We have been listening closely to your feedback and suggestions, and we are excited to announce that one of our most-requested features is available now: audio/video-only assignments!

Currently, all assignments created in MakeMusic Cloud start with a piece of music from our Music Catalog. While this provides a wide variety of options for music to play, we recognize that the key to musicianship doesn’t lie solely in the ability to perform music, and teachers often need to assess other skills as well.

Video assignments:

Audio assignments:

This new feature will expand the way you teach and assess in MakeMusic Cloud, offering greater flexibility in your assignments than ever before.

Here are some ways audio/video-only assignments will improve your teaching experience:

1. Assess foundational skills with precision
   Ever wished you could easily assess specific technical elements like a student’s embouchure on their clarinet or their finger placement on a string instrument? Now you can! Simply create a prompt that asks students to submit a short video demonstrating these skills, opening up entirely new avenues for targeted feedback and skill development.
2. Expand assignments beyond the Music Catalog
   Our Music Catalog is vast (over 24,000 titles and still growing!), but we know there’s a world of incredible music out there that might not be available. With audio/video-only assignments, the possibilities are limitless. You can now assign students to record themselves playing any piece of music, regardless of its availability in MakeMusic Cloud.
3. Better practice for beginners
   For teachers with beginning music students, they may not be ready to assign any music yet, regardless of whether it’s available in the Music Catalog. For beginners, teachers can now assign buzzing exercises, instrument assembly, or basic rhythm tests, which may be more suitable for their needs and current ability level.

By expanding the types of assignments you can create, you gain a more holistic and nuanced understanding of each student’s musical journey. This comprehensive assessment approach will undoubtedly lead to more informed teaching decisions and more targeted support for your students.

We are incredibly excited about the potential of audio/video-only assignments to transform your teaching experience and empower your students in new and exciting ways! This is more than just a new feature; it’s a testament to our commitment to continually evolving MakeMusic Cloud to meet the diverse and dynamic needs of music educators worldwide.

We can’t wait to see the innovative ways you’ll use this new tool to inspire, challenge, and connect with your students!