Comments for Music Education Highlights

Comment on Small and Mighty by Miss Leslie

Miss Leslie — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:37:23 +0000

I completely agree with this article. Although I taught band at only one school, I had a wonderful band that got consistently high scores at State, even getting a ‘I’ rating one year, which was almost unheard of for a 1A school. There were only 100 kids in grades 7-12, and by the third year I had 38 of them in my band. I started in the fifth grade by working to get the band balanced – convincing them that there were other instruments besides saxophones and drums. I chose music that didn’t leave any of the sections exposed. If the music called for an instrument I didn’t have, I transposed that part for a similar instrument. I enlisted parents to help me get the principal to change the schedule so that Algebra I was no longer scheduled at the same time as band. I loved that little band so much and was so proud of their accomplishments. They’re all grown up with children of their own now, but I hope they look back with fondness at their days in band.

Wishing you a song in your heart,
Miss Leslie @ Music with Miss Leslie.com

Comment on Dealing with Instrumentation in Ensembles by Atle Bergseth

Atle Bergseth — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:06:31 +0000

If one are going to form a new concert band with very few members try to start with a wind quintet or dobbel wind quintet. That means 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 oboe, 2 bassons and 2 horns.
If you have about 15 persons then add 2 trumpets, one trombone an extra clarinet and percussion. 15-20 persons. Add one more trumpet, one more trombone the forth clarinet and
altsax. To get a good and well balanced sound between brass and woodwind even with 30-40 players you don´t need more then 11-12 brass instruments. 3 trumpets, 4 horn, 3 trombones a bariton and a tuba. When you have 45 or more
you can think 5-6 trumpets, 4 trombones and an extra tuba.

Atle Bergseth Norway

Comment on Deciphering IEP’S-What They Mean for Music Educators by Barbara Freedman

Barbara Freedman — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:08:47 +0000

Here’s something else to keep in mind. By law, it is up to every teacher to follow the IEP and modify their curriculum appropriately to the needs of the student as defined in the IEP. If not, the individual teacher is personally liable for any damages that may be awarded in a law suite won by the parent. That’s right people, don’t follow the IEP and loose your house & pension. Start reading those documents!

Comment on Tips for Teaching Jazz by Music Education Blog Carnival | sing imagination

Music Education Blog Carnival | sing imagination — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:57:17 +0000

[...] Heist gives Tips for Teaching Jazz posted on her blog, Music Education Highlights from an [...]

Comment on Student Teaching Week 11-Balance by elizabethheist

elizabethheist — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:15:50 +0000

Thanks for stopping by and also thanks for directing music ed majors to my site! I am currently in the job search process and am working on some posts related to that as well. Thanks again for stopping by and I look forward to learning from you and your site as well!

Comment on Getting Your Students to Transfer Knowledge by elizabethheist

elizabethheist — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:13:42 +0000

Thanks for stopping by! I haven’t taught full-time yet, but I definitely found this to be frustrating during my student teaching experience. This post was a reflection from a workshop on transferring knowledge so I thought I would share what I gained from attending. Glad you enjoyed and thanks again for stopping by!

Comment on Getting Your Elementary General Music Students Ready for Performance by elizabethheist

elizabethheist — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:08:33 +0000

Thanks for stopping by and for the wonderful comments! I am glad that you are finding some useful information. I am currently looking for a position and will hopefully also be starting my 1st year as a full time teacher, so I know the feeling. Good Luck and thanks again for stopping by!

Comment on Student Teaching Week 11-Balance by kwhiting644

kwhiting644 — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:29:10 +0000

I started out as a Music Ed major 26 years ago but became a special needs teacher then an elementary music teacher. I like a lot of your advice. I’ve started writing about how to get a job because a lot of people are searching info right now. I will direct music ed majors to your site, o.k.?

Comment on Getting Your Students to Transfer Knowledge by tkgoforth

tkgoforth — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:29:26 +0000

Hi, Elizabeth! I found you on the Music Educators Bloggers Tribe page on facebook! This is an EXCELLENT post! I do have the same frustration — the students being unable to apply their knowledge to a new situation. Your suggestions are well thought out and practical, and I will come back here to review!

God bless, and I will see you around!

Comment on Getting Your Elementary General Music Students Ready for Performance by Aya

Aya — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:28:53 +0000

Elizabeth,
You are turning this into one of the most helpful and informational blogs I have ever been on! (and that is saying alot!) I’ve only read a few posts so far, and am finding some great tools already! I’m starting my first year of full time teaching this year – K-12. Excited, but a bit overwhelmed.

Thanks for sharing. Keep it up!