Your Successful Middle School Band Program
About this Webinar –
While we feature many NPD Webinars that address important topics in teaching band, the webinar focuses on the intermediate grades. This webinar identifies the challenges of teaching middle school band and provides real-world solutions. The webinar includes the following topics:
- How teaching middle school band differs from high school
- Classroom Management
- The Daily Warm-up
- Criteria to Consider in Literature Selection
- Successful Structure and Pacing of the Rehearsal
- Developing Student leadership
- Sight-reading in the middle grades
- Expectations of Home Practice
- Considerations of Preparing Students for High School
- The band as part of the school community
- Festivals and Travel
- How to Build Parent Support
- Hot Tips
Our Presenters –
- Paul Holzen – a retired band director of 30 years, last directed the band at Parkway Central Middle School. Currently serves as a Road Representative and Clinician for Nottelmann Music. – Full Bio – Email Paul
- Larry Johnson – currently grades 4-8 band director at St. Joseph School, St. Charles, MO. Also serves as jazz band director at St. Dominic High School, O’Fallon MO. – Full Bio – Email Larry
- Steve Owen – a retired band director of many years, mostly at Oakville Middle School and Bishop Dubourg High School. – Full Bio – Email
To gain the most benefit, please follow these suggested steps:
Step One – Download the Note Page
Prepare to either type your notes into the Word.doc or Google Doc and save the changes, or write in your notes by hand into a printed copy.
Step Two – 
As you view the webinar, we encourage you to take notes as you go along. Feel free to stop the recording and rewind as needed.
Step Three – Download the Action Plan Template
Choose either format; Word Doc or Google Doc. After considering the key points that you wish to implement, describe the point in the ACTION BOX select a date for the initial implementation. Then, select a date that you plan to review and assess the success of the implementation.
Step Four – 
An 80% score or better will result in a Certificate of Completion emailed to the address you provide. Those scoring less than 80% will be allowed to retake the quiz.
Step Five – Review the Follow-up Links and Materials Below
The following is from NPD Webinars:
- How to Train Your Students in SIGHT-READING –with Kurt Bauche, Joe Pappas, Skip Vandelicht, and Steve Litwiller
- Teaching the Over-Scheduled Child-with Larry Johnson
- Successfully Managing Your Music Ensemble Rehearsal Parts 1&2-With Kurt Bauche and Joe Pappas
- Using the Yamaha Harmony Director in Your Music Program-with Dr. John Zastoupil
- Preparing Your Ensemble for Adjudication-with Dr. Nola Jones, Conn-Selmer Clinician
The following are from The Nottelmann Blog:
- Advice on Teaching Middle School Band – Steve Graves
- Developing Musicians or Directing the Band? – 6 Survival Tactics for the Middle School Band Director-Benjamin Davis
- Editor’s Choice – 10 Concert Band Pieces You May Have Missed – Grade 2/Easy – by Ray Benton
- Editor’s Choice – 10 Concert Band Pieces You May Have Missed – Grade 3/Medium Easy –by Ray Benton
- Band Practice at Home: How to Involve Parents for Student Success
The following are important links to materials or topics discussed in the webinar:
- The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic – Performers and Concert Programs
- Grover C. Yaus – Alfred Music Publishing
- 16 Chorales by J.S. Bach – arr. Mayhew Lake – G. Shirmer, Inc.
- First Ten Minutes – DelBorgo – JPM Music Publications
- The Sight-Reading Book for Better Bands by Jerry West – Published by Wingert Jones
- Sight-Reading Builder – SmartMusic’s the Music Educator Blog
- Sight Reading Factory