Wouldn’t it be great if every mistake our ensemble made was as noticeable as a unison being played as a minor second?! Those obvious mistakes we can pick out and remediate almost...

At the start of your next rehearsal, after you have the ensemble’s undivided attention, before you say a word, have them watch you write the following quote on the board. I...

Many decades ago, when I started teaching, if I asked a student how many sharps there were in the key of D major, and they said two, I would celebrate and move on. But all too...

For beginners, and many not beginners, keeping their fingers on valves and keys, or thumbs and hands in the correct place, is a challenge. How's that for an understatement?! An...

I recently heard someone talking about making a “compliment sandwich” when they teach. He went on to explain that he “sandwiched” one compliment between two “slices” of...

As many of you know, I have a love-hate relationship with music stands. Our students certainly need them, but so often they cause more problems than they solve. I’ve already...

Reflecting upon his career, Carl Chevallard, Lt. Colonel (retired), United States Air Force stated, “Our rehearsals became more efficient, we had more fun, and they gave me their...

I have often said that no band will play any better than they can sing. Now I know that’s a gross oversimplification, but I really do mean it. I am certainly not suggesting they...

As part of a university commencement address some years ago, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of what was then known as Apple Computer, said “You can’t connect the dots looking...