This article about music theory tech tools was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, February 2025 issue. As ensemble directors, we aim to develop well-rounded musicians, who not only play their instruments well but also have a strong grasp of music theory fundamentals. While some students might struggle with skills like note and rhythm reading or…
This post got a much-needed update in March, 2025! Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM®) is a great time for educators to showcase the fantastic things happening within their music programs. Throughout March, music departments all over the country put extra effort into making music noticeable and celebrating its contributions within their districts. This year,…
There’s been a lot of talk recently about what to do the week after winter break. While the tendency might be to hit the ground running, this is also a great time to slow down and lay a solid foundation for what’s coming. What are habits or routines you started but maybe didn’t continue throughout…
This article about student-created videos was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, October 2024 issue. For many years, music teachers have used audio and video recordings in the classroom. While reference recordings and instructional videos are valuable learning tools, incorporating student-created videos offers unique benefits that extend beyond passive learning. In this article, I will provide several…
In June 2024, Flip (formerly Flipgrid) dropped a bombshell: the beloved tool would be exclusive to Microsoft Teams starting July 1st. The news sent shockwaves through the music teacher community, as Flip had become an integral part of our teaching in recent years. While the loss of this tech tool is undoubtedly hard, there are…
This article about taming digital clutter was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, June 2024 issue. Summer is often the time when busy music teachers rest and recharge, maybe finally tackling the tasks we have been neglecting throughout the school year. While this can be a good time to organize our physical spaces, equally important is…
May 2024 – It was time for another update! There have been a lot of posts on social media from music teachers asking for suggestions on what to do with the time after a concert, of what to do when class is disrupted because of testing. So, if either of these scenarios resonate with you,…
Wow, it’s been 6 years since Kathryn Finch and I originally wrote this! It’s amazing to think about how far this work has come in that time…a book…and podcast…what’s next? For a long time, our focus was on engaging the learners and making sure students were “actively engaged” in music making in my classroom. But…
This article about electronics in concert band music was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, February 2024 issue. In the ever-evolving landscape of music, the integration of technology and electronics into the concert band setting marks a significant shift from traditional performances. This not only expands the sonic possibilities but also challenges the conventional norms of…
January 2024 – This post has gotten another much-deserved update! Seven add-ons and extensions isn’t enough anymore – we’re up to ten! This post continues a back-to-school series about tech tools for the music classroom. One useful feature of Google Chrome is the ability to customize your browsing and creating experiences using add-ons and extensions….