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3 More Tips for Fun Summer Practice
My recent article on 3 Summer Practice Tips for Young Musicians got a huge response along with some really great ideas from fellow teachers throughout the country and even internationally. I wanted to...
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What This Ninja Warrior Can Teach Musicians…
Kacy reaches the next ring after almost falling off… Have you allowed yourself to believe that you can’t accomplish something because you’re not tall enough, not strong enough, not smart enough, not as...
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New Saxophone Program for Musicians of All Levels
dlp 1 Series for Saxophone The folks at the Dallas School of Music and dlp Music Books are excited to announce a new program for saxophonists of all levels. “It’s an extension of our popular 1...
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Do Kids Quit Because Your Music Lessons are Boring? Here’s How to Change…
What do beginning musicians (of any age) want to do most when they decide to play an instrument? They want to play songs that they recognize and enjoy. Now, how do we get them there? As is true with...
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Want your students to practice more? Check this out!…
A few days ago, I stumbled upon a link that advertised a new App to help students be more engaged when practicing. I thought to myself, ” Hmmmm… this is interesting. How are they going to do that?” We...
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If you want your music students to read better, don’t do this!
READ MUSIC DURING THE FIRST MONTH (or 2 or 3 months)!!! What? How are they supposed to read better if they don’t start by reading? Is she crazy? (that’s a whole other topic for another discussion!)...
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Saxophone geek talk; my interview with Eugene Cantera from Dallas School of...
I had the pleasure of interviewing Eugene Cantera, teacher and saxophonist at the Dallas School of Music, for my radio show on the BAM Radio Network. We were able to record 2 interviews; you can listen...
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My Child Has (or is getting) Braces; Can She Still Play Her Band Instrument?
Oh, the dreaded B word! For a young teen, braces can be challenging, especially if they play a band instrument. Having personally experienced them for three years in my youth, and then another two as...
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A New Interactive App for Beginning Band Students
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a man who created a website and an app for beginning instrumentalists. I checked out his website, and thought this would be fun and engaging for beginning musicians....
View ArticleUse this one simple tip to keep your students excited about playing their...
How familiar is this story?… Young Alexa is so excited about learning the clarinet. Her grandmother played it when she was young, and she really loves her grandmother. She just started 4th grade, which...
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Should I start a student on Oboe even though I can’t play the instrument?...
You are an elementary or middle school band director and you are going through the annual struggle with getting even instrumentation for your band. Your sign-ups include: 15 flutes, 12 clarinets, 8...
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Adjudicating Festivals, Winter NYSSMA Conference 2014 and more; Catching up...
Are you curious about what goes into judging a Solo Festival? Do you wonder how adjudicating can benefit you and your students? Curious about this year’s NYSSMA Winter Conference? I had the pleasure of...
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The new National Arts Standards; how can teachers use them?
Why were the National Arts Standards updated? Are they part of Common Core? How do I implement them into my program? In the second part of my interview with Dr. David Gaines, President of NYSSMA (New...
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Five tips to prevent Holiday Concert Program Blues..
Every year, Band, Orchestra and Choir Directors face the dilemma of programming music for their Holiday Concert. Holiday Concerts used to be a joyous time, where students could perform their favorite...
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Music Teacher Motivation in the Age of Common Core; a Candid Conversation...
Are you feeling less motivated to teach because your enrollment numbers are dropping? Are fewer and fewer students attending lessons because they don’t want to miss (or are not allowed to miss) Common...
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Experience as Advocacy; My Interview with Dr. Peter Boonshaft, Part 2
The other day, I was at a rehearsal for a musical production for a private girls’ high school. It was a small pit orchestra: piano, drum-set, electric bass, violin and myself on tenor saxophone. This...
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Saxophone geek talk; my interview with Eugene Cantera from Dallas School of...
I had the pleasure of interviewing Eugene Cantera, teacher and saxophonist at the Dallas School of Music, for my radio show on the BAM Radio Network. We were able to record 2 interviews; you can listen...
View ArticleClik here to view.
My Child Has (or is getting) Braces; Can She Still Play Her Band Instrument?
Oh, the dreaded B word! For a young teen, braces can be challenging, especially if they play a band instrument. Having personally experienced them for three years in my youth, and then another two as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A New Interactive App for Beginning Band Students
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a man who created a website and an app for beginning instrumentalists. I checked out his website, and thought this would be fun and engaging for beginning musicians....
View ArticleUse this one simple tip to keep your students excited about playing their...
How familiar is this story?… Young Alexa is so excited about learning the clarinet. Her grandmother played it when she was young, and she really loves her grandmother. She just started 4th grade, which...
View Article
