Good classroom management is not about having the perfect consequence system. It starts with creating clear expectations, predictable routines, and an environment where students know exactly what is expected of them.

In this episode, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss practical classroom management strategies for music educators, including establishing routines, responding consistently to behavior, handling problems privately, and avoiding power struggles with students.

In This Episode

• Creating clear expectations and routines
• Establishing procedures for the entire class period
• Being consistent with rules and consequences
• Correcting behavior calmly and privately
• Avoiding arguments and power struggles with students
• Creating a safe and predictable rehearsal environment
• Recognizing that the behaviors you allow can quickly become the norm

Chapters

00:00 What good classroom management looks like
02:00 Setting clear expectations
04:30 Building predictable classroom routines
07:30 Procedures throughout the class period
10:30 Consistency with rules and consequences
13:30 Correcting behavior without stopping rehearsal
16:00 Handling problems privately
18:30 Avoiding arguments and power struggles
21:00 Creating a safe and predictable environment
24:00 Final classroom management takeaways

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Once students can assemble their instruments and produce a full instrument sound, it is finally time to start learning notes and making music.

In Part 5, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they introduce the first notes, connect fingerings with music notation, build note changes, incorporate percussion, and decide when students are ready to move into method book exercises and simple songs.

In This Episode

• Teaching the first notes on each instrument
• Connecting note names, fingerings, and notation
• Deciding how quickly to add new notes
• Practicing clean transitions between notes
• Incorporating articulation from the beginning
• Keeping percussion involved with the winds
• Moving from isolated notes into short exercises and songs
• Knowing when students are ready to move forward

Chapters

00:00 Recapping the first 30 days
01:00 Moving from first sounds to first notes
03:00 Introducing the first fingerings
05:30 Connecting fingerings to written notation
08:00 Adding additional notes
10:30 Practicing note changes
13:00 Incorporating rhythm and articulation
15:30 Keeping percussion involved
18:00 Moving into exercises and simple music
21:00 How quickly should beginners progress?
23:30 Wrapping up the first 30 days

Connect with Classroom Composers

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Website
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After students produce their first mouthpiece sounds, the next step is assembling instruments correctly, establishing faster setup routines, and creating the first full-instrument sounds.

In Part 4, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they keep percussionists engaged, teach safe instrument assembly, correct posture and hand position, and address common problems before they become habits.

In This Episode

• Keeping percussionists engaged from the beginning
• Building stick control and rhythm skills
• Teaching safe instrument assembly
• Using timers to improve setup routines
• Checking instruments section by section
• Teaching posture, hand position, and instrument placement
• Producing the first full-instrument sounds
• Preparing students to learn their first notes

Chapters

00:00 Recapping the first 30 days
01:00 Keeping percussionists engaged
02:00 Starting the percussion section together
04:00 Stick control and rhythm exercises
06:30 Balancing percussion and wind instruction
08:00 Moving to full-instrument assembly
09:30 Demonstrating instrument assembly
10:00 Building a faster setup routine
10:30 Checking instruments section by section
12:00 Teaching safe instrument handling
13:00 Helping individuals without stopping the class
15:00 Hand position and holding instruments
17:00 Posture and breathing
19:00 Instrument-specific playing positions
21:00 Producing full-instrument sounds
23:00 Correcting common tone problems
24:00 Moving into the first notes

Connect with Classroom Composers

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Website
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Once students receive their instruments, it can be tempting to start playing immediately. However, taking time to teach instrument care, assembly, posture, breathing, and first sounds can prevent problems later.

In Part 3, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they distribute instruments, establish safe setup routines, teach mouthpiece and headjoint assembly, and help students produce their first sounds.

In This Episode

• Checking out and labeling instruments
• Teaching safe case and assembly procedures
• Establishing posture and breathing routines
• Preparing mouthpieces, reeds, and headjoints
• Assessing students’ first sounds
• Using mouthpiece work to troubleshoot problems
• Introducing articulation and pitch before reading music

Chapters

00:40 Checking out and renting instruments
02:00 Teaching instrument responsibility
02:30 Distributing and labeling instruments
06:00 Posture and breathing exercises
08:00 Opening instrument cases correctly
10:30 Identifying instrument parts
12:00 Building efficient setup routines
13:30 Attaching reeds correctly
16:00 Preparing mouthpieces and headjoints
17:30 Producing the first sounds
19:00 Assessing students individually
21:00 Starting class with mouthpiece work
22:00 Troubleshooting sound-production problems
23:00 Introducing articulation and pitch

Connect with Classroom Composers

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Website
https://classroomcomposers.com

Join our email community
https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup

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YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers

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Choosing instruments is one of the most exciting parts of beginning band, but student preference is only one part of the process.

In Part 2, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they introduce the concert band instruments, test students on mouthpieces and headjoints, evaluate percussion coordination, and balance student interest with physical fit, available equipment, and ensemble needs.

In This Episode

• Introducing students to every instrument
• Using short videos, guided notes, and demonstrations
• Testing woodwind and brass sound production
• Evaluating percussion coordination
• Managing instrument testing with a large class
• Balancing student preference with ensemble instrumentation
• Helping students succeed on their assigned instrument

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Part 1 recap
02:00 Introducing the instruments
04:00 Videos, guided notes, and demonstrations
07:30 Building balanced instrumentation
09:00 Handling high-demand instruments
11:00 Setting expectations for percussion
12:45 Preparing for instrument testing
15:30 Flute and woodwind testing
18:00 Brass testing and physical considerations
20:00 Selecting percussionists
21:30 Percussion coordination exercises
25:30 Assigning instruments

Connect with Classroom Composers

Teachers Pay Teachers
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers

Website
https://classroomcomposers.com

Join our email community
https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup

Facebook
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https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers

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The first month of beginning band can shape the rest of the school year. Before students focus on making music, they need clear expectations for entering the room, handling equipment, following directions, and participating in an ensemble.

In Part 1, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss the rules, routines, and behavior systems that help create a calm and productive beginning band classroom.

In This Episode

• Creating clear classroom rules and procedures
• Teaching an effective entry routine
• Setting expectations for instruments, music, and phones
• Handling consequences calmly and privately
• Avoiding vague policies and classroom arguments

Chapters

00:00 Why the first 30 days matter
01:15 Handbooks and written expectations
03:15 Revising unclear policies
06:00 Creating an entry routine
08:00 Rules versus procedures
10:00 Teaching students how an ensemble works
13:15 Instrument and equipment procedures
18:00 Consequences and accountability
23:45 Why procedures should not be rushed

Connect with Classroom Composers

Teachers Pay Teachers
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers

Website
https://classroomcomposers.com

Join our email community
https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/

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YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers

Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

After nearly three years away, The First Six Notes Podcast is back!

Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank catch listeners up on their career changes, what they learned during the break, and why now feels like the right time to relaunch the show. Kevin discusses his move from middle school to high school and his upcoming return to middle school, while Jessica reflects on working in administration.

In This Episode:

• Why the podcast went on pause
• Kevin and Jessica’s career changes
• Kevin’s transition into high school and marching band
• Jessica’s experience in administration
• Building stronger elementary, middle, and high school music pathways
• Why they decided to bring the podcast back
• What listeners can expect next

Chapters

00:00 - The podcast is back
00:45 - Where we left off
01:25 - Teaching together in Oceanside
10:30 - Jessica’s experience in administration
14:30 - Kevin’s move to high school
18:00 - Returning to middle school
23:30 - Why now is the right time to return
24:45 - What’s next

Connect with Classroom Composers

Teachers Pay Teachers
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers

Website
https://classroomcomposers.com

Email Community
https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/

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https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers

Subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with another music educator.

Are you feeling overwhelmed thinking of all you have to do to get ready for the start of another school year? No need to stress! We've got you covered with all the tips and tricks you need to start off your music classes on the right note!

We are sharing everything you need to know about what to do during teacher prep week and in the first few weeks of the school year. From recruitment strategies to setting up classrooms and instrument distribution, we’re covering it all. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you navigate back to school season with confidence.

Be sure to join us inside our Facebook Group and share what your favorite back to school tips are!

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/first-weeks-of-school/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

TpT Store: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers

How can you successfully teach beginning strings when your background is in band? Teaching beginning strings requires a unique set of skills and knowledge. If you’re a band teacher teaching beginning strings, tune in as we dive into the world of teaching beginning strings.

In this episode, we are breaking down the pros of teaching beginning strings, the 7 prerequisite skills you should have before teaching beginning strings, tips we’ve learned along the way, and what a typical rehearsal for middle school strings looks like.

If you have questions about teaching beginning strings, be sure to join us inside our Facebook Group! We’ll be happy to help!

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/teaching-strings/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

TpT Store: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers

Are you using warm-ups and drills as a way to prepare your students to play sheet music? If not, you may be missing out on an incredible opportunity to help your students be more successful in band!

Join us as we dive into the importance of utilizing warm-ups and drills to effectively teach and practice new concepts and skills. Hear how we use backwards planning to craft our warm-ups and how warm-ups can be strategically used to teach important concepts needed to successfully play sheet music!

If you want to chat more about using warm-ups effectively, join us inside our Facebook Group and let us know what is working for you!

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/daily-warm-ups/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

TpT Store: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers