OrchestraTeacher.net Blog

OSU String Teacher Workshop 2013

It was great to be back in Buckeye Country, presenting at the OSU Summer String Teachers Workshop!  Below is some information about what we discussed, including links to hardware, software, and websites. Essential Elements Interactive A new supplementary technology tool to accompany Essential Elements 2000 for Strings or Band.  Visit...

Sessions at ASTA 2013

It was another awesome ASTA conference!  ASTA is always the conference I get most excited about.  How could you not??  So many excellent sessions, concerts, and string vendors! Here are links to information from my sessions: Essential Elements Interactive (Hal Leonard) Reach your audiences with social networking Teaching and reinforcing...

Bow Warm-Up Exercises

When students first start to play a stringed instrument, they don’t usually have the hand strength or fine motor skills to hold the bow correctly and without tension.  The muscles in the hand need to be trained and strengthened.  So, as Arnold Swartzenegger said in the movie Kindergarten Cop, “It’s...

GMEA 2013 Sessions

Session materials and links are online.  Just click under “Topics” menu for information and the “Links” menu for hyperlinks to software and hardware. Essential Elements Interactive Automate and Motivate 21st Century String Players with Instructional Technology Envisioning and Developing the Complete Music Program It was a pleasure to present and...

What strings do I use?

Strings are technology too!  Many students ask what brand/type of strings I use on my personal instruments, so I thought I would post my favorites and why I like them. Violin (First Choice): D’Addario Kaplan Amo Kaplan Am help provide a me with the greatest quality sound, projection, and response....

OSU String Teacher Workshop 2012

It was great to present again at the OSU String Teacher workshop!  It’s always so fun meeting new people and learning about their experiences. Below are links to topics we covered during my sessions.  I hope the information below is helpful.  Please feel free to contact me should you have...

Total Teacher Workshop for Orchestra

9:00 – The 21st Century String Classroom  Topics Discussed: Understanding 21st Century Learners Classroom automation of daily routines Technology to assist home practice Communication – reaching out to your audiences Enrichment through Skype sessions 4:15 – Teaching Beginning Strings in the Digital Age Essential Elements Interactive is a new resource...

Clinics at a Distance

Clinics at a Distance: Using videoconferencing technology in your orchestra classroom or private studio. With shrinking budgets and increased costs of travel, it becomes more and more difficult to bring guests into your classroom.  This session will discuss videoconferencing technology, particularly Skype software, and will show you a few of...

Tonal Energy Tuner

I’ve just discovered the most powerful and incredible tuner in the App Store – Tonal Energy Tuner.  I can’t wait to start using it!!  I will post more once I begin using it and let you know what I find.  For now, it seems like this app will be another...

Essential Elements Digital

New from Hal Leonard Corporation is “Essential Elements Digital,” a new accompaniment to the Essential Elements 2000 (book 1) band and orchestra series method book. The DVD-ROM includes some tools that may come in handy.  First and foremost, the disc includes a PDF of the entire teacher’s manual!  For me,...