Low Cost MusicTechnology Options For The Music Education Classroom
Low Cost MusicTechnology Options For The Music Education Classroom

Finding ways to stretch your budget in a music classroom is always important and even more so when trying to purchase high tech electronics, software, and other materials.  This article provides an updated list of dozens of different low cost or free alternatives to expensive music education products.  It includes such categories as music notation software, drill design software, special needs hardware, and many more.

 

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The Star Spangled Banner- Free Sheet Music For Band Inst.
The Star Spangled Banner- Free Sheet Music For Band Inst.

This document contains sheet music for all common instruments to play The Star Spangled Banner, also known as the sheet music to the National Anthem of the United States of America. You can view the sheet music online or download the individual parts arranged for all common concert band instruments.  If you do not see your instrument listed please scroll to the bottom of the page and try one of the the other instruments.  Most musicians will be able to find at least one instrumental part that matches their range and preferred key signature.  If you are seeking a simple piano version of the song please select from the voice, trumpet, or alto saxophone versions.

 

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Using Plickers as an Assessment Tool in the Music Education Classroom
Using Plickers as an Assessment Tool in the Music Education Classroom

Music, band, choir, and orchestra classrooms can be huge and assessing the knowledge and retention of individual students in such a large class can be daunting.  Plickers are one of several solutions that can be adapted to work in large groups, making the act of assessing a student’s understanding a little easier and a whole lot faster.  

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Is Marching Band A Sport? Pros, Cons, and a Reality Check
Is Marching Band A Sport? Pros, Cons, and a Reality Check

In recent years the question of whether or not marching band is a sport has been brought up time and time again for various reasons and by various groups.  On one side you have the YES crowd who says that marching band is competitive, physically demanding, and every bit as much a team event as any traditional sporting event.  On the other side of the coin are those who say no, that marching band is NOT a sport and it is a musical pursuit that happens to involve coordinated movements.  Both sides are right, but to make a final decision we need to look deeper into the facts.  Read on to find out what they are!

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Portable Digital Audio Recorder Buying Guide With Reviews
Portable Digital Audio Recorder Buying Guide With Reviews

Scroll down to view the comparison chart of over a dozen different portable digital audio recorders.

Buying a portable digital audio recorder is a major decision.  The balance between price, features, and quality is a fine line that has many different options to choose from.  There are dozens of different models of portable digital audio recorders, some of which have drastically different sets of features yet sell for roughly the same price.  This easy to read head to head comparison chart and guide to many of the more popular portable digital audio recorders is intended to help potential buyers more easily see these differences and make an educated buying decision.

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Apps and More for the Choral Classroom
Apps and More for the Choral Classroom

The number of apps, software, and gadgets available for use in the music classroom continues to grow each year but finding things that can actually be beneficial to your classes grows more and more difficult as well.  We spoke with Dr. Christopher Russell, Director of Choirs at Oltman Middle School in St. Paul Park, Minnesota to get his must-have list of apps.

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Marching Band Camp Survival Tips

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Marching Band CampIt's that time of year again.  If you have not already held your summer band camp chances are you will be in the next few days.  Check out this list of suggestions to get the most out of the students while taking the least out of you!
  1. {mosimage}Provide lunch for your students ON CAMPUS!
    A few years ago I began having my band parent's organization begin providing lunch for the students around 11:30 or so each day of band camp.  The students each paid $10 for the week and were provided with generous portions of food, cold drinks, and desserts throughout the five days of camp.  It broke up the day nicely and allowed us to continue working right until camp ended at 3:30 each day.  The parent's got other parents to donate food and time which saved on costs tremendously.


  2. Get your leadership corps on board long before camp starts
    Don't wait until the day before camp to organize and plan how you will be using you student leaders.  A good, solid student leaderhship corps can help you get more accomplished but only if you have done the proper planning and training to get it off the ground in advance of band camp.
  3. Have a backup plan in case of weather issues
    As I write this the temperature outside is over 100 degrees.  It could just as easily be raining, so you have to have a backup plan for what you can do in case you can't be outside practicing the drill.  Find out if there are any rooms in your school are available (and air conditioned).  Sign out access to one or more gyms each day on the off chance you need a larger area than the band room for a music rehearsal. 
  4. Have your daily schedule posted and stick to it!
    Kidsdon't react to change well, especially incoming freshmen.  Set a schedule for the day with one hour segments (warm-up/fundamentals, music rehearsal, drill rehearsal, sectionals, lunch, etc.).  Unless circumstances require you to do so, don't change it during the day.
  5. Get your equipment ready BEFORE band camp starts.
    Tune the drum line, check the sousaphone valves, make sure you have all the needed silks for the flags.  If possible use your student leadership corps for these duties, but make sure that they are done!  Having to tune a drum or go grab something from the storage room during a rehearsal slows things down and distrupts the flow of the day.  You can't plan for everything, but try to do your best.
  6. Get Professional Help!
    Unless you are a one man (or woman) show doing everything from 5th-12th grade you probably have access to at least one other professional music teacher that might be able to help you with music rehearsals or some other aspect of the Band Camp week.  Offer to help them with some aspect of their programs in exchange for their help during band camp week.  This one item can totally change your entire band camp experience for the better.

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