Author: Mary Rogelstad

Many music teachers are sharing plans to add more rhythm lessons to their curriculum this fall since these exercises can be conducted in all sorts of scenarios. Students can practice…

The renowned St. Olaf Choir in Minnesota had to be creative when it was looking for ways to mark its conductor’s 30th year of service this spring. Anton Armstrong is…

In the United States, the Fourth of July often is associated with trips to the pool, good food, and fireworks. But it isn’t the only day during the warmer months…

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

More than three years ago, an effort was launched at J.W. Pepper to make it easier for music teachers and directors to find compositions that work well for their ensemble….

There is much discussion about incorporating more social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools during the next school year. Music class is certainly one of the perfect places to help students grow…

It’s no secret that music is used in innumerable ways to create connections, soothe troubles, and bring back memories. Parents who say they’d never sing in public will serenade their…

As the school year winds down, jazz is a perfect music genre for students to explore. The elements of jazz—including improv, blue notes, and polyrhythms—can be used by all age…

With the unexpected changes this year, many students may be missing out on key moments that encourage them to come back to music class year after year. Directors and educators…

J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc. Creates a New Tool to Overcome an Unexpected Barrier to Music Education Update: This service is now being extended. Teachers will be able to use…

More time at home means more time to practice and create music. But keeping motivated, organized, and stress-free can be challenging. That is when music experts who have worked on…

For centuries, scientists and the public alike have tried to determine if talent genetically runs in families when it comes to music. There are certainly many cases where that has…

It’s only once every four years we need to remember to add 29 to the end of February. But leap year is so much more than a day – it’s…

There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birthday in December 2020. Numerous special events are planned around the globe this year in…

World-renowned English composer John Rutter says it can be lovely when a conductor surprises him with a different take on one of his pieces. That happened in a high-profile way…

One viral video revealed the power of music in a way few other film clips could. It shows a patient suffering from severe dementia who was given headphones with his…

Some of the most well-known songs you may hear during trick-or-treating time were written in a flash but have endured for many, many years. Inspired by monsters or general silliness,…

It’s said the first thing Fred Rogers did when he returned home from emergency surgery for stomach cancer was go straight to his piano. His wife Joanne has shared with…

Before the internet, shopping from catalogs was how business was done, and the music industry is no exception. Catalogs have been used to sell everything from seeds to chickens to…

Duct tape, angry piñatas, healing, determination – all of these diverse topics and more are covered by choral composer Mark Burrows in his pieces. The talented composer has amassed a…

The first year of teaching didn’t go entirely well for award-winning music educator Victor de los Santos. He was assistant band director at Santa Ana High School in California and…