CD Quality Audio over Digital Formats

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/research-says-young-listeners-may-embrace-cd-quality-audio-h.html

This talks about people choosing CD audio over mp3s or other digital formats.  I have a problem with the fact that this article does not address the capabilities of digital audio.  I remember when mp3s were exploding and it was the common belief that 128kbps bit rate was "CD Quality" which was definitely not the case.  Higher bit rates such as 256kpbs or 320kpbs were more like the real quality especially in the high frequencies.  Cymbals and high overtones always sounded garbled and annoying on 128kbps formats.

No Standardized Testing in the Arts

http://www.beatechie.com/archives/1972

Great article discusses why there is a good reason there is no standardized testing in the arts. We want people to be creative so we if expect them to all paint the same picture with the same colors or phrase a musical line only one way then we limit creativity.

Spreading out the ensemble

http://dougbutchy.edublogs.org/2012/02/21/spreading-out-the-ensemble/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ConfessionsOfABandDirector+%28Confessions+of+a+Band+Director%29

Something worth trying. This article suggests spreading out the ensemble to acheive a better sound and better listening environment for the students.  I could see how that could help the student be able to hear themself better and how they fit in the ensemble.  Sometimes when the students sit too close together they have a hard time hearing balance and blend because of the other sounds too close in proximity.

TMEA Tech in Classroom

http://www.tmea.org/resources/southwestern-musician/interactive/august-2012#Issues

This issue of the tmea journal has a great article on technology in the classroom.  It can be be found on page 38 of the interactive magazine.  It has a great list of links and great examples of how to use technology challenges in the classroom with only one computer or using an ipad.

Jazz at the Lincoln Center Resources

http://www.jalc.org/jazzED/s_index09.html

The jazz resources available from this site for free are amazing.  High quality animations and content make this a great place to go to if you are looking for ways to enrich your jazz class with something besides rehearsal.

Ear Master Site

http://www.earmaster.com/intervalsongs/
I stumbled across this site while creating diigo bookmarks.  It gives music examples of the various intervals.  Great for music theory ear training when learning intervals.  Also uses modern examples that the students have an easier time identifying and relating to.

http://mustech.net/2012/06/reflection-on-16-years-of-teaching-elementary-general-music/

I like reading articles from experienced teachers.  The way I see it, don't reinvent the wheel, see what other teachers have refined and start there. It will only accelerate your experience and in twenty years another teacher will do the same based on your experience.  Evolution in teaching!

Dyslexia

http://musicmattersblog.com/2012/07/17/understanding-students-with-dyslexia/

I find this in the classroom as well.  Students with dyslexia are great players often time, but I do see how it effects their ability to read music and spell chords.

http://mustech.net/2012/07/finding-new-music/

This article discusses ways to discover new music.  There is so much out there and it can be difficult.  Here are some cool tools and ideas when looking.  The new Songza app is nice because users create the playlists. I find this useful for trying to find concert band music that is of like nature.  Radio apps like Pandora have trouble really locking into wind band literature that is varied.  For example you can put in Marine Band radio as a station but then all you get is marches and not necessarily other styles of wind band literature.

http://musicedresearch.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/online-music-lessons/

This is interesting statistics regarding the use of video lessons vs face to face.  It is easy to do lessons from a distance with skype or other video conferencing tools.  It still allows the interaction between teacher and does not limit students to a certain area.  Theoretically they could have a video lesson with anyone anywhere with a webcam and program.

Noteflight - Bicycle Built for Two

http://jonny-smartblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/8-advantages-you-gain-from-playing.html

A great list of key points when advocating for instrumental music.

http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/14833004

A strategy for implementation of composition and improv in junior high band.

http://stengel99.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/routines/

Classroom Routine Suggestions

http://teachingmusic.posterous.com/youre-not-the-teacher-you-could-be-6796

A good reminder that we must always be enhancing our teaching.