THE J. W. PEPPER BLOG | DELIVERING MUSIC SINCE 1876

THE J. W. PEPPER BLOG | DELIVERING MUSIC SINCE 1876

THE J. W. PEPPER BLOG | DELIVERING MUSIC SINCE 1876

August 16, 2023 by Julia Anderson

Preparing the Body for Marching Band with Vincent E. Thomas

Vincent E. Thomas is a professional choreographer and Professor of Dance at Maryland’s Towson University with extensive drum corps and color guard experience. Last month, our team visited Towson to meet Vincent and see his techniques in action.

March 15, 2023 by jwpepper

An Interview with Richard Saucedo

Richard Saucedo is an internationally renowned composer, arranger, adjudicator, keynote speaker, guest conductor, and clinician. He has written numerous acclaimed pieces of music for marching band, concert band, choir, and orchestra, and he served as a music educator in Carmel, Indiana for decades.

January 18, 2023 by jwpepper

Understanding Proposition 28 – Resources from CMEA

It’s an exciting time to be a music teacher in California! Proposition 28, a California ballot initiative that guarantees additional funding for arts and music instruction and programming in K–12 public schools statewide, passed in the November 2022 general election.

November 10, 2022 by Julia Anderson

Our Guide to Choosing a Microphone

As a music teacher or ensemble director, microphones play an important role in your work. Whether you need to amplify musicians for a large performance, you’re recording an ensemble to enter a competition, or you’re outfitting a music lab, you’ll need to select microphones and audio equipment. Check out JW Pepper's Guide on Choosing a Microphone!

20+ Surefire Ways to Warm Up Your Choir

What types of vocal warm-ups do you use for your choir rehearsals? The answer to this question can take on myriad forms depending on...

Vocal Belting 101: How to Help Your Students Use Their Full Voice

When I was an undergrad, I was told that belting would ruin my voice. I shunned the music I loved and focused solely on...

Our Top 10 Basic Library Titles for Concert Band, Choir, and Orchestra

No matter what type of ensemble you lead, choosing repertoire can be a major challenge. You don’t want to bore your students with music...

How to Establish Classroom Routines and Why

Picture a successful band, orchestra, or choir rehearsal. Students have their instruments and music at the ready and are focused on the conductor. They...

Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs & Learning Disabilities

Dr. Alice Hammel remembers when Vinnie started school. He had frequent outbursts and struggled throughout most of his elementary school years; eventually, he was...

16 New & Powerful Choral Songs to Help Students During Hard Times

Choral Music has always had the ability to inspire and heal wounds, and now many songs are taking on a new meaning as teachers...

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