Traditional large ensemble programs face unprecedented challenges in 2026. Here’s how forward-thinking educators are adapting to keep students engaged.
In a recent TED Talk, music educator Kevin Droe highlights a growing challenge: traditional music programs are struggling to stay relevant for many students.
Another month brings another wave of exciting additions to the MakeMusic Cloud library! Perfect for fun summer practicing.
Let’s be honest– music teachers deserve a standing ovation every week of the year. But Teacher Appreciation Week gives us the perfect excuse to turn it up a notch and really show our gratitude.
Spring break has come and gone, and while the respite from the day-to-day happenings of middle school is much appreciated, it is tough to quiet the band director’s brain and not look to the final weeks of school ahead.
We’re back with another round of exciting updates to the MakeMusic Cloud library! Whether you’re planning your next performance or just looking for something new to practice, there’s plenty to discover in this month’s additions.
Scales are a musician’s vocabulary. Scales allow instrumentalists to connect with their instruments, just like learning to read connects the child to the world around them.
As the season approaches, now is the perfect time to prepare for your December concerts! Browse holiday music for concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and choir that is available in MakeMusic Cloud with these playlists full of holiday cheer.
The two words we hear in education more than anything else: Classroom Management. One of my former colleagues and close friends has a plaque in her office that says, “I teach music, what’s your superpower?” No group of words has ever been more true.
What an exciting (and busy) time of year! No doubt you are deep into rehearsals for your December performances and then a well-deserved holiday break.
Alicia DeSoto & Chris Meredith are currently band directors at Lewisville High School in Lewisville ISD, TX.
Literacy: the ability to read and write Music Literacy: the ability to read, write, and play music
Click here to read part 1.