Parents Archives

Using Small Instruments, Body Percussion, and Other Resources to Teach Rhythm

Mary Rogelstad - September 10, 2020

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

Sight-Reading Exercises for At-Home Music Practice

jwpepper - April 23, 2020

Sight-Reading Music Practice Now is the perfect time to work on sight-reading skills. Students can use their moments at home to strengthen their ability to...

Summer Resources for Young Pianists

Brendan Lyons - April 30, 2019

Believe it or not, summer vacation is not far off. Students are undoubtedly excited about that, and for piano teachers and the parents of...

Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs & Learning Disabilities

Mary Rogelstad - January 15, 2019

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

How Music Education Benefits the Brain

Dr. Nina Kraus - November 14, 2018

Processing sound is one of the human brain’s most difficult jobs. The task involves multiple brain systems that need to be able to respond...

How to Practice Music Effectively

jwpepper - February 2, 2018

There’s an old joke that just about every musician has heard that starts, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The punch line, of...

Music and the Brain

Brendan Lyons - January 8, 2016

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...

Band Camp: A Crash Course in Life Skills

Rebecca Minor - August 15, 2013

For some, band camp has concluded and the school year is underway; for others, camp is in full swing, complete with marching and maneuvering...