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! 

Useful Information

I found a useful site by Debbie Cavalier, who is the dean of continuing education at Berklee College of Music's online extension school, Berkleemusic.  Recently, I signed up for Berklee College of Music's Steve Vai attempting the world's largest online guitar lesson.  Her site has many links to some useful information, divided into categories of interest.

The Value of a good warm-up

Sometimes teachers take for granted the time it takes to properly warm-up a band.  Teachers may expect students to do it on their own.  I found this blog by Dr. Scott Watson.  He posted a video of The Value of Warming Up.

Whitboard Technology

I have been nervous about using Whiteboard Technology in my music classroom.  Not only am I a little unsure of how they work, but I was at a loss of coming up with ways to use them to enhance the lessons I was teaching.  This website, offers a few ways that Whiteboard Technology can be incorporated into the lessons we already teach.

Bicycle Built for Two

Bicycle Built for Two

Using Noteflight to enter this score proved sort of difficult.  I have become very familiar with Muse Score note entry methods, and Noteflight is just different enough to be challenging.

I like Noteflight, for the main reason being because it is free and it is saved to the web.  As a note entry software, I would rather use Muse Score on a day to day basis.  I can see where Noteflight could be a helpful tool because it is on the web and music can be easily found.

Music Companies

I know we all have our favorite music companies to deal with, and some of us even have representatives to visit our schools.  I use Music and Arts to buy things I need for school.  I have a representative visit the school each week, do demonstrations for recruiting band students, and they also have an excellent rental program.

Yamaha Percussion

Yamaha Percussion offers a behind the scenes video of how their marching percussion instruments are crafted.  I use Yamaha percussion instruments at my school, and I am very happy with them.

Support

Letting you know that there is still support for instrumental music education.  I have personally known of a school to receive support from VH1.  The second paragraph of this article describes what they do for music programs, and I am happy to have witnessed such support. http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/node/5543

Music In Our Schools Month

March is MIOSM, Music In Our Schools Month.  I hope that everyone has taken an opportunity to celebrate music, our profession, and our music students.  This article, I'm sure, hits home with music educators in NY that may be without a position.  http://www.menc.org/news/view/new-york-music-educators-see-miosm-as-a-celebration-with-purpose/

Getting into the swing of it...

Hello Everyone!

I'm trying to get into the swing of this blogging and google reader thing.  I think I just figured out how my blogger and google reader are connected.  Looking forward to this new experience!