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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Earning an Online Bachelor's Degree in Music

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Earning A Bachelors Degree In Music Online

For millions of people, music speaks to the heart and soul. If you live and breathe music, but also have a desire to teach, compose, conduct, or perhaps play an instrument or sing professionally, getting the right education is critical. If you desired career requires more than a simple Associate's degree the next step up for many people is to earn an online Bachelor's degree in music. While you can get an education through a traditional college or university, there are numerous time and financial advantages to earning a degree online.

This article is part 6 of our Ultimate Guide To Earning Your Music Degree Online series.  Please visit the index document to view the other parts in the series.

 

What Constitutes a Bachelor's Degree in Music?

In simple terms, this is an undergraduate degree and part of higher education. Offered through brick and mortar, as well as online community colleges, private universities, and state universities, a Bachelor's degree typically takes four to five years to complete. However, some educational institutions offer special programs whereby this level of education can be finished in just two or three years.

Earning an online Bachelor's degree in music makes it possible to pursue a professional career in a variety of unique fields. If desired you can open up even more options by continuing your education to earn a Master's or even Doctoral degree, but for a Bachelor's degree, you can choose from several specific fields such as those listed below:

However, be aware that some traditional music centered BA degrees are not offered online due to the intense private instrumental or vocal instruction required to earn them. Others, such as music education, require a license from the state you wish to teach in and at this point this always requires in person, on-campus instruction.

Career Opportunities in Music

Remember, exact career opportunities will depend on the chosen field. Following are some examples of careers for each of the degrees outlined above.

  • Instrumental and Vocal Performance – In addition to working as a professional performer in nightclubs, live theater, or on tour, this degree will open doors for teaching in private and public colleges and universities.
  • Jazz Performance – As the name implies, a degree that focuses on jazz performance will help you master the advanced theory and technical skills necessary to perform as a professional jazz musician. You will also gain the knowledge and develop the skills necessary to compose and arrange jazz pieces, as well as teach on the college or university level.
  • Music Composition – This degree will prepare you to continue education in music but also enter a career field such as composing and arranging using digital and acoustic compositional techniques or music notation systems, as well as scoring music for professional instrumentalists and vocalists.
  • Music Education – Earning a Bachelor's degree in music education will provide you with educational skills adequate to allow you to teach in any of four specific areas including vocal, keyboard, strings, or winds/percussion. As a result, you will learn the required skills to teach in a private or public school and in most cases will also earn your state teacher certification in the process.
  • Music History – With focus on music analysis, music cultures, music literature, and musical form, the degree is ideal if pursuing a career in research or teaching at the college and university level.
  • Music Theory – With this degree, you will gain a high level of sophistication in relation to acoustic and digital composition, music notation, music research, music analysis, and other technical areas. With this, you can work as a composer or arranger, or if desired you go into high-level teaching.
  • Music Therapy – Earning a Bachelor's degree in music therapy prepares you to work in a therapeutic role using music. You can work as a member of a therapeutic team in treating patients with a variety of ailments including depression, mental and physical disabilities, life-threatening illnesses, and many others.  

Benefits of Earning an Online Bachelor's Degree In Music

Even with an Associate's degree, you have exciting career options but by earning an online Bachelor's degree in music, the list of possibilities is much greater. Not only are there more career options, but having a Bachelor's degree dramatically increases earning potential. Of course, if you earn a degree with honors or choose a specialized area of study, this can open up even more opportunities for you in the field of music.

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