In last month’s blog post, How to Establish Classroom Routines and Why, we discussed the importance of establishing consistent routines and policies in the...
Picture a successful band, orchestra, or choir rehearsal. Students have their instruments and music at the ready and are focused on the conductor. They...
The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute was founded in 1939 by a middle school music teacher and has grown to include six divisions: Philadelphia...
Teachers know the benefit of sharing digital sheet music (ePrint) legally with their students. In a school setting, it's crucial to involve the principal...
These are exceptional times. Schools across the U.S. are working to overcome enormous challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Music educators have the opportunity...
Virtual choirs have become more popular than ever due to our current need to stay socially distanced from fellow musicians. The publishers Pepper works...
I think we can all agree Social-Emotional Learning and Trauma-Informed Education are making their way into the teaching mainstream. There are a variety of...
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...
In this challenging time, the music education community has been doing what it does best: working together to keep students engaged in deeply meaningful...
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...
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...
Now that summer is in full swing, there’s time to kick back
and enjoy some light reading. There are innumerable books that can inspire,
entertain and...
Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre and the late “Mother of Hubble” Nancy Grace Roman had something in common when they were children: they both enjoyed...
Updated January 2020
The idea for Black History Month was developed during a difficult time for African Americans in the United States. In 1926, segregation...
Dr. Alice Hammel remembers when Vinnie started school. He had frequent outbursts and struggled throughout most of his elementary school years; eventually, he was...
It never failed. Late November into December, when my performing groups were approaching the final stages of concert preparation, one or more students would...
Summer can be a welcome break from the usual school-year routine and offers some unique opportunities for your private piano students. No school (or...
Music directors are busy people. One of our great joys at Cut Time is getting to know directors and learning about their programs. Here are 10 things directors say help them have a more successful school year: 1. Eliminate surprise. Set calendar reminders to prepare for upcoming concerts and other events. Work a little bit ahead to avoid compounded stress around performance time.
Over a period of two years, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has strengthened its partnership with an exciting program that is building...
There are many moving parts involved in managing music ensembles. Between keeping track of inventory, communicating with students and parents, coordinating volunteers, planning trips,...
Like many other teachers, I have been exposed to learning management systems (LMSs) through professional development, online courses and even some face-to-face coursework. Early...
Music classrooms are inherently noisy. First there is the ventilation system to compete with, which is especially difficult in the large spaces we typically...
Choosing the right accessories for your ensemble can be tricky, especially on a budget. Some accessories can greatly affect the overall sound and efficacy...
In March, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and music associations across the nation celebrate Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM). It is...
Every spring, orchestra teachers anticipate getting next year’s rosters. They give a good indication of the instrumentation they'll be working with in the coming...
Pepper's ePrint service is getting even better, and we can’t wait to share the improvements with our customers. Since its introduction, ePrint has grown in popularity...
Education is the lifeblood of any successful society, preserving the best skills and techniques by passing them down to future generations. The music world...
In 2012 Pennsylvania piloted a new teacher evaluation program called the Teacher Effectiveness System. By 2014, every district in the Commonwealth was using this...
Performance planning is rarely the highlight of any music director’s season. Designing your concert may be enjoyable in itself, but the stress that comes...
It’s no secret that taking part in musical activities has a significant positive effect on young people’s academic achievement. There are countless news stories...
In this installment of Capturing Your Concert: Simple Tips for Recording, we are going take a look at handheld recorders which are designed specifically...
Sharon Burch has always been passionate about music education, especially for elementary-age students. From a young age, she loved music and wanted to bring...
Much has been written about recruitment and retention for music programs. With the uptick in access to social media, there are even more opportunities...
