OrchestraTeacher.net Blog

It’s totally tubular! How to cut PVC pipe for string teaching aids

Many string teachers have been using PVC pipe to aid students with the learning of bow hand shape, basic detaché bowing, and more. As I demonstrate these strategies at conferences and professional development workshops, many people have questions about what size PVC I use, how to cut the pipe, etc. so...

Scheduling the start time of your tuning procedures

Did you ever wish that you could begin tuning exactly at the same time each day? How cool would it be for the tuning reference pitches to sound at the same time each day? For years now, many string teachers have been using the tuning sequence that I put it up on this blog....

StringEdTech.com is now OrchestraTeacher.net

I was waiting until the start of the 2015 Ohio State String Teachers Workshop to make this big announcement, so here it is… StringEdTech.com is now OrchestraTeacher.net! This site originally started as a technology blog but has morphed into a much broader resource, so I have decided to make some changes. The rebranding...

Make terrific learning tools from broken bows

Old bows are now new pedagogy aids! Save all of your broken bows and also ask your local shops save all of the bows they were planning on throwing away. Then, cut off the horse hair and chop them off so with a jigsaw just above the grip. This allows...

Sessions at ASTA 2015

As always, the national ASTA conference is a blast and the best professional development activity I attend each year. Apologies for the delay in this post!! I was honored to present two peer-reviewed sessions and two industry-sponsored sessions. I have created two static web pages for these topics and will...

2015 South Carolina Music Educators Conference

Here are the sessions presented at SCMEA.  I had a great time meeting teachers and catching up with everyone! Automate and Motivate 21st Century String Players with Technology February 6, 2015, 2:30 PM, Carolina A/B 21st Century String Players Technology Slides 02-07-15 (PDF) Browse the top menu of this to see...

2015 Ohio Music Educators Conference

Organizing an Effective and Efficient Orchestra Rehearsal Feb 5th at 1:15 – 2:15 PM, CC16 Organizing an Efficient Orchestra Rehearsal Slides  (PDF) It’s Symphony Time! Developing and Working with the Young Full Orchestra Feb 5th at 2:30 – 3:30 PM, CC16 It’s Symphony Time Keynote Slides (PDF) Improving the Intonation of Your String Students through Sight, Sound, and...

2015 Georgia Music Educators Conference

Here are the sessions I will be presenting on Friday, January 30, 2015 at the GMEA Conference.  Links to pages and resources are included. Improving the Intonation of Your String Students Through Sight, Sound, and Touch 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Trade Center Room 105-106 Orchestra division Pitch accuracy is...

Note Identification Drills

This month I started a new class of 3rd-5th graders at the KSU String Project. Students will soon be learning to identify note names.  Initially, I separate the music reading from the music production tasks. MusicTheory.net is a great website for learning LOTS of music theory concepts.  One of my favorite parts of...

Navigating the journey… from student teaching through your first years in the classroom

Synopsis: You have made it through your undergraduate education!  Now what?  This session will provide important pre-service information and highlight some “do’s” and “do not’s” that will help you not only survive student teaching, but thrive as you begin your new career. Student Teaching Personal Space Responsibility: Too much?  Too...