Disagreements are an inevitable part of life, but what happens if a school issue becomes truly divisive? It's impossible to go through this world without coming into conflict with someone at some point, and music educators are no more immune to this than anyone else. However, there are details and procedures peculiar to the teaching world, and…

Auditioning is often uncomfortable but can lead to great rewards. Music educators can do much to help their students be at their best in front of a panel. In this article, four experts share their experiences as adjudicators and their advice on how best to prepare students for the process.

It may or may not be the responsibility of a music educator to acquire or maintain the instruments used by the students in a program. However, no matter what level of involvement the educator has in this process, knowing how things are done--as well as what other options may be out there--can only help to keep things running smoothly. This…

One of the toughest battles a music teacher can fight is the battle to stay organized. Getting organized--and staying that way--is no easy task for a busy music educator. However, for the sake of music teachers' success in the classroom, and for their sanity, organization is crucial. The author has spoken with several educators about how they keep…

Recruiting students is one thing, but keeping them in a chorus, orchestra, or band is another. Although a music director has no control over some variables, there is much that can be done to help students to stay. Several experts share their advice on retention. One expert said a teacher's own attitude and classroom strategies may be two of the…

Maintaining order in the classroom is a concern that ranks near the top of "every" teacher's list, no matter the subject taught. Successful classroom management will not only make the teaching--and learning--process easier, but it also will benefit the teacher's energy level and sanity. Recent studies suggest that controlling students' behavior…

Choosing books for the music classroom can seem like a daunting task. Which ones are useful--and not so useful? What works for one teacher or situation may not work for all, but guidelines and recommendations can prove helpful, particularly to the beginning music educator or one undertaking a new subject. This article discusses the views of music…

Being an effective and engaging leader of a band, orchestra, or choir involves both the application of appropriate, purposeful techniques and successful communication on a variety of levels. Tackling problems regarding tone, dynamics, and difficult passages requires a good "game plan" that one can convey clearly to the group, so that optimal…

Professional growth, like personal growth, comes only through an investment of effort, but it can provide significant returns. Music educators--indeed, most serious musicians--are naturally curious and intensely interested in opportunities for continuing education. If music educators are looking for ways to increase the level of knowledge they…

Introducing jazz music to elementary and middle school students can open a multitude of creative doors--provided that teachers know how and where to start. This article presents a sample of what Christine Nowmos teaches to her kindergarten-through-fourth-grade classrooms over the course of two months. During January and February each year, she has…

Copyright law is a daunting subject for most lawyers, so it's no surprise that many music educators feel uneasy dealing with it as well. But in truth, obtaining permissions for using copyrighted works can be a very simple and straightforward process. This article walks the readers through the steps of obtaining permission for a fictional piece of…

Performance-related injuries are a potential problem for musicians of any age and skill level. Music educators should take whatever steps they can to ensure that their students aren't injured in rehearsal or performance, but part of their job is also serving as an example for students to follow. How can teachers avoid injury to themselves "and"…

Music education doesn't end in the classroom; for many teachers, it's crucial to engage on the home front as well. Parental involvement can have an enormous impact on a music program. Mothers and fathers--as well as other family members--can act as strong advocates, effective fundraisers, sources of invaluable help for performances, and…

When students first enter high school, the change can be overwhelming on many levels. All at once, or very nearly, they're dealing with an onslaught of new educational concerns, weighty academic decisions, different extracurricular options, unfamiliar teachers, and potentially bewildering social atmospheres. Meanwhile, former middle school…

Different types of schools make for different experiences. Pros and cons abound, whether one teaches at a public, private, magnet, or charter school. Although it's certainly true that some individual schools may offer better environments for music education than others, no type of school is categorically the "best." Still, it can be instructive to…