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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Distance Learning Masters Degrees

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Going back to college for a Master's Degree is a very personal decision.  Family, work, and other obligations can make it almost impossible to find the time and finances to make it happen.  The growth and potential of colleges that now offer distance learning masters degrees in music and other fields is opening new doors and opportunities. 


{mosimage}Going back to college for a Master's Degree is a very personal decision.  Family, work, and other obligations can make it almost impossible to find the time and finances to make it happen.  The growth and potential of colleges that now offer distance learning masters degrees in music and other fields is opening new doors and opportunities.

There comes a time in every good musicians life when he or she considers returning to college for an advanced degree in music. By this point in a person's life however, family and other considerations often limit the person's options for study. Researching options in distance learning based master's degrees open new doors to completing a degree without the added expense and loss of personal income that often accompanies becoming a full time master's degree student. This article examines some of the more well known distance learning options as well as the pros and cons of each.

 

Distance Learning Masters Degrees- College Options

One of the most well known and popular distance learning colleges with masters degrees available is Viterbo University . While the college does not specifically offer a music oriented master's degree it does offer a highly regarded mater's degree program in education. Current music educators with a bachelor's degree can advance to an MA in education via a three year online program with at least one summer of on-campus coursework.


Another popular college that offers a distance learning based master's degree is Boston University . Boston also offers a doctorate program in music education as well, all of which can be done in an online setting.

Pros and Cons of Distance Learning Masters Degree Programs

The biggest positive of taking coursework toward a master's degree online is also its biggest weakness. While taking classes in an online, distance learning setting is great for students with families or business obligations, the ability to take a class from a teacher hundreds of miles away means that the personal interaction and hands on learning experiences that take place in a physical classroom are often not available. For some people this is not a significant issue, but some graduates consider online degrees to be more difficult and stressful to complete than those given in traditional classroom settings.  These and many other issues must be considered by anyone that is thinking about pursuing a master's degree online or in another distance learning format.  

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