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Teaching Tips

Incorporating Mindfulness into Rehearsals

Watch the energy in your band room change when your students engage in mindfulness techniques lik…

Flow Theory in the Classroom

A Florida music educator designs rehearsals that maximize engagement and motivation while buildin…

Teach Music from a Trauma-Informed Lens

Students are whole people with more than just musical experiences, and you must consider their hi…

Top Five Rules You Don’t Need to Follow

When you start examining where your students are and where you want them to be, you may find simp…

11 Things Strong Music Programs Do

Clear purpose, realistic programming and consistent routines shape what students experience every…

Help Students Prepare for College Auditions

Set your students up to make a good choice by guiding the process early, focus on fit over hype a…

Five Ways to Instill Care-Based Instruction

When students are engaged and interested, their musical outcomes are stronger and more focused.

How to Book a Guest Artist for Your Program

Bringing in a guest artist requires planning. Focus on what matters — budget, logistics and choos…

Make Music History Fun and Interactive

A three-year “Composer of the Month” plan introduces middle school students to 27 diverse compose…

Teaching the Spotify Generation

Unlimited access to songs is overwhelming. How you can use it to your advantage in the music clas…

Help Students Who Move In Mid-Year

Plan for students moving in and out of your program throughout the school year by building system…

When You Are the Entire Music Program

Change your expectations, pacing and priorities. Your job isn’t just refining musicians. It’s bui…

Teach Music Like You’re Running a Small Businesses

Music teachers can reduce stress and make their programs more sustainable by implementing some sm…

What To Do When You’re Not Ready for a Performance

Shift your focus the week before a performance. At this point, success isn’t about perfection. It…

Motor Skills in the Modern Classroom: Expanding Circles

With an increase in screen time, children need to build gross and fine-motor skills. Here’s how m…

Try These Nontraditional Music Ensembles

Give students an opportunity to create music in a different way with ensembles that focus on rock…

Bonus Lessons

Add small-group instruction on different instruments, songwriting and other topics through bonus …

When You’re Absent

Teach students the skills they need to keep rehearsals running smoothly when you’re not there.

Why Community Modern Band Ensembles Matters

Reach a wider group of elementary and middle school students with modern band and create new path…

Helpful Hints for First-Year Music Teachers

The 2026 “40 Under 40” music educators offers their top three tips for new teachers.

BAND AND: A New Concept for Band Class that Students Love

A music educator created BAND AND, a program where students explore composition, different genres…

The At/Over/Under Programming System

Use this simple system to select the right music for your ensemble, which will help your students…

The Fastest Way to Improve Your Band: Hit Record

This two-minute habit will help you catch the stuff you’re missing, improve your teaching and mak…

10 Steps to Better Intonation (That Actually Work)

Use these tips to teach your students what in tune really means and what it sounds like.

Classroom Management: Build a Positive, Student-Centered Environment

Relationships, clear expectations, differentiated instruction and an organized classroom are esse…

10 Questions I Ask Before Programming a Piece

Yes, you’re searching for pieces to fill out your concert, but what’s more important is finding a…

Select the Right Fundraising Company

A practical guide for music teachers and boosters to find partners who respect your time, protect…

Tips for Choosing Balanced and Engaging Repertoire

Make sure you balance your musical program with standard band pieces, diverse musical works and n…

Even if Your Class Is After School, It’s Still Real

Start small, be consistent and think long-term. The goal is to help music students create good ha…

When Freshmen Come in Behind

Instead of complaining about students being behind, adjust your expectations, refocus and teach t…

Tech in the Choral Classroom

Incorporate referencing, playback, personal monitoring and group recording and your choir student…

Stage Fright Isn’t Just “Nerves”

To combat the body’s natural reaction to danger, make performing in front of others a regular par…

Help Kids Who Want to Quit Before They Become Good

Students who show up and try but still struggle need help getting over “the hump.” Fluency-driven…

Great Programs Can Have Small Numbers

Don’t feel “less than” if you have fewer students than other programs. Take advantage of more one…

5 Small Things That Make a Big Difference

Put these things on your daily to-do list — you’ll be surprised at how much they resonate with yo…

8 Ways Students Can Make Their Practice Time Productive

Students must learn to teach themselves with meaningful, thoughtful practice time.

We’re Not Here Only for the “Good” Kids

Don’t lower the bar to have an inclusive program, just be patient and hold open the door a little…

Marches Aren’t Boring — They’re Just Honest

When you pull out a march, be ready to deal with the groan heard ’round the band room, but you’ll…

Metacognition in the Music Classroom

Help students become more aware of their thinking process as they assess their performance to bec…

Rehearsal Shouldn’t Be a Punishment

You don’t have to run your classroom like a drill sergeant to get positive results.

Use Fusion to Engage Students

Combine two or more genres of music to bridge the gap between music your students know and the re…

Let Students Take Control During Rehearsals

Challenge your musicians to handle score study and rehearsals on their own — and even perform wit…

Music Class is the Ultimate Life Skills Workshop

In your classroom, students can learn skills far beyond music that will help them prepare for the…

Thinking About Grad School?

Considerations, modalities and majors — decisions you must make to become a “master” of your doma…

AI in the Music Classroom

Music educators must consider the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, which can lead to a m…

Requisite Recommendations for First-Year Music Teachers

The 2025 “40 Under 40” educators offer essential tips for new music teachers to help them succeed…

Concert Chairs to Marching Squares

Try these 8 tips to help students switch instruments.

Spooky Sound Mysteries

From haunting to downright bizarre, these sounds make for a fun fall exploration with your music …

Score Study Comes First!

Seven steps to help you make time to dive into score study.

How to Effectively Partner with School Administration

Fostering a close-knit teacher-administrator relationship will pay dividends for your music program.

Create an Emergency Bag for Work

Have these 15 items on hand to handle minor emergencies that you will inevitably run into.

The “No-Shortcuts” Approach

Putting in the work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it’ll give you a leg up as you pro…

You Will Never Feel “Ready,” But You Can Be Prepared

Nine recommendations for music education majors and novice in-service music educators to hone the…

The Daily Grind: Find Joy in the Routine

Embrace these five truths and you’ll succeed and thrive as a music educator.

Teaching is Planting Seeds

Patience is required to see the benefits of your teaching efforts.

Give Up Control

When given the opportunity, students reach farther and achieve more, so let them take charge and …

The Benefits of Learning Another Instrument

By playing multiple instruments, you will broaden your musical perspective and be a better compos…

Prepare for Spring Concerts

As the New Year begins, if you haven’t thought about your Spring concerts, you better start now! …

Essential Tips for First-Year Music Educators

The 2024 “40 Under 40” educators offer must-do and must-try tips to new music teachers to help th…

Master the Art of School Communication

In addition to the actual message, the method and frequency of communication with band families a…

Teach With Flow: Protect the Time You Have

Try these practical techniques for minimizing distractions, automating routines and engaging stud…

Increase Your Positivity with the 3:1 Ratio

Try the praise-to-criticism ratio to help students feel encouraged and safe in the music classroom.

Combining Science and Music

Consider collaborating with a colleague and coming up with an interdisciplinary lesson plan or co…

Co-Directors and Assistants: Step Out of the Shadows

If you are in a secondary role to a band director, arm yourself with practical tips and insights …

5 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

It’s exciting to teach composition, but what do you do when your students hit a creative roadblock?

Reclaim Time

These small purchases, adjustments and mindsets will help save time and make your job easier.

Off the Page, Part 2: Explore Simple Melodies by Ear

In part 1 of this series, we looked at five ways to go “off the page” and use pop music to teach …

Student Teaching 101: A Guide to Success

Step into your student teaching role fully prepared with this all-encompassing guide of practical…

5 Teacher Tools that Will Maximize Your Efficiency

Check out these ways to manage and streamline your workload.

How to Navigate Student Resilience

Help your students go from apprehension to applause with these tips on building their confidence …

Why You Need to Be a Good Conductor

Conductors do more than keep time. Here are five reasons to work at your conducting skills so you…

Today’s Tasks that Pay off in May

Elevate your music class from novice to virtuoso with these five practical, long-term strategies …

Expert Tips for Navigating Your First Festival

Be prepared for this exciting step in your music educator career with our real-world guide that i…

Music Tech Series, Part 2: Elementary Music Technology

See how National Standards can meet music technology competencies for elementary school students …

3 Homework Activities that Encourage Parent Involvement

Enlist parents to reinforce the lessons from music class — these fun activities are sure to be en…

10 Ways to Make Your Students’ Day

Kids are excited to see teachers who are excited to see them, so bring your A-game every day.

The Importance of Commissioning Music

Finding new composers and securing funds to commission pieces is worth the time and effort. Not o…

Music Tech Series, Part 1: Getting Started Teaching the DAW

Transform music education by using new technologies and low-cost gear for recording and composing.

Off the Page, Part 1: Bring Creativity into the Band Room

Don’t rely on method books! Go “off the page” and try these five ways to use pop music to allow s…

Video Game Music Composition: An Art Form

There are many ways to create music for video games. Find what works best for you!

8 Unconventional Rehearsal Tips

Try these tips to challenge your students to listen, react, communicate, perform and ultimately, …

Music on a Cart: Make it Work

We’ve all heard of art on a cart, but what about music on a cart? You can store and carry all you…

Engage Parents as Partners

Work with and utilize parents to help your program succeed. Bring them into the fold, give them o…

5 Recruitment Tips You Must Try!

Recruitment is a big part of ensemble directors’ jobs. Don’t look at it as a burden, but rather a…

Be an Effective Teacher-Leader

Be an agent of change, advocate for the true purpose of education, take initiative to solve probl…

6 Websites that Help Me Arrange

Explore these sites to learn all the possible information you need about a track, which will make…

How a Classical Musician Directed a Jazz Band

You don’t have to choose between classical and jazz. If you are a trained classical instrumentali…

Incorporate Popular Music into Traditional Ensembles

Involve your students to infuse current and popular music into performances.

My Introduction to Orff

Exploring the social aspect of music as proposed by Carl Orff in the 1920s, opened a music educat…

Teach Composition to Older Beginners Using Kodály Philosophies

The Kodály Concept, which focuses on singing and physical movement, is a great way to help high s…

Proactive, Reactive and Restorative Disciplinary Measures

Understanding why kids misbehave is complex and challenging. Here are some tips on the best ways …

Advice for First-Year Music Educators

The 2023 “40 Under 40” educators offer useful tips to new music teachers to help them through the…

Celebrate Failure: Teach Through Music

Accepting failure is crucial to helping students become lifelong learners who are self-motivated …

The Performance Mind Game

Try these student-centered approaches to maximize the moment — before, during and after every per…

Subbing Success

Being a substitute teacher requires flexibility, organization and compassion. Try these tips to s…

Shine the Spotlight on Community Engagement

College music programs act as liaisons and bring numerous stakeholders together to make a positiv…

Develop Atomic Habits for Your Program

A key to success is to have a consistent system of routines that you and your students follow.

Help Students Learn from Failure

Teach students to learn from their mistakes and turn failure into opportunities for growth.

Holiday Lessons and Activities for Elementary School

Elementary students will enjoy these holiday- and winter-themed activities.

Neurodivergence and Music: My Experience

People whose brain works differently often experience sounds, including music, in unique ways.