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Professional Development

You Don’t Owe Social Media Anything

Visibility online is not the same as value in your classroom, so focus on music-making not creating content.

Why Patience Wins Over Panic

It’s easy to think that kids don’t care, but with patience, repetition, praise and steady leadership, you’ll notice positive change.

10 Habits That Make Teaching Harder Than It Needs to Be

If you’re doing any of these things, stop! There are easier and more effective ways to show how dedicated you are.

Work Smarter Especially When You’re Burned Out

Don’t get bogged down with busy, unnecessary tasks. Streamline your routines and focus on what matters to be present for your students.

Your Principal Probably Doesn’t Understand Your Job

Advocate for your program, your students and yourself, and show administrators the importance of music education.

Metacognition in the Music Classroom

Help students become more aware of their thinking process as they assess their performance to become independent musicians.

Rehearsal Shouldn’t Be a Punishment

You don’t have to run your classroom like a drill sergeant to get positive results.

Some Parents Are Just Going to Be Mad

It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong, but you do need to deal with upset parents calmly and as clearly as possible.

Five Steps to a Productive First Five Years

Set yourself up for success by prioritizing work-life balance, effective job searches and interviews, organization, relationships within the school and district, and working with band parents.

AI Won’t Replace You, But It Could Save You Time

How music educators can successfully use artificial intelligence without feeling like a fraud.

First-Year Money Advice I Wish I Had

Make a financial plan and stick to it — your future self is depending on you.

Band Director Reboot

All educators can benefit from the lessons offered by a veteran music teacher who returns to the classroom after 18 months, determined to keep his energy, passion and joy at the forefront.

Use Fusion to Engage Students

Combine two or more genres of music to bridge the gap between music your students know and the realms of classical, jazz and world music.

Stop Trying to Be Your Old Band Director

It’s perfectly acceptable to borrow and copy teaching techniques from a mentor, but at some point, you need to forge your own path to best reach your students.

You Don’t Need to Have It All Together

Students don’t need a perfect teacher — they need a present one, so just keep showing up.

8 Hard Realities of Teaching

If you’ve encountered these challenging teaching situations, don’t be discouraged. Instead, look at them through a positive lens!

Why I Keep Coming Back to BOA Summer Camp

A young music educator attended the Bands of America Summer Camp on a scholarship and became hooked. He now serves on the camp staff and encourages other music educators to attend camp, too.

Summer of Learning

Attend a summer workshop — most run from one day to one week — to enhance your skills as a music educator.

Let Students Take Control During Rehearsals

Challenge your musicians to handle score study and rehearsals on their own — and even perform without you conducting them — in a unique and effective teaching model.

Mastering Tomorrow Starts Tonight!

Consider tomorrow’s actions the night before and set yourself up for success. Make your future lives easier and focus your brainpower on the things that matter.

New Conference Connects Music Industry and Education

Musikfest Music Industry and Education Conference presents diverse topics, perspectives and approaches.

Music Class is the Ultimate Life Skills Workshop

In your classroom, students can learn skills far beyond music that will help them prepare for the future.

Thinking About Grad School?

Considerations, modalities and majors — decisions you must make to become a “master” of your domain as you pursue a graduate degree.

AI in the Music Classroom

Music educators must consider the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, which can lead to a more engaging and empowering music learning experience for all students.

Stealth Exercise

With “exercise snacks,” you can squeeze in a workout, even during a busy teaching day.

Requisite Recommendations for First-Year Music Teachers

The 2025 “40 Under 40” educators offer essential tips for new music teachers to help them succeed and thrive.

Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dana Sedatole

From serving as a head band director teaching beginning 6th grade instrumentalists to addressing the needs of over 20,000 music educators as president of the Texas Music Educators Association, Dana Pradervand-Sedatole has done it all! Her methodology of keeping fundamentals at the core of her teaching has led her students to become more responsible for […]

Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dr. Sarah McKoin

Dr. Sarah McKoin is a passionate educator dedicated to discovering art at any level of performance. She serves as the Director of Bands and Division Chair of Conducting and Ensembles at Texas Tech where she oversees all facets of the University band program, including four concert bands and two athletic bands as well as mentoring […]

Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dr. Dennis Llinas

Vitality! Fervor! Passion! Understanding! Dr. Dennis Llinás doesn’t hide his emotional investment in anything that he does. As an educator, conductor, and composer, Dennis deems music to enrich the lives of everyone involved in the music-making experience … not only the music-makers but the audience members through inventive and engaging programming. He approaches his life’s […]

It’s OK to be Bored

Recognize that the ordinary, routine and predictable days of the school year will lead to the finest moments in your teaching career.

Concert Chairs to Marching Squares

Try these 8 tips to help students switch instruments.

Spooky Sound Mysteries

From haunting to downright bizarre, these sounds make for a fun fall exploration with your music students.

Score Study Comes First!

Seven steps to help you make time to dive into score study.

How to Effectively Partner with School Administration

Fostering a close-knit teacher-administrator relationship will pay dividends for your music program.

Create an Emergency Bag for Work

Have these 15 items on hand to handle minor emergencies that you will inevitably run into.

Exercise Can Help Fine-Motor Skills

Research suggests that a burst of exercise can boost the fine-motor skills required to learn an instrument.

Compartmentalizing Stress in Teaching

All music educators deal with stress. The key is how you handle it. Here are some tips to navigate everyday stressors.

The “No-Shortcuts” Approach

Putting in the work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it’ll give you a leg up as you progress in your career.

You Will Never Feel “Ready,” But You Can Be Prepared

Nine recommendations for music education majors and novice in-service music educators to hone their skills.

The Daily Grind: Find Joy in the Routine

Embrace these five truths and you’ll succeed and thrive as a music educator.

Healthy Tips for Educators

Try these five tips to keep your health in check — you’ll be taking better care of yourself and your students!

Teaching is Planting Seeds

Patience is required to see the benefits of your teaching efforts.

Give Up Control

When given the opportunity, students reach farther and achieve more, so let them take charge and see what unfolds.

The Benefits of Learning Another Instrument

By playing multiple instruments, you will broaden your musical perspective and be a better composer and arranger.

Sustainable Excellence

Adapt your educational visions for community needs without compromising standards. Emphasize long-term commitment and realistic goal setting.

Prepare for Spring Concerts

As the New Year begins, if you haven’t thought about your Spring concerts, you better start now! Here are some things to consider as you prepare for your next performances to close out the school year!

Essential Tips for First-Year Music Educators

The 2024 “40 Under 40” educators offer must-do and must-try tips to new music teachers to help them through their first year of teaching.

Master the Art of School Communication

In addition to the actual message, the method and frequency of communication with band families are critical. Try these tips on improving the dissemination of important information.

Teach With Flow: Protect the Time You Have

Try these practical techniques for minimizing distractions, automating routines and engaging students in a truly immersive musical experience.

Don’t Get Trapped by “The Checklist”

Rethink the conventional checklist that most music educators try to follow and explore alternative, enriching paths to success for both you and your students.

Increase Your Positivity with the 3:1 Ratio

Try the praise-to-criticism ratio to help students feel encouraged and safe in the music classroom.

Combining Science and Music

Consider collaborating with a colleague and coming up with an interdisciplinary lesson plan or course to show students the breadth and depth of music.

What Makes a Teacher an Expert?

A new study offers insights into the art and science of being a music educator.

Co-Directors and Assistants: Step Out of the Shadows

If you are in a secondary role to a band director, arm yourself with practical tips and insights to maximize your impact in the classroom.

5 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

It’s exciting to teach composition, but what do you do when your students hit a creative roadblock?

Reclaim Time

These small purchases, adjustments and mindsets will help save time and make your job easier.

Off the Page, Part 2: Explore Simple Melodies by Ear

In part 1 of this series, we looked at five ways to go “off the page” and use pop music to teach musical principles. In part 2, we will look at ear training.

Student Teaching 101: A Guide to Success

Step into your student teaching role fully prepared with this all-encompassing guide of practical tips and a handy checklist to help you thrive in the classroom and beyond.

5 Teacher Tools that Will Maximize Your Efficiency

Check out these ways to manage and streamline your workload.

How to Navigate Student Resilience

Help your students go from apprehension to applause with these tips on building their confidence through customization, collaboration and communication,

Refueling for the Educator’s Soul

When the going gets tough, rekindle your love for the profession with these 10 simple yet meaningful guidelines and ideas.

Why You Need to Be a Good Conductor

Conductors do more than keep time. Here are five reasons to work at your conducting skills so you can lead and inspire your ensembles.

Today’s Tasks that Pay off in May

Elevate your music class from novice to virtuoso with these five practical, long-term strategies that maximize rehearsal time and transform student musicians.

15 Ways to Navigate Imposter Syndrome

From self-doubt to standing ovations, learn how to conquer the feeling of being a “musical fraud” and truly own your role as a music educator. You’re not just playing notes, you’re playing a pivotal role in your students’ lives.

Expert Tips for Navigating Your First Festival

Be prepared for this exciting step in your music educator career with our real-world guide that includes detailed planning mixed with the need for adaptability so you can enjoy the moment.

Music Tech Series, Part 2: Elementary Music Technology

See how National Standards can meet music technology competencies for elementary school students with some fun science, STEAM and creative composition lessons.

20 Ways to Set the Tempo for a Great School Year

Remember these quick practical tips, foundational ideas, insights and philosophies to remind you why you chose teaching music as your career.

All-Day Energy Hacks for Music Teachers

Don’t tire out during the school day. Try these unusual ways of keeping your energy high.

What To Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Oftentimes, new band directors find that they don’t know what to do to improve the sound of their bands. Don’t throw in the towel. Lean on mentors and colleagues, do research and practice!

3 Homework Activities that Encourage Parent Involvement

Enlist parents to reinforce the lessons from music class — these fun activities are sure to be enjoyed by students and their families.

Mariachi and Mindfulness

Gratitude, sharing and using grouding words are some ways that members of Mariachi Joya and their music director find balance.

10 Ways to Make Your Students’ Day

Kids are excited to see teachers who are excited to see them, so bring your A-game every day.

The Importance of Commissioning Music

Finding new composers and securing funds to commission pieces is worth the time and effort. Not only are you building diverse repertoire and expanding the canon, but you are providing your students with the unique opportunity to meet composers and dissect their work.

Caring Comes in Many Forms

With the recent and much-needed push to be kinder, teachers must balance caring with delivering feedback in a positive way.

Music Tech Series, Part 1: Getting Started Teaching the DAW

Transform music education by using new technologies and low-cost gear for recording and composing.

Off the Page, Part 1: Bring Creativity into the Band Room

Don’t rely on method books! Go “off the page” and try these five ways to use pop music to allow students to learn musical principles in real time.

Video Game Music Composition: An Art Form

There are many ways to create music for video games. Find what works best for you!

8 Unconventional Rehearsal Tips

Try these tips to challenge your students to listen, react, communicate, perform and ultimately, to be musical!

An Easy Way to Rewire Your Brain

A mindfulness technique called Notice-Shift-Rewire can have lasting effects.

Music on a Cart: Make it Work

We’ve all heard of art on a cart, but what about music on a cart? You can store and carry all you need in a cart to teach music lessons!

Engage Parents as Partners

Work with and utilize parents to help your program succeed. Bring them into the fold, give them ownership and allow relationships to thrive.

NCKP

The 2023 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy Welcome music educators! Our team is looking forward to meeting you at this year’s NCKP Conference in Chicago, and serving your professional needs in any way we can. The National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy gives us an opportunity to connect with all of you and to remind you that […]

5 Recruitment Tips You Must Try!

Recruitment is a big part of ensemble directors’ jobs. Don’t look at it as a burden, but rather as a way of turning potential students into “our kids.”

RAMP: A Summer Camp for Music Teachers

Learning through action is a core philosophy for a new professional development conference for music educators that takes place alongside a music camp for students.

Be an Effective Teacher-Leader

Be an agent of change, advocate for the true purpose of education, take initiative to solve problems and share your experiences with other educators.

6 Websites that Help Me Arrange

Explore these sites to learn all the possible information you need about a track, which will make your life as a music educator much easier.

How a Classical Musician Directed a Jazz Band

You don’t have to choose between classical and jazz. If you are a trained classical instrumentalist, leap into the world of jazz!

Before You Quit

Are you thinking of throwing in the towel? Before you make any drastic changes, examine how you got here.

Incorporate Popular Music into Traditional Ensembles

Involve your students to infuse current and popular music into performances.

5 Ways to Conquer Procrastination

Wait! Don’t Put Off Reading this Article!

My Introduction to Orff

Exploring the social aspect of music as proposed by Carl Orff in the 1920s, opened a music educator’s eyes.

Teach Composition to Older Beginners Using Kodály Philosophies

The Kodály Concept, which focuses on singing and physical movement, is a great way to help high schoolers connect to music.

Proactive, Reactive and Restorative Disciplinary Measures

Understanding why kids misbehave is complex and challenging. Here are some tips on the best ways to handle disciplinary matters.

Advice for First-Year Music Educators

The 2023 “40 Under 40” educators offer useful tips to new music teachers to help them through their stressful first year.

Celebrate Failure: Teach Through Music

Accepting failure is crucial to helping students become lifelong learners who are self-motivated to succeed.

The Performance Mind Game

Try these student-centered approaches to maximize the moment — before, during and after every performance.

Subbing Success

Being a substitute teacher requires flexibility, organization and compassion. Try these tips to succeed.

Shine the Spotlight on Community Engagement

College music programs act as liaisons and bring numerous stakeholders together to make a positive impact in the communities they serve.

Develop Atomic Habits for Your Program

A key to success is to have a consistent system of routines that you and your students follow.

Work With Your Strengths

What is the VIA Survey, and can it help reveal your super teaching powers?