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  • 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...
  • The NAMM Show Highlights the Latest for Music Educators and Students

    Mike Lawson | January 8, 2024The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has an annual show. Now, you may think this is only for music industry insiders, but you’d be wrong. Yes, there are mind-blowing exhibits featuring everything under the sun connected with making music. But did you know NAMM has made you a priority?  Check out these ongoing programs […] Read More...
  • See What JEN Has Planned for Us!

    SBO Staff | November 1, 2023SBO+: I recently looked at the schedule for the Jazz Education Network (JEN) convention, to be held in New Orleans at the beginning of the New Year. I was absolutely blown away with the quality and quantity of the offerings. There are jazz instrumental groups from middle schools, high schools, universities, and the highest level […] Read More...
  • The 77th Annual Midwest Clinic

    Thomas Palmatier | October 15, 2023From the basics of teaching strings to refining your pedagogical string knowledge, this four-hour immersive session will provide non-string specialists with the information, tools, and resources needed to teach any string player. This informational and practical session will focus on the foundational principles of string playing and teaching. Instrument position, tone production, articulation, bowings, and […] Read More...
  • The Duke was Right: Things Ain’t What They Used to Be

    Tom Merrill | September 10, 2023My first new car cost me $10,000. It was a Chevy Cavalier. (Yes, I got it because I was really into drum corps at the time. Don’t judge.) It was also 1991. I would have loved to have paid only ten grand for the used car we recently bought for our son. But over the […] Read More...
  • Effective Parent Leadership in a Music Program Orchestrating Success

    Grissom High School BPA | August 20, 2023SBO+: In this issue we discuss many aspects of leadership in successful music programs. One of these is parent leadership. This spring I had the honor or being a clinician for the long-running Grissom Band Festival and saw an incredible parent organization at work. Here is their advice. Athriving music program relies not only on […] Read More...
  • Servant Leaders Inspire the Why – Pursuing Leadership Mastery, Getting the Most Out of Your Student Leaders

    Frank Troyka, Steve Andre | August 20, 2023Many factors go into developing an effective student leadership team. The most important thing you can do is be an effective role model. Your students and other faculty members are always watching you. Some of them are watching and maybe even hoping to see if you fail. We will all make mistakes. It is how […] Read More...
  • National Association for Music Education – Harnessing the Power of Relationships

    NAfME PresidentNational | March 13, 2023Now more than ever the world needs a deeper sense of community and unity.  As the dissonance of political agendas, global unrest, economic and social inequities, and even educational reform continues to divide various populations, one essential part of life that has historically brought people together and offers much-needed harmony, healing, and belonging is MUSIC.  […] Read More...
  • Preview of ASTA Conference

    Mike Lawson | February 19, 2023SBO+: We are pleased to begin an ongoing partnership with ASTA to bring expert string-focused content to our readers. The ASTA National Conference, Building a More Inclusive Community, will occur March 15-18 in Orlando, FL. The conference features over 216 educational sessions, ten masterclasses, seven new music reading sessions, sessions for high school students, mini sessions on […] Read More...
  • How to Thrive as a Choral Teacher

    Robyn Hilger | January 15, 2023All I ever wanted to be was a band director. From the first day of 6th grade band class, I knew I would be doing this for the rest of my life. Fast forward to my first teaching opportunity…a brand-new school, a principal who was a true fine arts supporter, and a budget. But there […] Read More...
  • PASIC Preview

    Joshua Simonds | November 13, 2022Early November is a time of great inspiration and community as drummers, percussionists, educators, and fans of all ages from all over the world make their way to Indianapolis, IN, for PASIC, the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention. This year, PASIC runs November 9-12, 2022, (with a virtual PASIC later) and you won’t want to […] Read More...
  • Non-String Specialists Teaching Strings – Lessons from Reggie and Sam

    Karin S. Hendricks | October 13, 2022Reggie Benson was one of the most dynamic and passionate band directors I have ever known. We shared an office in a small, rural middle school, where I could observe him teaching through the window in the door. I delighted in hearing his ensembles respond loudly and proudly to his suggestions for improvement. In all […] Read More...
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