Education Resources
Beginning Percussion: Should You Start On Mallets Or Pad?
One of the biggest questions in beginning percussion pedagogy is when to start mallets vs when to start drumming on a practice pad. This is an important question that is inspired...
Preventing Disruptive Behaviors in Our Rehearsals
As most of us understand, we have few behavior problems in our classes with bands. The students are, by in large, among the best students in our schools. They are involved in a...
Listening Skills That Improve Your Ensemble
You may think listening is an innate skill that improves with time—it’s not. From the early days of learning their instrument, a clear priority must be for each student to listen...
Beginning Trombone with Jeffrey Phillips
Join XO Artist and Educator Dr Jeff Phillips as he discusses the steps to assemble, hold, care for and create the first pitch on the trombone in this series of 4 videos created...
How To Help Our Students Develop The Habit of Practicing
INTRODUCTION Steve Martin once said, “I’d do anything to get into shape - except to exercise and eat right.” He hit the nail on the head. The gap between what we “should do” and...
Fast Forward: Student Reflections on School Band | Movement 5: Leadership
Five years ago, Jupiter filmed a commercial with an enthusiastic group of middle school band students. As they neared completion of their senior year in high school, we visited...
Fast Forward: Student Reflections on School Band | Movement 4: Band Director Appreciation
Five years ago, Jupiter filmed a commercial with an enthusiastic group of middle school band students. As they neared completion of their senior year in high school, we visited...
Ideas for Better Ensemble Warm-Ups
Though working on pieces in a rehearsal can be extraordinarily beneficial, time spent doing warm-up and ensemble development exercises at the beginning and scattered throughout a...
Fast Forward: Student Reflections on School Band | Movement 3: Self-Expression
Five years ago, Jupiter filmed a commercial with an enthusiastic group of middle school band students. As they neared completion of their senior year in high school, we visited...