Classics for Kids

This site is another great resource for the general music teacher who is looking for ways to incorporate more classical music into their classroom.  Classics for Kids has a great podcast that gives an excellent overview of composers throughout history.  The site also offers some great games, lesson plans, composer overviews, a music dictionary, and a lot more.  Check it out!

Music Advocacy Presentation

As more and more music programs are facing fiscal limitations, downsizing, or even complete cuts, we need to arm ourselves with the information that supports our cause. This video is a great example of the benefits of music education. Even though the creator tends to focus on the standardized testing idea, there are some great points regarding learning stages and how music can enhance reading and math skills. If your program is facing cuts like so many others, make sure the necessary people see this.

Multicultural Lessons and Printables (K-12)

This website has some great examples and activities that can be used, in an grade level, to teach multicultural lessons.  In conjunction with the lessons that we already teach from year to year, this website is proving to be an extremely valuable resource.

Music Theory - Drill & Practice

Between my normal classes and my private students, I am always trying to find new ways to get them some extra practice with basic music theory.  This website provides some great resources that provide the practice that I'm looking for.  Not only does it contain simple activities (i.e., rhythm, key signature, intervals, etc.), but it also offers more advanced topics (i.e.,  dictation and chords - jazz, augmented sixth, etc.).  If you are looking for a great website for any student (from about grade 3 and progressing all the way up to beginning undergraduate theory), this is your one stop shop!

A Change in Style

After all of the novelty posts that I've seen this week, I thought that I'd add one, too. Even though the two videos in this post are completely different in several ways, they both have the ability to draw you in to something you never thought possible.  Although a professional atmosphere should be maintained in the classroom, it never hurts to change the style every so often to draw students into learning.  The first is a great example of a master musician that plays an alternative to the traditional instrument. His talents are truly remarkable! The second is just a possible example of how to engage students when participating in a listening activity...humor!

A whistleblower you haven't heard | Video on TED.com

Recording Solutions (2nd attempt)

So let me try this again!

Hey everyone!  I just came across this in my PLN.  I am always looking for innovative ways to record the various performances by students for evaluation purposes.  In the past, Audacity has been the cheapest solution (FREE!) - especially when dealing with such a low budget allotment for the year.  However, the recordings are not the best quality.  I have looked into the H4 handy recorder, but this one (Blue Yeti) also looks like it would do a nice job.  I'm a big fan of the iPhone app to control it, as well.  (There is also a handy reference chart about microphones and the uses for each type. - GOOD TO HAVE AROUND!)

Eric Whitacre - Sleep (Virtual Choir 2011)

I just thought that I would share this with everyone! I'm sure that you are familiar with Eric Whitacre, and I'm sure that we recognize the unique sounds that he has created. However, imagine creating an ensemble sound by splicing thousands of videos together into one cohesive final sound. He has taken the idea of technology integration and effectively applied it to the ensemble performance setting. This is his long awaiteed virtual choir 2.0! (If you like what you see and hear, you might also like virtual choir 1.0!)

GREAT TIME SAVER!

Here is a great website that provides pre-made PowerPoint Presentations for the General Music Classroom.  Topics range from composers to Recorder technique and everything between!  A lot of these are great resources, but more importantly...they're already completed for you to use in your classroom.  WHAT A TIME SAVER!

Improvisational Genius!

If you are unfamiliar with Victor Borge, he is a great musician with a remarkable stage presence! (We can even trace his piano lineage directly to the instruction of Franz Liszt and Theodor Lechitisky.) Although he is fun to watch, he provides a great musical model of improvisation in this video. What a gift!

Elementary General Music - Instrument Families and Sounds

I am always looking for ways to get my students interested in their own music education when they are out of my classroom.  Every time I find a good resource for them to use at home, I always post it on my school webpage.  This internet based game (created by the ArtsEdge people..."Perfect Pitch") will be the next addition to my student resources.  Not only does it give examples of the orchestra throughout the various musical periods, but it also allows students to create their own sound of orchestra by mixing the various instruments together.  You can also have them take a short quiz about what they learned.  I think that it's a great way to connect our music curriculum to home.  Enjoy!

A Bicycle Built for Two

Click here to view my project ("A Bicylce Built for Two")
To be honest, Noteflight was not my favorite program for basic notation.  But I was able to find both pros and cons related to my experience with Noteflight.  First of all, the price was right for the program.  Music programs across the country routinely face budget cuts and other financial hardships.  So, when you find something that is FREE, you tend to remember it!  Overall, the program seemed relatively user friendly.  However, I found myself becoming more frustrated with the little things that never seemed to go right...I guess that a program should be able to read my mind (haha). 

When thinking about the field of music education and the Noteflight experience, it would be extremely simple to incorporate this notation program into any curriculum.  From an assignment perspective, students could easily share work with teachers and other students.  The online format of Noteflight would allow various individuals to critique/comment on someone's score, while still being able to promote creativity and individuality.  Students would also be able to work collaboratively on a given piece.  All of these things, as well as the price for the program, make Noteflight a valuable resource to remember.

World Music Lesson Plans

Hello everyone!  I just got this through my PLN.  If you are looking for some good resources to teach World Music lessons, look no further.  Fun Music Company has produced a great resource that is perfect on any budget.  Student books and 14 individual lesson plans / presentations for only $40!  I consider that a deal!  Check it out! 

Incredible Performance!

I found this video and thought that it was AMAZING! A solo pianist first performs, but then she describes the method of composition. To top it all off...she has a volunteer from the audience select five pitches which is immediately turned into a very expressive piece of music through improvisation.

Even though some consider improvising a difficult skill to master, Jennifer Lin makes it look like child's play. Just thought that I'd share it with you all!

Great Website with Great Resources

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am always looking for helpful websites and how to incorporate them into my classroom.  Check out this site from the NY Philharmonic!  It has several great points...famous composers, conductors,  & soloists (all with a short bio), games, instrument identification, and even basic composition/orchestration activities.  If you get a chance, I think that it might be well worth your time...especially if you are an elementary general music teacher.

Who wants some free money? How about some new supplies?

I thought that I should share a recent expereince with all of you!  My classroom, similar to several around the country, has an instrument inventory that needs to be updated.  Some classroom materials are definitely usable, but others are either severely damaged or beyond repair.  However, budget constraints don't really allow me the opportunity to purchase new instruments that would total about $10,000.  Through the help of a local insurance representative, I learned about a website known as Donors Choose.  This is a great site to post "projects" that need some help to be funded.

I will be honest, I wasn't sure about the success of the site, but through the generosity of perfect strangers, some of my materials are in the process of being replaced.  (My first project of $400 was completely funded in 6 days!  Another $400 project was funded in about 4 days!)  If you have budget problems and can't seem to find the extra money within your district, don't forget about those who still want to help!  Who wants some free money for their classroom?  Who needs some new supplies?  If you answered yes to either of these, take a few minutes to check out the website.  

Music Education Resources

The music program at Highland Park Elementary (Lee's Summit, MO) has a great website that is full of resources for any music teacher.  I would recommend the teacher resources section of the site, but there are tons of good examples and activities about how to incorporate music technology into everyday music education.

(As a side note...if you go to a state music conference and Greg Foreman is presenting, I would strongly recommend going to his sessions.  He has a lot of great ideas and is willing to share anything with a fellow music educator.)

ENJOY!

Music Theory Skills - Ear Training

Hey everyone! I can't speak for the rest of you, but I am always trying to find some new websites to help some of my private students with various musical concepts. This website just came to my attention from the Music Matters Blog. It's called the Theta Music Trainer and if you get time, check it out! I played the paddle game and it seems to really work on ear training. Although some of the games are not accessible without creating a FREE ACCOUNT, students should be able to get some good training time out of the non-account holder games.

3 year old Jonathan conducting to the 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th Sy...

Ok...so I have a feeling that this kid has some musical parents! Whether you like what you see or not...as a general music person teaching PreK-4th Grade, this is the kind of passion that makes me go to work everyday! I would love it if I had a classroom full of students with this excitement for music!

Jack Stamp - Why Music Matters

Hello!

Hello Everyone!  This blog was created as part of a set of requirements for the Kent State University Master of Music Education Program.  This blog will be used to reflect on various course readings as well as to jot down some thoughts throughout the program. 

For those of you that I have worked with before...welcome back to another course!  For those of you that are relatively new to the program, I look forward to working with you all.