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Articles

  • Sweetwater’s First Year in B&O

    Mike Lawson | February 19, 2024It has been a little over a year since Sweetwater launched their band and orchestra (B&O) initiative. When the news hit, I thought, “Wow! Game-changer. If Sweetwater can do for the local band director and students what they have done so well for other musicians, that’s a big deal.” A year ago, we did an […] Read More...
  • Selecting a Classical Saxophone Mouthpiece for Band Performance

    Dr. Tracy Heavener | February 19, 2024When striving to produce a good saxophone tone, one of the most crucial pieces of equipment is the mouthpiece. There are many brands of saxophone mouthpieces being manufactured using a variety of materials, encompassing a wide price range and designed for performers at all levels of development. Beginning saxophonists usually play the stock mouthpieces sold […] Read More...
  • NAfME’s Transformation

    Mackie V. Spradley | February 19, 2024Prior to 2018, the music education community often articulated the need for NAfME to address topics centering diversity, inclusion, access, and equity; however, none of the previous actions created an impetus toward “doing the work” to make equity a foundational principle of NAfME’s identity. As an organization, NAfME kept “kicking the can down the road.” […] Read More...
  • Mind Your Own Business – Carnegie Hall’s B-Side Program Teaches The Business Side of the Music Industry

    Marty Steiner | February 19, 2024In November 2022, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute of Music announced a new youth-focused pilot program, titled “the B-Side.” The program is intended to introduce youth to many of the business functions in the music industry. Each of these functions also present future career opportunities for performers and non-performers, both instrumental and vocal.  Planning and preparation […] Read More...
  • Merging the Kodály and Orff Schulwerk Philosophies in the K-5 Classroom

    Spencer C. Thornton | February 19, 2024Music teachers must be flexible and adapt to each student’s unique learning style to help them achieve musical excellence. To enhance their comprehension of beat, rhythm, and melody, students may require additional opportunities to explore various instruments. Creative movement, singing, listening activities, and visual aids are all useful techniques for teaching elementary general music. This […] Read More...
  • Inspiring the Next Generation of Music Educators

    Bob Morrison | February 19, 2024It is no secret schools in the United States face the most significant educator workforce shortage in our Nation’s history. The combination of the extensive number of educators leaving the field as the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing encroachment of political issues into the schools, and a significant decrease in the number […] Read More...
  • Getting to the Point! Comparative Articulation for Woodwinds – Part 1

    Andrew J. Allen, Elise Naber Allen | February 19, 2024A director addresses their students:  “Brass, let’s articulate some eighth notes: Ta ta Ta ta Ta ta Ta ta! 1! 2! 3! 4!”  Perhaps there is a stray misfire here or there, but the results are quite pleasing!  The director then draws their attention to the woodwinds:  “Y’all are next!  Ta ta Ta ta Ta […] Read More...
  • Strategies for Improving the Sound of Your Wind Section

    Don Nathan | February 19, 2024Achieving a cohesive and balanced sound within the wind section of your orchestra or band can present many challenges. Here are a few strategies to maximize the beauty of sound in your ensemble.  Listening to develop a tonal concept Perhaps the most effective way for young musicians to begin developing their sound is to have […] Read More...
  • Who Should Attend Festivals? You!

    David Hensley | February 19, 2024The time is right for every ensemble to participate in a festival! Whenever our backs are facing an audience, our credibility is on the line as directors. Unlike a soprano or alto section whose many voices work together, we are the only one performing our role. Self-evaluation is a necessary part of conducting. Attending a […] Read More...
  • From Marine Band Concerto Competition Winner to Audition Winner

    SBO Staff | February 19, 2024Horn player Staff Sgt. Shawn Zheng, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is one of the newest members of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band – he just joined the ensemble in August 2023. He’s also a former winner (2017) of the Marine Band’s annual Concerto Competition for High School Musicians – the first of which to […] Read More...
  • Tone Deaf Comics

    Mike Lawson | February 19, 2024 Read More...
  • Conflict Resolution Solutions

    Dr. Matthew Arau | February 19, 2024Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Can’t we all just get along?” I certainly have, but the truth is in any organization or ensemble, disagreements, struggles, and conflict will arise just by the sheer fact that groups are composed of individuals. The question then is not whether conflict will happen, the question is how […] Read More...
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