Curated from the Alfred Blog – By David Birrow As a trained percussionist, this gig teaching bucket drumming should have been going way better… Sure, it was my first teaching job and it was at a summer camp but currently several dozen 1st and 2nd graders were running around the room wielding drum sticks. Apparently all those hours in the…
MORECurated from Band Directors Talk Shop – by Jeremy Lewis – Have you ever struggled to prepare repertoire by the performance deadline? Over the course of years preparing various performances, be it orchestral, chamber, or solo work, I have put together a structured plan which has yet to fail me. This plan has four distinct phases with specific objectives: Introduction…
MORECurated from ChoralNet.org by Developing Voices Author Jennifer Berroth, Choral Director at Leawood Middle School, Leawood, Kansas. I’ve heard it said that teaching middle school puts one at the front of the line for sainthood. We’ve all had days on which we have earned that status. I have been teaching middle school choir for seven years, and in that time I have…
MOREBy Ray Benton, Technology and Media Specialist, Nottelmann Music – Why Maynard Ferguson? With all of the great jazz artists in history, what’s so special about the late Maynard Ferguson? Critics say his showmanship was over that top. “He’s a one-trick-pony. He plays screaming high notes and nothing else.” Well, this observer is proposing that Maynard Ferguson made a unique contribution…
MOREAn exclusive webinar from Nottelmann Music, with Rob Babel – Whether your jazz ensemble meets daily or once or twice a week – whether you have years of experience or you are new to teaching jazz – you’ll find lots of tips and ideas in this webinar on jazz ensemble best practices. This is a blog version of our complete…
MORECurated from BandWorld – by Paula Crider – Ensemble conductors, read these inspirational thoughts from a legendary conductor on how to improve your ensemble’s expression through conducting. Doubtless this will find dedicated teachers totally immersed in the challenges of another school year. I hope all will agree that we owe it to our art to constantly strive to improve our…
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