The First Six Notes with Classroom Composers

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A lot goes into teaching beginning strings. When helping students learn the correct posture, safety, bow hold, etc., it is so important that they understand your expectations and what is expected of them. That is one of the key tips our guest, Elizabeth Rohrs, shares about teaching beginning strings.

In this episode, Elizabeth is diving into how she successfully teaches her very large classes of beginning strings with efficiency. She is sharing her background as a violinist and music educator, what her general scope and sequence is for beginning string students, how she structures her classes to make the best use of time, and how she teaches posture and bow hold. This episode is packed with practical information that we know will be so helpful for teaching beginning strings!

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

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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We’re reaching the end of the school year and you’re likely busy with spring concert prep and the last thing you want to think about is getting all the end of the year tasks completed. We want to help you get organized and plan for the end of the year without adding more to your to-do list. 

In this episode, we are diving into how we have simplified our end of the year processes to ensure all tasks get completed without adding unneeded stress. We’re sharing how we backwards plan for the rest of the year, ensure all logistics are set for field trips and concerts, clean and inventory instruments, and keep students engaged once concerts are over.

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/closing-out-the-school-year

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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What can we learn from video games and video game design that can help us as music educators? Jared Brockmeyer is joining us today to dive into how understanding video game design and student motivations can help us better reach and connect with our band students.

Jared has recently been presenting on gamification in education and has so much incredible information about the topic. In this episode, he is sharing how he made the connection between video games and music education, how we can structure our instruction to resemble the structure of video game, and why it's important to understand player type theory so we can understand and engage our students better.

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/what-video-games-can-teach-us/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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Music education looks different depending on which state you are in but many music educators would agree that Texas’ music education is better than other places in the United States. What is it about music education in Texas that helps to create such great programs?

In this episode we are joined by Andy LaRusch, a head band director in Texas, who is sharing some great insight into music education in Texas. He is sharing about his background as a music educator, his journey to becoming a head band director in Texas, the teaching environments for music educators in his district, what makes Texas music education stand out, and what he sees new music educators need the most support with.

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/music-education-in-different-states

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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Whether a side hustle has been in the back of your mind for a while or if you haven’t considered starting one, Jennifer has some great insight for you! She is sharing an inside look at what it is like for her side hustling as a full time teacher.

Jennifer has a successful YouTube channel and retail shop that she runs while still working full time as a teacher. She is sharing about her background as a music educator, how she got started with her side hustles, tips for starting a YouTube channel, how she got started with her retail shop, and ideas of side hustles that teachers can do while teaching full time. 

Show notes: https://classroomcomposers.com/side-hustling/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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Music field trips can seem overwhelming but they don’t need to be! Whether you’ve done theme park field trips with your program before and want them to run more smoothly or if you think they’re too daunting to do, we have helpful tips for you!

In this episode, we are breaking down our step-by-step process for planning our theme park field trips. We are sharing how we plan the field trip, handling the cost and funding, how we prepare our students, and all the helpful tips we have learned in the past 7+ years of planning successful theme park field trips in our program.  

Show notes: classroomcomposers.com/episode-14-music-field-trip

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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Understanding the differences in every instrument in your band can be challenging. We are so grateful that Christina is joining us today to share some insight and tips to help us better understand the bass clarinet and how we can help our students with this instrument.

Christina has an extensive background in bass clarinet and teaching. She is sharing the differences between bass clarinet and B-flat clarinet, tips for starting students on bass clarinet, when to switch students to bass clarinet and what to look for in terms of readiness, her suggestions for reeds, and what her favorite pieces are that have prominent bass clarinet parts. 

Show notes: https://classroomcomposers.com/episode-13-bass-clarinet 

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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There is so much to cover when it comes to women in music, the progress made in this area, and what can be done to inspire young female musicians. We are chatting with Erin about her accomplishments and the impact she has made for women in music.

Erin is sharing all about her experience as a teacher, musician, and composer, her advocacy for women in music, the difference in experiences between women and men in music, things teachers can do to encourage female students, and so much more!

Show notes: www.classroomcomposers.com/women-in-music/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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Are you looking for encouragement and tips to get started with music composition? Composing pieces for educational purposes can be a bit different than composing other pieces. Hearing from other band teachers who are also composers can be so helpful! Our guest today, Matt Neufeld, is chatting all about music composition and how he got started. 

Matt is sharing all about his experience as a teacher and composer, how he got started composing and why he began composing pieces for educational purposes, what makes a quality piece of educational music, and his advice for anyone starting to compose.

Show notes: https://classroomcomposers.com/music-composition-conversations-with-matt-neufeld/

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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

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Are you looking for a little support in teaching your beginner clarinet players? Our guest, Tom Heimer, has years of experience as a band director and professional clarinet player and is sharing some insight into teaching beginning clarinet. 

Knowing all about every instrument in your band can be a challenge. We are so lucky to have Tom joining us to give us tips on how to support our beginner clarinets. Tom is sharing his background, tips for beginner clarinet players, reeds, what notes to teach first, his book, and more!

Show notes: https://classroomcomposers.com/episode-10-playing-clarinet-with-tom-heimer

Website: www.classroomcomposers.com

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