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In the heat of teaching beginning band students, it is easy to overlook developmentally subtle details. Making sure your clarinets have and maintain a proper embouchure is worth the time and effort you invest. Today we are going to review and reinforce the foundational practice for developing the ideal clarinet embouchure. SHOW NOTES The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Sign-up for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

The Timpani is an exciting percussion instrument because it can influence the rhythmic ideas of a musical piece as well as contribute to the harmonic and melodic development of it. The drum can play a series of different pitches and today we are going to explore how it is used in the performance setting as we learn about the basics of the Timpani. Additional credit and thanks goes to our friends at MusicProfessor for providing this valuable resource as a source of content. MusicProfessor provides several professional music education self-help courses on platforms such as Udemy.com. Take a look at the educational and supplemental material available to you today! SHOW NOTES The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

In today's episode we will explore all the fascinating resources available to music educators from libraries, archives and museums.  Today's special guest is Nicky Stevens. Nicky Stevens (Interview) Nicky Stevens is an archivist at the Georgia Historical Society (GHS). Prior to joining GHS, she worked as an archivist in Atlanta where she was responsible for corporate, educational, and entertainment heritage collections.  Before working in archives, Nicky was a reference librarian at a public library in Florida.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film with a minor in History and has a masters degree in Library and Information Science with a focus in Archival Studies.  When she is not spending her time in libraries and archives, Nicky enjoys reading, writing, immersing herself in top notch television programs and film, and discovering new and  interesting places. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

The late summer brings a magical time of year when you hear the immortal phrase, "Welcome to Band Camp!" For many music educators and teens this is a special time of year when there is promise of competition, skill development and accomplishment. For some programs, band camp is a time to prepare for parades and competitions. For others this is a time to prepare for spirited football game performances and a chance to get your groove on. Regardless, this time of year is a chance to showcase excellence in music making and today we will discuss "Basic Scoring Techniques for the Marching Band." Show Notes... The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

A new school year brings a sense of excitement, promise and anticipation. As a result, this special time also brings added anxiety for students, parents, and teachers. Fortunately, schools use the “new student orientation” as a tool to help clear up confusion and avoid any unnecessary panic. In today’s post we are recommending some helpful “Tips for Preparing for a New Student Orientation.” Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Presenting at a Conference can be scary yet rewarding venture. Today we interviewed Ms. Anola Douglas as she explained her experience presenting at a conference for the first time during CoVid.  Ms. Anola Douglas  Grace E. Metz Middle School Choir Director Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

All educators are tasked with communicating with parents at one point or another. Being in sync with your workflow and knowing the appropriate reasons for contacting parents helps the effectiveness of helping foster a child’s development.   Often, we only contact parents if there is some sort of behavior problem and only if it is necessary. However, studies show that conveying “good news” to parents is just as important. Consequently, teachers cannot rely on parents contacting them. The benefits of regular communication will pay off ten-fold when we, as educators, take the extra time to keep parents involved and informed.   Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Have you ever struggled with practicing your instrument? Do you need tips for practicing your instrument? Worry not because today we will discuss some strategies that you maybe overlooking. It is important to understand that one person’s ideal practice session may look quite different from another. Depending on your goals, energy, structure, time allotment, and focus, these elements will determine if you have a satisfying practice session or not.  Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

The Snare Drum is one of the primary and cornerstone percussion instruments in a band. Today we are going to reintroduce and highlight the parts and key aspects of Snare Drum fundamentals. Note, by not having a physical drum in front of you, you will need to take a moment to envision and reflect as though you have one at your fingertips.  However, with your ingenuity it will be easy to make this adjustment! Let’s get started. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Have you ever worked your tail off during a rehearsal and still feel like so much more could have been accomplished? Perhaps it was right after lunch and student engagement was sub-par even with your most in-tune students. Today we are going to discuss “7 Variations on the Traditional Rehearsal Method.” The insights are provided by Ms. Shelly Jagow from her book “Teaching Instrumental Music: Developing the Complete Band Program.” Despite the title of this book, several of these recommended rehearsal methods can and should be used in all music ensembles. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Today’s Episode reflects on Ms. Sally Utley’s article “Strategies to Reach Students Who Don’t Care" from The Music Crew Blog. Ms. Utley begins by outlining the frustration that she and many other educators encounter when they prepare for an exciting and well-planned out lesson just to have students meet them with disinterest and negative attitudes.  What kind of kind of experience is this? Certainly not one music teachers want to repeat. Learn more... Sally Utley The Music Crew Blog - https://themusiccrew.com/ Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Today's topic discusses a variety of jazz articulations and articulation rules. The majority of this book is based on on Mats Holmquist's book, "The General Method: A New Methodology for a Tighter Big Band." I highly recommend this book and suggest you check it out!   The General Method A New Methodology for a Tighter Big Band By Mats Holmquist Jamey Aebersold Jazz  Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

This episode describes what Solfege is and who should use it. All Musicians. The discussion continues and includes: Where Solfege originated from The purpose of Solfege The benefits of Solfege Personal experience as an instrumental teacher Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Every degreed music educator has some experience playing a piano. Most students of music have either taken some sort of group piano course or have taken independent private lessons. But what happens after your coursework in college? Does the piano get incorporated into your teaching or does it collect dust and sit in a corner of your music room? In this summarization and discussion we are going to learn more about the "Key Elements of Piano Care" from Dr. Steve Lindeman (musicianstoolkit.com.) Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Today's episode of The Music Educator Podcast is about Embouchure Dystonia. The show covers: What is Embouchure Dystonia Personal Experience Symptoms Mental Health Dos and Don'ts Block Buzzing Literature on the Topic Embouchure Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Guide for Overcoming Embouchure Overuse Syndrome and Traumatic Injuries in Brass Players By Lucinda Lewis Oscar's House Press Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Being able to duplicate the process of  making a substitute binder will allow you to deliver on your organizational teacher aspirations.  Have you ever been caught off-guard with school life and you find yourself in a surprise bind? All of a sudden you have to take a few days off of work due to a broken down car or the kids have come down with a case of the chicken pox. Or even worse you get an unexpected illness and there is a death in the family. All of these scenarios would have panned out better if there had already been a plan in place in the event you had to take time off of work.  Simply put, the better organized you are the better outcome you can expect from your substitute and students. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

In the this episode of The Music Educator Podcast we are going to explore the fascinating power and nuance of the band director's podium personality. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

The rhythm section is the heart and soul of any school's jazz band. The larger style jazz bands have evolved as a result of the big band movement in modern jazz. In essence, the rhythm section has a true function. They are responsible for contributing to the melodic and harmonic functions as well as tempo and direction. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Choosing a method book can be an arduous task for many young band directors. There are several strategic elements that you will need included in your method book of choice. More importantly, the selection process will require you, as the music educator, to prioritize what is important for your students to learn.   Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!

Surviving distance learning with my choir is a goal of any choral director. There will be so much uncertainty and until school systems decide how to proceed during the COVID-19 crisis. Many of us will remain on edge. This is a time that is unique to everyone. No single one person on this planet has experienced conditions quite like the ones associated with COVID-19. Show Notes The Music Educator Podcast Newsletter Signup for weekly episode notifications, special offers and some really cool educator resources! SIGN-UP NOW!