This year’s ASTA conference was fantastic! There were so many great sessions and it was a pleasure to get to meet some new people. It was interesting to find out where you are all from and what you do. I had an incredible time presenting my session entitled, “Hop Off...
Many schools have filters that block access to YouTube and other nifty video sharing sites. My school district falls into this category. There are so many wonderful educational videos on YouTube and it is a shame that the site is blocked in my district, however it is somewhate understandable. Even though...
For many years I have been using one octave whole note scales with a tonic drone to help focus and shape intonation, bow control, tone production and scale memorization. I have found that this method of playing and learning scales has been an incredible teaching strategy, especially with middle school...
Recently my students had the opportunity to video conference with two major composers in the world of string education, Michael Hopkins and Bob Phillips. The composers were professional contacts who I had met previously through various professional development opportunities, including ASTA conferences. Because my students were performing pieces by composers whom I knew personally, I...
I recently purchased a set of five REALLY cheap clip on microhones from eBay (they came directly from China) and tested them with SmartMusic. They work extremely well (with a violin at least). They cost under $1.50 each with shipping. The clip is a little more flimsy, but anyone can...
I recently acquired an iRig, a small cable adapter that allows you to plug an electric instrument, such as a guitar or violin, into an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. The cable works with any recording app, but is meant to be used with Amplitube, a free app by IK...
I recently ran a sectional at Darby High School where I am the assistant director. Students were preparing playing test excerpts from their music. At the end of class with only two minutes left, I asked the students if they would like to have a recording of the excerpts to...
For many years now, MusicTheory.net has been a great website to send students to for drill practice of music theory, especially note reading. The site has undergone a transformation by moving to HTML5 coding language and away from the reliance on the proprietary Adobe flash format. Now the teachers is...
I’ve developed a 3 step tuning sequence I use when students are able to tune their instruments comfortably. I created a track using Apple’s Garageband that automates this process. The track allows me to get away from standing in front of the class and provides me the ability to wander...
For a limited time Apple is selling refurbished 8GB iPod Nanos for just $99 (regularly $149 new). Apple Store Link I used these iPods for my orchestra students’ individual assessment last year and was very happy with the results. I was able to seamlessly integrate the iPods into my rehearsals...
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Dr. Charles Laux is the Director of Orchestras at Lassiter High School in the Cobb County School District, located just north of Atlanta, Georgia. He also serves as Essential Elements clinician, consultant, and contributor for the Hal Leonard Corporation. Dr. Laux holds degrees in music education from Ohio University, the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. A string educator in his 30th year, Dr. Laux has worked with diverse student populations from elementary school through the collegiate level. He taught at Alpharetta High School in Fulton County, Georgia from 2016-2022 where his duties include directing five levels of orchestra, including the nationally recognized AHS Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Laux served as Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Kennesaw State University from 2012-2016 where he taught string techniques and pedagogy, music education technology integration, supervised student teachers, conducted the KSU Philharmonic and coordinated string outreach activities, including serving as founding director of the KSU String Project. Under his leadership, Kennesaw State University became the largest string education program in Georgia and the KSU String Project grew to serve nearly 110 elementary school students. Previously Dr. Laux directed award-winning school orchestra programs in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio. Under his direction, the Winter Park High School Philharmonic Orchestra was selected to perform at the 60th annual Midwest Clinic in 2006 and the Alpharetta High School Symphony Strings were selected in 2018. Endorsed as an artist-educator by D’Addario Orchestral and Eastman Stringed Instruments, Dr. Laux has presented over 150 educational sessions for organizations such as the Midwest Clinic, American String Teachers Association, Technology Institute for Music Education, Association for Technology in Music Instruction, and at music conferences spanning 23 states. He regularly presents professional development in-services for school districts across the country and has presented internationally at Colegio Menor San Francisco near Quito, Ecuador. His performing experience includes seasons with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Nevada Chamber Symphony, the Columbus String Quartet, and a collaborative solo-performance with several members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Laux remains in frequent demand across the nation as an orchestra clinician, conductor, and adjudicator. He enjoys giving back to the string and orchestra community through “The Orchestra Teacher” website, YouTube channel, and podcast.
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