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!)