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StringEdTech.com is now OrchestraTeacher.net

I was waiting until the start of the 2015 Ohio State String Teachers Workshop to make this big announcement, so here it is… StringEdTech.com is now OrchestraTeacher.net! This site originally started as a technology blog but has morphed into a much broader resource, so I have decided to make some changes. The rebranding...

Not So Techy

Make terrific learning tools from broken bows

Old bows are now new pedagogy aids! Save all of your broken bows and also ask your local shops save all of the bows they were planning on throwing away. Then, cut off the horse hair and chop them off so with a jigsaw just above the grip. This allows...

Conference Recap / Pedagogy / Teaching Strategies

Sessions at ASTA 2015

As always, the national ASTA conference is a blast and the best professional development activity I attend each year. Apologies for the delay in this post!! I was honored to present two peer-reviewed sessions and two industry-sponsored sessions. I have created two static web pages for these topics and will...

Conference Recap / Pedagogy / Teaching Strategies

2015 South Carolina Music Educators Conference

Here are the sessions presented at SCMEA.  I had a great time meeting teachers and catching up with everyone! Automate and Motivate 21st Century String Players with Technology February 6, 2015, 2:30 PM, Carolina A/B 21st Century String Players Technology Slides 02-07-15 (PDF) Browse the top menu of this to see...

Conference Recap / Not So Techy / Pedagogy / Teaching Strategies

2015 Ohio Music Educators Conference

Organizing an Effective and Efficient Orchestra Rehearsal Feb 5th at 1:15 – 2:15 PM, CC16 Organizing an Efficient Orchestra Rehearsal Slides  (PDF) It’s Symphony Time! Developing and Working with the Young Full Orchestra Feb 5th at 2:30 – 3:30 PM, CC16 It’s Symphony Time Keynote Slides (PDF) Improving the Intonation of Your String Students through Sight, Sound, and...

Conference Recap / Hardware / Mac Software / Not So Techy / Pedagogy / Software / Teacher Training / Teaching Strategies / Websites

2015 Georgia Music Educators Conference

Here are the sessions I will be presenting on Friday, January 30, 2015 at the GMEA Conference.  Links to pages and resources are included. Improving the Intonation of Your String Students Through Sight, Sound, and Touch 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Trade Center Room 105-106 Orchestra division Pitch accuracy is...

Apps / Music Theory / Websites

Note Identification Drills

This month I started a new class of 3rd-5th graders at the KSU String Project. Students will soon be learning to identify note names.  Initially, I separate the music reading from the music production tasks. MusicTheory.net is a great website for learning LOTS of music theory concepts.  One of my favorite parts of...

Not So Techy

Navigating the journey… from student teaching through your first years in the classroom

Synopsis: You have made it through your undergraduate education!  Now what?  This session will provide important pre-service information and highlight some “do’s” and “do not’s” that will help you not only survive student teaching, but thrive as you begin your new career. Student Teaching Personal Space Responsibility: Too much?  Too...

Teaching Strategies / Websites

You want ME to teach guitar? I’m an orchestra director!

2014 Midwest Clinic Charles Laux & Bob Morris, presenters Synopsis: Yes, an orchestra or band director can teach class guitar! Come learn how and why to start a guitar program at your school. Guitar & orchestra program collaboration only makes a music program stronger! The session will include discussion of...

Hardware / Mac Software / Not So Musical

Mac keyboard not working in MS Office after Yosemite upgrade

I recently upgraded to Mac OS X (10.10) Yosemite and really like it so far.  But I’ve come across one problem where my keyboard stopped working in Microsoft Word ! It happened as I’ve been working on my dissertation – talk about bad timing!  Today I change my default font to...