For example, one of the things I tell my students is to check their thumb when playing because most of them either have it super close to the fretboard, or not at all. It was never taught to me and I don't really see many people talk about it, but it's something I've noticed as the years went by as a player myself. I've had students go from struggling to reach lower notes to suddenly *getting* it because they're now aware of where their thumb is.

So! Was wondering if yall had any little things like that, that you would want to share! From anything common to things you feel like people don't really talk about (but should).

I’m a general music teacher, and no matter how much experience I have I am just not a kindergarten/ first grade teacher. I get by and some people might even watch and think the lessons look great, but I am counting the minutes until I get them out the door. I feel like nowadays they are especially needy, even if they are little and they make me extremely anxious.

Kindergarten also does but also the assistants at our school think they own the building and admin kind of lets them think that. They couldn’t believe I dared to ever ask them to help me pass out materials.

Do you guys have your syllabus, and whole year planned out already? I’m a new teacher in the NYC DOE and I’m just trying to get a sense of what I should have ready at this point! All I have so far is a list of repertoire and classroom expectations (for Modern Band). My peers have also said that they really don’t have too much ready either. I also haven’t gotten much info from my school on my schedule, performance dates, etc.

I am currently planning on applying to 4 schools, as a high school senior looking to major in music ed. I am an oboe primary
- UMASS Amherst, my state school, and I get free tuition. I like the oboe studio, the food, and the price quite a lot
- Hartt, where many of my teachers went, very much and academic safety.
- Westfield State, as a safety
- William and Mary, not for music ed but just because I adore the school.

Should I be applying for more schools? I struggle to think of much of an incentive to go anywhere other than UMASS, but I am very academically strong and may be able to get merit aid. If there are schools you would recommend adding to my list, please let me know!

Hello!! I was wondering if anyone could help me try to decide a uni to attend for a major in music education (specifically choral music). I do have a couple of options like Kent State, BGSU, Cinci, and VSU. I live in Ohio and would like to stay instate but if I go out of state (like VSU) I want it to be a neighboring state to Ohio. I'm a junior in high school currently and would like to get some more options as safe schools. I would like a small town type campus because I get overwhelmed with bigger campuses and it does need to be cheaper than most, which is why I'm leaning a bit towards Kent. I would also most likely be living on campus to get the full experience and I just want to get out of the house and start to get a feel on being alone-ish. I also appreciate any other advice from any current choir director or someone in college! I'm so excited to begin this journey, even if it can get rough. :)

Hello, I teach music at a k-12 public alternative special education school and am looking for activities and lesson plan ideas. I teach general music once a week for 45 mins to grades k-9 in small groups of 1-8 ish students. I absolutely love my job and coworkers, but most of my music education training was focused on general population & medium - large groups. This is my 3rd year at the school and my first job with special education and alternative school. There are more details to the job, and I can explain to anyone that's interested. I'd love to hear about anyone's experience with this or ideas for the classroom. Thank you!

They are learning the recorder this year! Why???? I have to apologize to my neighbors in advance now and get the bus schedule in case I want to jump in front of it!!

But seriously…..why??? Those things are the worst! And why do they have to bring it home to “practice”? No one is gonna grow up to be a professional recorder player!!

I love my child and do everything I can to ensure he thrives in school and in life but the recorder is where I draw the line. I just might “lose” the damn thing!

Edit: people can’t read between the lines so I have to make this edit. I’m not going to “lose” his recorder. And I’m grateful my kid is getting music education. I encourage and support my kid in all of his classes. But be fr people….everyone knows the recorder is annoying af. And I’m not looking forward to hearing hot cross buns every night. But I ensure you all that I will encourage my kid to practice if he enjoys it.