I know there’s not a lot of Music Conducting going on right now, but I’m stoked to find out my book is a #1 New Release in the Music Conducting category this week. 
Our jobs as music educators involve MUCH more than conducting ensembles. In today’s music classroom, we must find innovative ways of addressing our students’ social and emotional needs so they stay connected with us, with one another, and with the content we are teaching them.
But that can feel like an impossible task during a pandemic when NOTHING is normal or easy.
As many music teachers are finding out, trying to teach ensembles during a pandemic leads to frustration on everyone’s part. I’m hearing from teachers all over the world who normally have incredible engagement from their students but are discovering that having kids practice scales and songs on their own or work on music theory or other activities just isn’t drawing students in and they are struggling to hold their programs together.
The stress that comes with wondering if your students will register for ensemble classes next year is keeping many music teachers awake at night as they watch the enthusiasm and energy that normally is present with their students and them dwindling with each passing day.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to simultaneously edit this book and shift from in-person band directing to online music education all at the same time! It gave me LOTS of opportunities to practice identifying and meeting my students’ social and emotional needs in an uncertain environment and design my curriculum (and this book) to meet the SEL needs of students – regardless of our current situations.
I’ve learned a TON through the process of writing and editing this book and refining what I am doing with my students. I’d love to share my tips with you so you don’t have to start from scratch.
When we do return to in-person teaching and can safely make music together once again, it will be more important than ever that we’ve already taught the skills that are so inherently addressed in our ensemble settings so students have an environment conducive to their growth as artists that is supportive and nurturing.
Teaching “online band” isn’t something I ever envisioned, but here we are.
I dedicate this book to all the music teachers out there who are creating and teaching and loving and inspiring students to express themselves through their arts in spite of the circumstances in which you find yourselves.
The work you do matters.
May you experience more joy and less stress for you and your students through your music journey this year and for years to come.
This situation is hard, but it is temporary. Music may be the only thing some of your students find solace in right now.
As a special gift to music educators who are working tirelessly to teach in ways we never could have imagined, I offer a FREE sneak peek to my new book. May you find an idea or two that helps you navigate the strangest time in education ever.
Thank you for being a music educator. 