Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Perspective

  •

    What Did We Learn from the Essays?

    Thomas Palmatier | June 11, 2023In this issue of SBO+ we announce the winners of our student essay contest, with student scholarships and teacher products generously donated by the NAMM Foundation, Adam Audio, Alfred, Casio, Focusrite, Hal Leonard, MakeMusic, and Yamaha. Nearly 1,500 students took the time to tell how their music teacher had made a positive impact on their […] Read More...

  • Good News!

    Mike Lawson | May 11, 2023With the beginning of spring comes festivals, ensemble trips, warmer weather, and of course, seasonal allergies. This spring, the NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants) was in April instead of its usual date in January. It was my first time attending NAMM, and it left me feeling optimistic about our profession as music educators. […] Read More...

  • Back to Normal (Sort of) – Now What?

    Thomas Palmatier | April 2, 2023It’s that time of year when ensembles are preparing for festivals, assessments, contests, or whatever terminology is used in your state. I was recently a clinician for the Colorado Concert Band Festival and thought I would share the good things I observed and areas where we can all improve. First, I loved their emphasis on […] Read More...

  • Working Together

    Thomas Palmatier | March 13, 2023In the past few issues of SBO+ we announced partnerships with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). In this issue we feature an article by Scott Sheehan, President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) that kicks off their partnership with SBO+ to serve you, the music […] Read More...

  • Relationships

    Thomas Palmatier | February 19, 2023Music, teaching, leadership, management, and daily life all have one thing in common. They are all about relationships. When people and organizations become partners in achieving a common goal, all of the parties benefit. The common goal is key. If that doesn’t serve as the guiding force in the relationship, then it’s not really a […] Read More...

  • A New Year and a New SBO+

    Thomas Palmatier | January 15, 2023As we look back at 2022 and ahead to 2023, it’s hard to underestimate the changes SBO+ has gone through. Our long-time editor, Mike Lawson, became owner and publisher. Soon after, I was “voluntold” (one of my favorite Army words), I’d be moving from a monthly columnist to editor, and just a few months after […] Read More...

  • Learning from the Masters

    Thomas Palmatier | December 15, 2022Often when you see a title like this you expect to see a collection of grizzled master educators imparting the wisdom of the ages. Indeed, SBO+ strives to bring you informative and relevant articles from leading music educators. But in this special issue, we bring you insights into the successes of wonderful music educators on […] Read More...

  • Let’s Get to the Growth Zone

    Thomas Palmatier | November 13, 2022For about a half century (gosh, that’s old!) I’ve been a band kid. I also played string bass in the orchestra, sang in the choir, starred in musical theater productions, sang in operas, and toured as a gigging musician playing electric bass and singing. But you are who you are, and I’ve always been a […] Read More...

  • Same Great Magazine – Only More

    Thomas Palmatier | October 13, 2022Every time I hear someone (especially a streaming service) say they’re going to start a “Plus” service it generally means it will no longer be free. This issue marks the premiere of SBO+ but it will always be at the same great price (free!). SBO+ welcomes our jazz brethren, chorus teachers, general music teachers, musical […] Read More...

  • Welcome Back to School!

    Thomas Palmatier | September 5, 2022As I talk with music educators around the country, an increasing number of you are being called upon to teach outside of the “comfort zone” you had coming out of college. Most of us graduated with an expectation of being a band director, orchestra director, or choral director, and many saw ourselves as even more […] Read More...

  • Growing Leaders

    Thomas Palmatier | August 2, 2022As you can imagine, the U.S. Army places a high premium on developing leaders and teaching principles of leadership. As an Army officer, I attended many, many leadership courses culminating in the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and then, their capstone program, the U.S. Army War College which awarded a Master of Strategic […] Read More...

  • Let Them Lead

    Thomas Palmatier | July 8, 2022In June, I was privileged to spend time working with talented young musicians at a band camp. They nervously filed in for the first rehearsal, not sure what this “Army guy” would be like. As they opened their folders for the first look at music we would be performing a few days later with only […] Read More...
The Latest News and Gear in Your Inbox - Sign Up Today!