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A thorny problem faced by many middle school band directors is teaching a large ensemble of students who have a wide range of rhythm-reading abilities and who have studied music […]

As choir directors, we all know that there's never enough time in a rehearsal and never enough rehearsals before our next performance to accomplish what we want. So we must […]

During my thirteen years of teaching, I've taught K-6 general music in seven different schools and in two school districts. I've had my own music classroom, and I've gone room […]

The challenge for educators today is to overcome this barrage of media and technology and find innovative ways to help students learn. But, how can teachers compete for student attention […]

Imagine your band students being able to identify the melody of a piece as it jumps among sections after playing it just a few times. How about recognizing harmonic modulation, […]

From time to time, directors choose to program certain works for their ensembles because they fit a unit of study or a specific curriculum need. Unfortunately, published editions that are […]

At music festivals and workshops, the interaction between clinician and performer can be a powerful one. If the clinician provides an interesting, thoughtful, clear, and engaging experience, the performers walk […]

One of the greatest concerns for music educators over the next few years will certainly be accountability for our work m the classroom. The National Standards for Music Education give […]

It's fascinating to walk down the practice wing of our music building and listen to the students. One's playing an etude from start to finish, over and over. Another isolates […]

Classroom music lessons are not usually a forum for addressing philosophical issues, but they can be. Through music and visual media, we can discuss music with middle and high school […]

We greatly enhance the quality of our young students' lives through music, but we know that musicians at all levels risk injury when they practice and perform. Overuse injuries are […]

As music educators strive to have the arts, including music, recognized as being at the core of education, it's helpful to tap into methods and resources that are familiar to […]

In 1978, I was approached by the Edmond Public Schools (a suburb of Oklahoma City) to start a string program. The district had recently moved from a junior high (grades […]

In our music classes, we emphasize good listening skills that are fundamental to appreciating and understanding music. So, when students with hearing impairments are placed in music class, even experienced […]

I'm always flattered when asked to judge a contest or festival because it means that the host has confidence in my professionalism and musicianship. Whenever possible, I request the sight-reading […]

Music composition is a rewarding activity for students. Through composition, teachers not only address National Standard 4 (composing and arranging music within specified guidelines), but also cover other areas of […]

Quick percussion lesson, adapted from The New Harvard Dictionary of Music: A true xylophone is make of wood, as the etymology shows: Xylophone is from the Greek word xylon, wood, […]

Musicians hold diverse opinions about the value of scientific inquiry in their field Although some see music-making as a human behavior that can be studied from, say, a psychological perspective, […]

Have you ever wondered why you often have to repeat yourself several times with your band students? Of course, there may be more than one reason, but it's possible that […]

On an unseasonably warm Tuesday morning in November, Claudine Nash, the music teacher at Birney Elementary School in the southeast Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Anacostia, came into her classroom early […]

Do prospective music teachers with piano proficiency have an advantage p in the job market? Can playing the piano well help practicing teachers achieve greater success in the classroom? Consider […]

One afternoon in July 1996, the grandmother of one of my students approached me in the school parking lot. She was excited about a videotape she had seen of a […]

Real-life music experiences keep students motivated and help them learn to assess their performances. One such experience is recording a piece of music from start to finish, much like a […]

1. Which composer is known as the "Father of the Symphony"? 2. What child prodigy is believed to have written his first musical composition at age five and grew up […]

NEW! Benchmarks in Action: Guide to Standards-Based Assessment in Music (Book & CD) This book and CD set is designed to help music teachers at all levels develop standards-based assessments. […]

Who hasn't noticed how naturally love to move, especially to music? Children learn about the world through their bodies. They move intuitively because feelings for music come from the body. […]

Sometimes we're dazzled by the performance of people who are at the top of their game. As magical as it might appear when Tiger Woods drives the ball 350 yards, […]

Do you believe that everything you do professionally springs from your personal philosophy? I believe that a carefully thought-out personal philosophy is essential for every music educator. Sound music education […]

MUSIC is an exciting learning tool that touches the heart, soul, and mind of the young child. It is enriching and engaging. According to early childhood music specialist John Feierabend […]

The Summer Study Resource Directory is an annual, free classified listing of schools and other institutions offering summer music programs. The information was compiled from questionnaires sent to more than […]

A college education alone will not guarantee your success as a music educator. Other factors also contribute to your growth. Making plans for your professional development while you are still […]

Music teaching is an art, a science, and one of the most challenging and rewarding professions on the planet. To do it well, you need time. Each of us has […]

An ensemble director is responsible for a wide variety of tasks every school day. These duties can range from taking attendance to managing fund-raising projects to organizing transportation for trips. […]

As a music educator, I am always looking for outside sources of funding to supplement my meager budget. So I was thrilled when I happened upon an advertisement for the […]

Physicians attend conferences to learn about major breakthroughs in the practice of medicine. Lawyers seize the opportunity to attend law conferences to discuss changes in law practices that directly affect […]

... A TRI-M chapter. It would be good for my students. It would increase their involvement with music, and it would certainly strengthen and unify the school music program. It […]

New research shows that music teachers in the United States can maintain or improve upon their instrumental programs by analyzing their program's existing strengths and weaknesses in a logical sequence […]

Although technology may provide opportunities to enhance the learning process, it may also make us lazy. As musicians and music educators, we need to focus on the learning opportunities that […]

IN recent decades, music education as a profession has faced a number of systemic challenges, ranging from outcome-based education to block scheduling. However, creative ingenuity and a missionary work ethic […]

I need to buy a tenor saxophone for my middle school music department. I have been looking on eBay and keep running into these inexpensive new instruments. What are the […]

When Is It Mine? "Creativity in the Classroom" Elementary Lesson for Grades 4-6 Objectives * Students will be able to explain the basic idea of intellectual property. * Students will […]

The search for band and orchestra repertoire is a quest for quality. It's easy for band or orchestra directors to find lists of music; in fact, the quantity is often […]

This is my first year teaching in public school and first time ever teaching elementary music. I'm not sure if I've got a cold or I'm damaging my voice, but […]

NEW! Halle Dinkle Notecards Set of 4 notecards with envelopes. Each card features an original Halle Dinkle cartoon designed by Tom Batiuk especially for MENC, with music education themes, 2003, […]

NEW! Readings on Diversity, Inclusion, and Music for All This book covers issues related to teaching in urban and rural schools and teaching students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. […]

NEW! Spotlight on Technology in the Music Classroom Learn how to teach with technology, make the most of the Internet, buy and use hardware and software, enhance digital and audio […]

What's the best piece of advice you ever received from a mentor or colleague? How did it help you in your teaching? "You Can Always Start Over" Lisa Arnold is […]

VH1 and MENC have often worked together to promote music education. Through activities such as meetings on Capitol Hill, VH1 and MENC have collaborated to foster positive music education legislation. […]

Performing arts medicine, a relatively new occupational health specialty, has already begun to change the face of music education. In 1982, Alice Brandfonbrener, then physician for Colorado's Aspen Music Festival, […]

I teach K-8 general music and need some help with concert etiquette! I have a guest performing group coming next semester, and my principal wants the students to be on […]