Translating "Knowing" Into "Feeling" At A Dave Matthews Band Concert

In this post entitled "Taking a Deep Musical Breath: Feeling What I Know", Robert Woody, professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discusses the connection of what we know in music to what we feel.      He analyzes why a recent experience at a Dave Matthews concert effected him in such a profound way,  and described the experience as "personal, emotional, and soulful", recognizing that those words were even inadequate to describe the experience.  Read his post to discover how he describes the heart of music as he sees it.

Knowing and Feeling at a Dave Matthews Band Concert  

Ear Candy

Check out this non-profit music organization, Ear Candy, that is instrumental (pardon the pun) in supporting music education.  How is this accomplished?  By supplying kids with instruments!  You can participate as a donor of instruments or money, or as a teacher.  Be sure to watch the TED link that features founder, Nate Anderson.

Ear Candy Charity

The Importance of Teaching Concert Etiquette to Our Audience

In this video Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser addresses the issue of concert etiquette at student performances.  How do we confront this sometimes uncomfortable and awkward problem?  He suggests that it is the responsibility of music educators to teach students, parents, and other concert goers the proper way to behave and respond at concerts.

Teaching Concert Etiquette to our Audiences

Music Technology and the Special Needs Child

Discover how music paired with technology can change the lives of special needs students.  Music has long been known to be an agent of change and healing in the lives of students with special needs, but with the addition of helpful technology tools, special needs students, their parents, teachers, and music therapists have more hope than ever before.


Special Needs Students, Music, and Technology

Using SmartMusic for Sight-Reading Practice

Sight-reading is an important skill for all musicians to acquire, yet some teachers allow little time for their students to practice this skill.  SmartMusic software offers a sight-reading component for music educators to use with their students, in and outside the classroom.  Explore this feature of SmartMusic to find out how you can lead your students to success with sight-reading.

Sight-Reading with SmartMusic

Evelyn Glennie- "Feed the Brain Music" (The Importance of Music Education in the Schools)

This post is in honor of world renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie and her recent performance at the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olymics.  This link is taken from her blog post entitled "Feed the Brain Music", which focuses on the importance of music education in schools.  Be sure to click on the Sesame Street link on her blog that features her with the "Grouchketeers Band". :)

Evelyn Glennie's Blog- Feed the Brain Music

Work Ethic or Inspiration? The Sage Advice of Tchaikovsky and Jack White

It's remarkable how similar the words of a famed nineteenth-century Russian composer and a contemporary musician, one of Rolling Stone's "greatest guitarists of all time", can be!  What do Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Jack White have in common?  Their view on "work ethic vs. inspiration".  The application of these truths will inspire you.

Work vs. Inspiration? Tchaikovsky and Jack White speak