Building a Consistent Practice Routine: Tips for Parents and Students
One of the biggest challenges parents and teachers face when it comes to their children learning an instrument is helping them to practice consistently. While some students may be naturally self motivated and excited to practice, others who love music may…
Supporting Your Child’s Tone: Simple Tips For Better Sound
Are you new to playing a string instrument?Perhaps your child has just begun learning a string instrument.As you listen to them practice you might find yourself wondering how you can best support the development of their sound. Some issues with a…
Tips for Developing Strong Posture When Playing a String Instrument
Playing a string instrument is a physical activity and requires us to be mindful of our bodies when playing. Developing good posture helps students play better, avoid discomfort, and prevent potential injuries. As a teacher, I know that it…
Understanding the Basics of the String Family
Perhaps your child has started showing an interest in playing a string instrument. Maybe their school has sent home information highlighting the different string instruments they can study, but you’re not sure what each instrument is about or which one might…
Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month In Your Orchestra
In 2001 the Smithsonian Museum of American History created Jazz Appreciation month to celebrate the deep history of jazz during the month of April. While many of the most influential jazz musicians were woodwind and brass players, pianists, or rhythm section…
Help Your Students Practice Effectively With This Practice Tracker and Practice Strategies Guide
Practice. It’s the only path to improving in music and really anything in life. The challenge is learning how to do it well so that we are making progress rather than spinning our wheels. We as teachers spend countless hours helping our…
7 Pieces Students Love for Intermediate – Middle School Orchestra
It can be challenging choosing the right music for an ensemble. It’s a balancing act finding music that will suit a developing orchestra – music that will both develop their technique and musicianship as well as capture their interest and…
Be A Part Of The Orchestra – Helpful Tips for Recruiting For Your Orchestra
The goal for any music educator at the end of the year is celebrating our students and their many successes. We are also thinking about building our program for the following year and making sure students continue or feed into…
For Teachers: Fostering Student Leadership
Each year we have an award ceremony at my school where we nominate students who have demonstrated leadership qualities. I have to say that every year this award causes me to stop, think, and ask some questions. What does leadership look like? How…
Martin Luther King Jr. and Music of the Civil Rights Movement
We recently celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. In delving into his legacy and the history of the Civil Rights Movement, the impact and role of music is undeniable. Music was integral to the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King…