A bouquet of fresh drumsticks along with pencils and pens, that new music book smell—a few of our back to school favorites.
What are your favorite new school year supplies? Bonus points if they’re music related!
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Obtaining an Instrument!
Obtaining an instrument for your beginning band or orchestra student!
1) A relative, neighbor, or friend! Have a repair shop look over the instrument to ensure it’s in playing condition and that you have the proper accessories!
2) Purchasing an instrument. If you talk to the student’s teacher and do your research, this is a viable option—the pitfall is if the student changes their mind and wants to play a different instrument, you’re stuck with what you bought. Remember, a poor quality instrument is a poor reason for a student to quit orchestra or band.
4) Renting an instrument from a local music shop. This option offers the most flexibility, with the lowest cost to get started.
However you obtain an instrument for your student, we’re here to help! If you have questions about a potential instrument, talk to us or your student’s orchestra or band director.
Happy music making!
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Awkward Afternoons with Robert and Josh: Lightening Rounds & Getting a Band or Orchestra Instrument
In this episode of Awkward Afternoons, Robert and Josh discuss the many ways to obtain an instrument for a beginning school band or orchestra student.
Please let us know if you have questions or need further help with getting an instrument for your student!
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Happy Fall!
Music Educators—Ready for the start of the school year?! Jacob Nurse from GATE Magnet School in Avondale shares his go-to preparations as a band director for the new academic year! Thank you, Jacob!
Organization is extremely important and always helpful! This includes making your room warm and inviting, having paperwork, music, materials and curriculum ready to go, expectations clearly understood (or posted) and your concert cycles set for the year as much as you possibly can.
I like to start the year with a fresh mindset as every year is different. Mistakes will happen, challenges will arise, but we can do anything and everything with a life-long learner/growth mindset.
Have icebreakers ready for your students, team building activities. This will help build relationships and will give you an idea of who some of your student leaders might be.
Start off with something musical! Get their attention day one with a positive, upbeat demeanor. The music classroom is fun and should be a space for students to express themselves both collectively and individually.
Be flexible, kind, but firm.
Make sure that self-care is a part of your teaching life! We all hit ups and downs so plan on taking care of yourself in the best ways for you.
It Begins!
And so it begins for our friends in Romeo! We loved meeting all the new music makers and seeing their joy and excitement. Let’s make music!
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