Features Archives

Nashville Symphony and ALIAS violinist Zeneba Bowers Uses Her Talent and Voice to Inspire Young Musicians
Mike Lawson | January 10, 2019
“My family couldn’t afford violin lessons or a violin,” recalls Zeneba Bowers. “My elementary school gave me a free violin and my first year of lessons. But this was back when we actually had music education in public schools.”
Read More...
Rebuilding the Bands by the Bay
Mike Lawson | December 4, 2018
In September the North Bay Haven Charter Academy Marching Band and its auxiliary units brought home the first-ever regional first place of any Bay County, Florida high school.
Read More...
Introductions Showcases Chicago’s Young Talent: Broadcast from Millennium Park celebrates classical music students
Mike Lawson | November 4, 2018
Michael San Gabino grew up in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois, learning to play saxophone. In college he studied music and creative nonfiction writing at Northwestern University, and he became the drum major in the Wildcat marching band. All his life, he hoped to make a career in music.
Read More...
Rehearsing a Marching Band Front Line Ensemble
Mike Lawson | November 4, 2018
I am going to discuss rehearsal techniques for training a mallet and percussion section in your marching band. Many of these techniques can also be used in regular band rehearsal. Here are some helpful hints.
Read More...
How to Succeed at Your First (or Next!) Job
Mike Lawson | November 4, 2018
If you are (or are soon to be) a band or orchestra teacher, you may wonder what someone who spent nearly four decades in military music can offer for advice on this topic.
Read More...
You Can Teach Percussion (Even if You Don’t Play)
Mike Lawson | November 4, 2018
I have always felt that percussion students can easily be overlooked, maybe because they are way back in the room, but after many years of teaching, I have also come to realize that some teachers may not feel prepared or are intimidated when teaching percussion— especially as a non-specialist.
Read More...
Sousa in World War One
Mike Lawson | November 4, 2018
Of all the bandmasters active in 1917, it should come as no surprise that John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) would head the list of those who served during World War I.
Read More...
Independent Summer Music Camps
Mike Lawson | August 30, 2018
Mention summer camp and visions of marshmallows in the campfire, poison ivy, and bee stings come to mind. Perhaps a fond memory about singing around that camp fire also comes back. (We don’t write about those other memories!)
Read More...
Festivals at Sea (and More!) with Performing Arts Consultants!
Mike Lawson | August 30, 2018
Getting a large group of students to any destination of any distance for any kind of event is a challenge.
Read More...
The CMA Foundation Donates Millions to Music Education
Mike Lawson | August 4, 2018
The Country Music Association (CMA), established the 501(c) (3) CMA Foundation with a commitment to improving and sustaining music education programs across the United States, “working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education and every music educator has the support and resources needed to create a thriving program.”
Read More...
The Inside Voice: An Interview with Concertmaster David Kim
Mike Lawson | August 4, 2018
David Kim paused after playing a few exquisite bars of music on his Italian violin. The concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra seemed concerned that his instrument may be echoing too loudly across the sweeping multistory lobby of the Kimmel Center, where other people were working or visiting. This moment during our Pepper interview showcased both Kim’s humble nature and his concern for others – along with his extraordinary talent.
Read More...
Symphonic Youth
Mike Lawson | July 16, 2018
School in Miami, Florida generally ends in late May or early June, not to start again until after Labor Day.
Read More...