AMusEd

Combating Senioritis

It's that time of year: the end of the year slog towards graduation and for many of us the rehearsal of coronation marches that come with it. How do you combat senioritis in your classroom? What happens when it trickles down to affect your younger students? How do you combat it in yourself? We discuss dealing with the end of the year drain.

Improving the social aspect of your ensembles

Last week we talked about student perspectives on fun, this week we look at improving that perspective.

"Band just isn't fun anymore"

Student perceptions, expectations and enrollment numbers are coming to a head. What do you do when a kid says point blank: "Band just isn't fun anymore?"

Fundraising

Yes, Fundraising the director's least favorite word. We bring on our friend Meredith a middle school band director, to talk about some alternatives she's found to selling stuff your students' families don't need.

Recording Your Ensemble

Sus leads the discussion this week on the benefits of and some of the best practices for recording your enesmbles.

Performing as an educator

Recorded on Easter. In the evening. Which means beer and not coffee. Which means Olin giggles a lot. Enjoy!

"Literature Review"

Each of us grabbed a book we've read that influenced our teaching, or have been meaning to read and now had an excuse, to recommend to our listeners. Links to the books and more information at amusedcast.org

Vocal Modeling

This episode we talk about vocal modeling in your classroom, regardless of ensemble and its importance

Advanced Degrees and Summer Residency

Want to go back to school but don't want to leave your job? Don't know what to do? That's okay, neither does Veronica. This week we discuss what we value in a masters' degree program and the pros and cons of summer residency programs.

Practice

This week Olin recounts different philosophies of practice. Sus is away so we naturally nerd out about band.

Student Reflection on Performance

This week we talk about the importance of and different strategies we use to help students reflect on their performance.

Balancing your concert programming

We discuss the discoveries and errors we've made in programming for educational ensembles.

Grading for Participation

This week we talk about grading for participation in ensembles; the pros, the cons, the necessity and the pitfalls of doing so.

Tackling Talent

We discuss our perception of the public misconception of talent, what it is, what it isn't and how it affects our students.

Sight Reading in the Choral Classroom with Emily Mercado

We have a guest who teaches choir! No really. It's not a joke.

Percussion with Jonathan Withem

John's percussion instructor drops by to talk about some strategies and resources for teaching percussion.

Julie Stephens (Again)

Julie's Back!This time the topic she brought with her is about inclusion strategies for students who may otherwise not be able to participate in a music program.

Midwest 2015 Interview no. 3: Brad Townsend

Midwest 2015 Interview #2: Michael Sweeney

We found a slightly quieter location and sat down with Michael Sweeney to talk about literature selection.

Midwest 2015 Interview #1: Duane Hill

Duane Hill is the director of the Texas Tech University "Goin' Band from Raiderland" as well as director of the Concert Band. He holds a bachelor of secondary music education from Texas Tech University under Keith Bearden and Christopher Anderson and a master of music in conducting from Dr. Sarah McKoin.