Music and Numbers

I have always been fascinated by math; I even contemplated getting a second certification to teach math.  This website, Music by Numbers, has two pretty cool programs that you can download to your iPhone or PC to use.  The program that can be used on the iPhone scans UPC's and makes a little musical number out of it.  I played around with it and it is fun to use.  I'm just sorry I didn't think of it first!

Being Musical and Being Human

Thanks to Dr. Bauer's suggestion to add "Being Musical, Being Human" to my google reader.  I have already enjoyed many of the posts from this addition to my reader.  This particular page discusses reconnecting to the heart of music.

Sometimes, our priorities are out of whack and teachers need a reality check.  This article is such a lovely read, and an inspiration to teach more than just the correct notes on a page!

Connecting the Arts

Sometimes we all run into problems when the students either need a break, or we just don't have enough class time to have a good rehearsal.  Here is a creative way for students to explore visual art and learn about music at the same time!  Just have the students use words and items from their current music to create a Tagxedo!  It really is a lot of fun, and the students have a piece of art to walk away with!

Asking Why?

Although I am not a fan of About.com, some of our students are using it to find information.  This came to my google reader.  I think it is important for our students to be able to recognize popular 'classical' songs they will hear in everyday life.  This site gives reasons why, and inspiration behind some composers which wrote a particular piece of music.

Listening and Evaluating Music

Listening and Evaluating Music does need to be limited to classical era music or concert band arrangements.  This site, the sixtyone, is pretty neat.  It has new music that students probably have not heard before.  There are several different categories of music to choose from.  What is great, is that students can post comments about the music they are listening to and create playlists!

Finding Guest Conductors

Just finishing up a busy 2011 honor band season, we are already planning for honor band next year.  The dates have been set, and jobs are being distributed to lighten the load.  The job of find a guest conductor can be a daunting task.  This article from MENC points out a few things to think about when searching for a guest conductor.

Stanton's Sheet Music

Okay, I am lucky to live in Ohio and within driving distance of a great music retailer, Stanton's Sheet Music. The business operates out of a former Kroger building in Columbus.  I frequently take trips to the store to browse through their large selection of marching band music, choral music, jazz music, folk music...just about anything you can imagine.  The staff is also very helpful in finding what you are looking for, and they are knowledgeable of the pieces of music they sell too.  The site offers a small recording of most pieces so the person buying can become familiar with the tune before they buy it.  Even if you are not from Ohio, check it out!