The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute was founded in 1939 by a middle school music teacher and has grown to include six divisions: Philadelphia...
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...
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...
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...
In this challenging time, the music education community has been doing what it does best: working together to keep students engaged in deeply meaningful...
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...
For nearly a century, the Orff approach has been used to help children explore the world of music. This experience usually includes opportunities for...
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...
Most people know Leonard Bernstein as a world-renowned composer and conductor whose contributions to music and culture can be heard in concert halls around...
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...
One of the staples for any general music classroom, regardless of level, is instruments: barred instruments, recorders, rhythm instruments, percussion instruments, piano or electronic...
Music classrooms are inherently noisy. First there is the ventilation system to compete with, which is especially difficult in the large spaces we typically...
In March, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and music associations across the nation celebrate Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM). It is...
Education is the lifeblood of any successful society, preserving the best skills and techniques by passing them down to future generations. The music world...
Wynn-Anne Rossi is known to the music world as a talented pianist, dynamic composer, and dedicated music educator. Throughout her life, she has combined...
In 2012 Pennsylvania piloted a new teacher evaluation program called the Teacher Effectiveness System. By 2014, every district in the Commonwealth was using this...
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...
Recently, Pepper had the privilege to speak with Debra Reilly, a 2015 Grammy nominee for the Music Educator Award. Ms. Reilly teaches and directs the string programs for Springhouse and Orefield...
In Part 1 we discussed practical considerations in choosing repertoire, such as the makeup of your performing group and the expectations of your intended...
Of the responsibilities that music teachers have, perhaps one of the most challenging is that of finding and choosing quality repertoire. With the amount...
Despite the fiscal challenges classical music faces in today’s changing musical landscape, I’m very grateful for the few remaining radio stations dedicated to classical...
Internationally recognized as World Teachers’ Day, October 5 is a special day to celebrate the essential role of teachers. Established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational...
Selecting appropriate materials for the classroom is one of many challenges elementary music teachers face. Working with multiple grade and skill levels in itself...
With marching band season gearing up once again, directors find themselves looking to their flock of students in search of that indispensible percentage that...
On July 23, 2012, J.W. Pepper hosted Summer Sing, a choral music reading session in the company’s corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania. While reading sessions...
Crystal Desch and I recently interviewed Robert D. Vandall by phone. Robert Vandall is one of this country's most prolific and popular composers of educational...
Is it possible for music education to expand the minds and imagination, as well as inspire the creative energy of today’s youth? Let’s take a close look...
Mariachi music has emerged as the primary musical representation of nationalism in Mexico and is growing increasingly popular in the southwest and other areas...
I was pleasantly surprised to come across Carmine Caruso’s Musical Calisthenics for Brass in our online database. I studied trombone with Carmine from 1968...
In an era where The Arts seem to play…ahem… “second fiddle” to other disciplines in our schools and communities, it's important we support educators by recognizing those...
Concert etiquette is important as it shows respect for performers and fellow audience members alike. Musicians who pursue their craft in earnest grow to...
