There are a lot of times a performance seems too heavy. Lots of snow days, young students who are a nervous bunch, limited contact time, and a variety of other reasons. One other large reason is that performances take up a TON of time. Conceptual learning CAN happen during this time, but it's not easy,…...

I think one of the things that I'm "known for" is composing activities because I have a bunch. Composing activities are a great way to let students be creative, with parameters, as well as let them practice rhythms and rhythmic writing. But there is more to composing than writing down rhythms! Here are some rhythm…...

Passing games are some of the most engaging student activities. Everyone is involved, the games are FUN, and then of course there is the opportunity in some games to either guess who has the object, or to get a classmate out. But passing games aren't just an "explain and go" sort of activity. There are…...

Between MMC and CMEA, the past 2 weekends have been a whirlwind of education, planning committee duties, time with friends, and learning. I thought I'd sum up my three big takeaways from the last two weekends. 1. David Frego is delightful and Dalcroze is underrated. Seriously. I saw David present at the Fall General Music…...

I'm a huge lover jazz and jazz adjacent genres. That's the best way I know to put it. Swing music was my THING in middle school and when the little big band revival happened in the 90s because of that Gap commercial I was in heaven. And if you are wondering, yes, little Melissa with…...

There are always cute adaptations for games out there but at the heart of them, are pattern cards. These simple cards are 4 or 8 beat rhythm or melodic patterns. There are so many ways these cards can be used in the music classroom and they are truly one of the best tools you can…...