Every week we have Chair Test Tuesday. I feel like weekly chair tests are positive as it forces the kids to get lots of practice getting nervous in front of each other while simultaneously taking some of the stress away from the potential for a bad playing test… if they happen every week, redemption comes soon!

Periodically I’ll allow the kids to create their own rubric for these chair tests. I guide them as they identify the skills that particular line in the book or fundamental exercise can test, and then the kids get to choose how many points each is worth. In edu-speak we could say that we are empowering student learning and self-evaluation, etc… and while all of that is definitely true, sometimes it backfires(!) which is a lesson in and of itself.

By the end of February, most of our classes are finishing up the beginner book one. We use Essential Elements and then supplement like mad. Book 2 (ye new book two) by spring break might be the goal, but every year brings its own realistic time frame.

Right after Christmas we start working with tuners in all of our beginner classes, actually incorporating “tuner tests” that function like a chair test. The visual aid helps our kids to learn ear training at an accelerated rate, taking some of the mystery and guesswork that we all initially encountered out of the mix. For kids who don’t have naturally sensitive ears, it allows them to learn to manipulate pitch while we introduce concepts that make absolutely no sense to their baby ears.

Every week we have Chair Test Tuesday. I feel like weekly chair tests are positive as it forces the kids to get lots of practice getting nervous in front of each other while simultaneously taking some of the stress away from the potential for a bad playing test… if they happen every week, redemption comes soon!

Periodically I’ll allow the kids to create their own rubric for these chair tests. I guide them as they identify the skills that particular line in the book or fundamental exercise can test, and then the kids get to choose how many points each is worth. In edu-speak we could say that we are empowering student learning and self-evaluation, etc… and while all of that is definitely true, sometimes it backfires(!) which is a lesson in and of itself.

By the end of February, most of our classes are finishing up the beginner book one. We use Essential Elements and then supplement like mad. Book 2 (ye new book two) by spring break might be the goal, but every year brings its own realistic time frame.

Right after Christmas we start working with tuners in all of our beginner classes, actually incorporating “tuner tests” that function like a chair test. The visual aid helps our kids to learn ear training at an accelerated rate, taking some of the mystery and guesswork that we all initially encountered out of the mix. For kids who don’t have naturally sensitive ears, it allows them to learn to manipulate pitch while we introduce concepts that make absolutely no sense to their baby ears.

Amongst the flurry of feedback we got from our TMEA rhythm clinic was an email from a young teacher asking how I kept control of my classes when I teach with such high energy.

The three of us have wildly contrasting personalities and teacher personas, so it is logical that we all handle our classes slightly different styles, all while keeping the same tone to our band program.

There is a fabulously ridiculous, completely non sequitur part of our conversation that was edited out for time (and topic), and you’ll be able to download that just for fun episode to be entitled “Habanero vs. Habanera” very soon.

Amongst the flurry of feedback we got from our TMEA rhythm clinic was an email from a young teacher asking how I kept control of my classes when I teach with such high energy.

The three of us have wildly contrasting personalities and teacher personas, so it is logical that we all handle our classes slightly different styles, all while keeping the same tone to our band program.

There is a fabulously ridiculous, completely non sequitur part of our conversation that was edited out for time (and topic), and you’ll be able to download that just for fun episode to be entitled “Habanero vs. Habanera” very soon.

A podcast about band? Super nerdy…

Several weeks ago it occurred to me how lucky I am to be surrounded every day by my BBFFs (best band friends & family) – our band staff, lesson teachers, high school directors, etc – and that some of our best practices come from bouncing ideas off one another in those few minutes between classes or after sectionals.

I certainly haven’t always been a part of such an awesome band community, and I know there are lots of directors out there that don’t spend their days amidst a bevy of band buddies. Especially as a young teacher, I would have enjoyed and benefited so much from listening in on the kinds of conversations I now get to have multiple times every day.

And so After Sectionals was born.

Sometimes impromptu, sometimes planned, we record when things are fresh on our minds: after sectionals… and on the rare occasion that we have a few quiet minutes between classes.

Now take a few minutes and meet our staff: Darcy – the hyper-caffeinated, Jenna – Ms. Glitter and Unicorns, and Alex – Air Ortega.

A podcast about band? Super nerdy…

Several weeks ago it occurred to me how lucky I am to be surrounded every day by my BBFFs (best band friends & family) – our band staff, lesson teachers, high school directors, etc – and that some of our best practices come from bouncing ideas off one another in those few minutes between classes or after sectionals.

I certainly haven’t always been a part of such an awesome band community, and I know there are lots of directors out there that don’t spend their days amidst a bevy of band buddies. Especially as a young teacher, I would have enjoyed and benefited so much from listening in on the kinds of conversations I now get to have multiple times every day.

And so After Sectionals was born.

Sometimes impromptu, sometimes planned, we record when things are fresh on our minds: after sectionals… and on the rare occasion that we have a few quiet minutes between classes.

Now take a few minutes and meet our staff: Darcy – the hyper-caffeinated, Jenna – Ms. Glitter and Unicorns, and Alex – Air Ortega.