Beginning Improvisation for Orchestra
The goal of the National Standards for Music Education, as outlined by NAfME, is to “cultivate a students ability to carry out the three Artistic Processes of creating, performing, and responding.” At the beginning level of the “Creating” standard, students…
Composition in the Orchestra Classroom
I really enjoy incorporating student composition projects into my orchestra classroom for a number of reasons. Composition demonstrates mastery. If a student can create using a concept studied in class, they are demonstrating a higher level of thinking and application…
Assessment Ideas for the Instrumental Classroom
As we discussed in an earlier post, assessment is very helpful and informative and should help to guide our teaching. Assessment of our students can help us as educators determine students strengths and weaknesses and can hopefully lead us to…
Assessment in the Orchestra Classroom
I would venture to say that all teachers assess their students in some way or another. As music educators, I feel as if assessment comes hand in hand with what we do. We teach students a concept, skill, scale, fingering,…
6 Thoughts Leading Up To and On Audition Day
In a previous post I wrote about some ways to effectively prepare for an audition. In this post, I will share some thoughts on how to be comfortable and confident on audition day. Rest The night prior to an audition…
10 Tips for Preparing for Instrumental Auditions
Many ensembles and colleges require a performance audition in order to be admitted into their programs or groups. I have worked with many students in my school and through private study to help them prepare for auditions for youth orchestras,…
3rd Annual Summer Bass Study Camp
You know the story: your child works hard all year on their musical studies. When you hear them play at the final concert, you can’t believe how far they’ve come and how great they sound. Then summer comes.
Youth Orchestras and Ensemble Opportunities in New Jersey and Philadelphia
Below is a compiled list of youth orchestras, honors orchestras, jazz ensembles, and further playing opportunities for young bassists and string players in the New Jersey and Philadelphia metro area. Please let me know of any opportunities and ensembles I…
For Families: How to Support Your Child in Their Music Education
Music is a complex area of study. The language of music – notation, symbols, and so on – can be challenging to learn. The technical aspects of playing an instrument and the development of one’s ear are all life time…
Challenges in solo playing – Working on intonation and rhythm
I was recently working with a student on a solo piece they had begun practicing. The student was playing the piece well, but the technical demands of the piece and the rhythm and time feel were proving challenging. After the…