Mike Parkinson is a Nottelmann Music Jazz Clinician, KHS America Education Artist, and XO Professional Brass Artist – For the school band director, an annual challenge and opportunity is selecting worthy jazz ensemble literature for students to perform.  As an educator I have gained from the recommendations of others, the research I completed, and most importantly from listening to great bands in person, via recordings or videos.   With the loss of most “brick and mortar” music stores and the transfer of the listening experience to internet based sound and video servic ..read more

Curated from In Tune Magazine – by Lori Schwartz Reichl – “The best preparation for good work tomorrow, is to do good work today.” ~ Elbert Hubbard The months of February through May can be the most stressful for music educators and specifically for those who lead ensembles. Ensembles are preparing to be assessed at the county, state, and regional levels. Call these performances what you may—adjudications, assessments, festivals, etc. Regardless of their name, they are an opportunity for ensembles to be judged. If facilitated with integrity, these enrichment opportunities provide valuable fe ..read more

Presented by Joe Pappas, Nottelmann Music Clinician –  One of the most difficult aspects of being a music director at any level is anticipating the needs, growth and budget of the school music program.  Many times we are faced with needs that exceed the annual budget and are forced to find other means to support our programs.  By using the long range planning and cooperation of the school district, you as the director should have success with preparing the budget. Having worked in four different school districts and at the college level, I have experienced three types of budgets ..read more

Curated from KHS Academic Alliance – By Peter Boonshaft- I’m sure we have all wondered what our students see when they are watching us. Certainly, our viewing video recordings of our rehearsals can help provide insights into what they see, but I would like to suggest an additional step that will help us actually see what they see, as well as feel what they feel. How? By us putting ourselves in their position. First, after getting permission from the school (if needed!), video yourself from the front doing one full rehearsal. After school or whenever there’s no one around, project that record ..read more

This podcast is curated from Midnight Music – by Katie Wardrobe In this episode, Katie is sharing some of the most helpful apps you can use as a musician. She’ll discuss apps that help you practice music or transcribe music and hopes you find them helpful! https://nottelmannmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MTT146_5Useful_Transcription_and_practice_helpers.mp3     GO TO ORIGINAL POST The post 5 Useful Apps To Help You Practice and Transcribe Music appeared first on Nottelmann Music Company ..read more

By Nottelmann Music and Clinician and Professional XO Brass Artist Mike Parkinson – As someone who was drawn to pursue a career in music while in high school and managed to have a long and successful career, I know firsthand the challenges facing individuals today who are seriously considering music for their vocation.  Many students are not aware of the multiplicity of options that are available in music, whether it is in performance (various types of large ensembles, chamber music, jazz, rock/pop, classical, a solo career, and so forth), church music, teaching (pre K-university levels ..read more

Watch our exclusive video below for the answers to these question: Why step-up flutes? Who are step-up instruments for? What are the benefits of a step-up flute? Why are Azumi or Altus flutes are a good choice? Why should you buy your step-up flute from a local dealer? For more information, call 314-631-1486. The post Why Buy a Step-Up Flute? With KHS Clinician Deanna Little appeared first on Nottelmann Music Company ..read more

Curated from YAMAHA – by Dave Gerhart – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU PLAY IN AN ENSEMBLE THE FIRST TIME. Young percussion students who are studying with a private instructor usually study solo on marimba, snare drum, drum set or timpani. Ensemble playing techniques are usually something that are acquired later in high school – and unfortunately, the percussion section doesn’t usually get as much attention as it should. Yet percussionists are required to know how to play a vast array of instruments, as well as the techniques that are associated with them. Here are the “Top 10″ things all ..read more

Curated from YAMAHA – by Dave Gerhart – HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PASS YOUR NEXT AUDITION. Musicians are always auditioning. Here are a dozen tips that will improve your chances of being successful at your next audition …plus a few bonus ones if you happen to be a percussionist. GENERAL ADVICE 1. Play through your entire repertoire several times before your live audition. Don’t let the audition be the first time you play through everything in order! 2. Rehearse your audition music in front of an audience and video the performance. 3. Dress appropriately. No jeans. No tennis shoes. No short ..read more

With so many quality and diverse posts to choose from at the Nottelmann Blog, here are our picks based on viewer popularity.  We highly recommend that you view and share each one. #1 – Editor’s Choice – 10 Concert Band Pieces You May Have Missed – Grade 2/Easy – By Ray Benton, Technology and Media Specialist, Nottelmann Music Co.  Ray, who serves as editor for The Nottelmann Blog at Music Educators Corner, has 32 years of experience teaching band in the St. Louis area.  Most of these picks were performed while directing his successful band program at Rockwood South Middle Schoo ..read more