Keeping one's self inspired in the music classroom is all about connections. Sometimes educators need to look at what they're doing from a different perspective. Luckily, there's no shortage of ways to revitalize one's classroom approach, and to help the author explores a few, he made use of some connections of his own, turning to five educators…

The saxophone section of a wind ensemble can easily be one of the most frustrating to work with when it comes to producing a clear, characteristic tone. Sometimes, the road to an improved sound can be a long path of daily diligence and practice; however, there are many quicker solutions that will drastically improve a student's tone. This article…

When a music teacher is named Teacher of the Year for an entire state, one just know a special story awaits. The narrative of Heidi Welch, director of music at Hillsboro-Deering High School in New Hampshire, does not disappoint. Welch, who grew up in abject poverty and was often homeless, developed her love of music through memorizing and singing…

Music teachers are in a class all their own when it comes to voice use. These elite vocal athletes require stamina, strength, and flexibility from their voices day in, day out for hours at a time. Voice rehabilitation clinics and research show that music education ranks high among the professionals most commonly affected by voice problems.…

Teachers might ask students to hum the tuning pitch, chant rhythms and scat articulations, or sing melodies from the repertoire to better understand musical inflection and nuance. In addition, singing can develop skills in music reading and audiation. If students sing out loud before playing a line of music, they are able to prehear the pitches…

Usually band, orchestra, and choir directors work independently. However, the authors--one a choral director, the other a band director--have learned that making music together makes friends. Not only can ensemble directors get along, but joint concerts may be just the way to help students see how music can reach the heart. Combined instrumental…

For the Tower-Tannerts of Texas, music education runs in the family, and that's been the case for more than 100 years. Matriarch Mollie Gregory Tower is a lecturer at Texas State University and a former elementary school teacher, textbook writer, music supervisor, and president of the Texas Music Educators Conference (TMEC). Her daughter Debbie…

Because people today are accustomed to listening to electronic instruments, school music ensembles need to rise to the challenge of reflecting present-day culture by doing a "contemporary makeover". This is all-important if ensembles are to command student respect and attract new members. With a creative mindset and openness to innovation, one can…

In this article, five highly experienced music educators tell what they love about teaching music. They are: (1) Rob Amchin, professor of music education at the University of Louisville, Kentucky (elementary general music specialist and percussionist--over 30 years of experience); (2) Susan Bechler, retired orchestra teacher for the Victor Central…

Long before a certain television show with a certain group of singing teens captured the popular imagination, Martin Ford was striking a chord with his glee clubs at Myrtilla Miner Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ford and his proteges have been spreading their music--and reaching celebrity status of their own--for more than 16 years and…

Songwriter, political activist, ethnomusicologist, gardener, singer, environmentalist, storyteller, woodcutter, history buff, cookieholic...Pete Seeger is all these and more. One has probably heard his name before, and maybe one can attach it to certain songs or political movements. Seeger is 91 years old and keeps active singing, writing songs,…

In spite of the popularity of TV shows like "American Idol" and "Glee," it can still be hard to convince boys that singing is cool. Therefore, choir directors who would like more boys to join their groups have their work cut out for them. Erin Belanger, music teacher at Stockbridge Valley central School in Munnsville, New York…

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…

Trained as a classical pianist, Kevin Tison, earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He was directing the music ministry at a southern California church when the opportunity arose to kick-start a faltering high school choir program for two hours a day. He taught at Fountain Valley High School in Orange…

They have worked as professional musicians, taught in several school districts, and even created a children's educational music video series, all while raising five kids of their own. But as they move into yet another chapter of their careers as music educators, Chuck and Mary Lynn McMichael are still crazy after all these years. Crazy about…