Reading is something I have enjoyed since the time I was young and would sneak a flashlight under the covers to read after bedtime. Although I read a lot of research articles these days, there are several books I read over the last few months that I really enjoyed! As music teachers, we should also…
Artificial intelligence has become a hot topic recently and many people, educators included, are wondering, is this something we could and should be using? While that’s a loaded question, in this blog post I’ll share some popular AI tools along with a couple of suggestions for how music educators might use them. From there, it’s…
Digital portfolios have revolutionized various industries, and the world of music education is no exception. Traditionally, music classes have focused on performance-based assessments, leaving minimal room for comprehensive evaluation and holistic growth. However, digital portfolios offer a transformative medium for students to showcase their progress, creativity, and musical journeys. Why Incorporate Digital Portfolios in Music …
June 2023: This blog post was updated! The first performance for beginning instrumentalists is a topic frequently debated. Some believe it should take place as soon as possible, in as little as eight weeks, while others think beginners should not perform until the end of the school year when the group is more “polished.” I…
This article was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, June 2023 issue. Graphic design skills may not be something band directors expect to need in their careers. But between concert programs, promotional posters, and award certificates, graphic design is likely something most of us have had to do. Luckily, there are some great tools available that…
Now we know the study of creativity began with some behavioral psychologists in the early 1900s (What Does It Mean To Be Creative?) and there are some different ideas about what makes up the creative process which can include elements of convergent and divergent thinking. But you might ask, what do I do with this…
One of the enjoyable tasks in this semester’s Listening and Creating class was the opportunity to read a book about creativity. We were offered several options to choose from, some related to music and music education, and others with a more broad look at creativity. I chose a book outside music education. I’ve read books…
Some scholars believe that creativity can be measured as part of a process, which I wrote about here: What’s the Role of the Creative Process in Music? But others were more interested in looking at what makes a person creative. They found that individuals have measurable characteristics that determine how creative they are. The ability…
When looking at creativity, there are differences in opinion on where the creativity comes from. Scholars vary on whether they believe it’s the person, process, product, or place that determines if creativity exists. This blog post will focus on things surrounding the creative process in music. If you had asked me four months ago if…
Creativity is a word we hear often in education, especially in music education, and it’s something I’ve become quite passionate about in the last few years. How are we, as music educators, offering opportunities for students to be creative? When do students get to create their own music and make their own musical decisions, instead…