OrchestraTeacher.net Blog

Michigan MEA 2019 Sessions

It was incredible to present sessions at Michigan Music Educators Association! The teachers were welcoming and enthusiastic about learning. It was wonderful meeting so many new people! Here are links to the four sessions presented: Setting your string students up for success! Diagnose and correct common technical problems to allow...

How to lubricate string instrument fine tuners (without making a mess)

Ever try to twist a fine tuner that is frozen or just difficult to turn? They can really rip up your fingers, especially after tuning lots of instruments! If fine tuners are difficult to turn, try lubricating them. A properly lubricated fine tune can make turning so much easier for...

TODA 2018

It was great to be in San Antonio presenting at this year’s TODA conference! I love the energy that the Texas teachers bring!  Below are the resources from my presentation. Practical Approaches to Assessment in the 21st Century String Classroom Download Slides (PDF) Some web resources mentioned in the presentation:...

ASTA 2018 Session Information

Assessment Practices of the 21st Century String Classroom presented by John-Rine Zabanal and Charles Laux Handout Download (PDF)   Setting Up Your Students for Success! presented by Charles Laux Downloadable slides and more coming soon!    

How Pure is Your Ensemble’s Intonation? Introducing the Yamaha Harmony Director

Session co-presented by Dr. Charles Laux and Dr. David Vandewalker at the 2018 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. Download Presentation Slides [gview file=”http://www.orchestrateacher.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Harmony-Director-Session-Slides.pdf”] App Links Tonal Energy Tuner | iOS |Android (~$4) ClearTune | iOS | Android (~$4) iStroboSoft (Peterson Strobe Tuner) | iOS | Android. (~$10) YouTube Playlist of HD-200...

Engage Your Music Students With a Personalized Learning Environment

Session co-presented by Charles Laux and Megan Endicott at the 2018 Georgia Music Educators Association Conference Charles Laux Megan Endicott Download Presentation Slides [gview file=”http://www.orchestrateacher.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Personalized-Learning-GMEA2018.pdf”] Other Resources Home Practice Organizer (example) [gview file=”http://www.orchestrateacher.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AHS-HPO-Form.pdf”] Fulton Schools Personalized Learning

Ascenté: A Quality Synthetic Core Violin String Set

Using quality strings can help create a healthy and mature sound on a student instrument and improve the tone quality and tuning of your orchestra. For many years there were few options — either you chose inexpensive steel strings that sounded loud and harsh or you opted for a set...

Redrilling holes in tuning pegs

Back to school means dealing with students bringing in new instruments.  While most of my students have decent instruments that are well set up, some come in with poor quality instruments that need a few tweaks to be playable. One of the problems with poor quality instruments (or older instruments) is...

Helping your students with small ensembles

For the last few weeks, my students have been working in small chamber groups (duets, trios, quartets, etc.).  We finished our large group performance assessment in mid-February and started this solo & ensemble unit afterwards. I’ve let students form their own groups and select their own pieces. For me, it’s more...

Back to school with renewed energy and excitement

Dear Orchestra Teacher Friends, It has been a while since I’ve posted on this site, but I wanted to give you an update as to what is going on. This August I began a new chapter in my career as I headed back to teach full-time in a high school orchestra classroom after spending...