advocacy: Proactive Steps to Promote Your School Music Program

Advocacy can feel like one more thing on an overfilled plate, but communicating with our administrators and communities is key to healthy school music programs.  These easy tips create little or no extra work for you – they capitalize on what you’re already doing. Delegate tasks that don’t require your expertise Utilize your parent and... Continue Reading →

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