music-tools

= Music Tools =

Band Directors of Nebraska Podcast
//(Teacher Guest Post - Mr. Konrad, High School Band & Music) //

I want to tell you all about a project on which I’ve been working the past year. I was presented with a dilemma many years ago. I taught in the relatively small town of Auburn, NE just south of Plattsmouth &, for a couple years, was the only full-time instrumental music instructor in the entire town. Being fresh out of college, I felt like I knew nothing at times. I did not have a lot of connections beyond college friends in the exact same situation as me & college directors already swamped with questions/duties. Through trial-&-error & a local previous director’s help, I eventually figured out some issues, but I saw a need in our profession for better connections, especially for my generation. I decided to develop a project called the “Band Directors of Nebraska Podcast” or BDNP.

The BDNP will be a video series involving many directors from Nebraska in an attempt to better reach out to & connect with their colleagues from around the state. The idea is that videos will be released on a weekly schedule which will include content from a variety of areas such as: instrument technique, organization tips, rehearsal suggestions, repertoire discussions, conducting mastery, historical interviews, & hopefully many other subjects. The most important factor to me is that this is a podcast FOR directors created BY directors. I truly believe that we all have something to offer whether it be “how to best use the third valve slide on a trumpet “or a simple library organization tool. The goal is not to provide end-all answers, but to add to an ever-growing development as an educator.

I’ve been able to assemble a team comprised of directors from various levels of band instruction both in & outside of the metro area & are working out logistical issues so that this can be launched as soon as possible. We are still working out where exactly this will be posted/offered & also whether or not this will be an exclusive offer for members of our NSBA organization or open to the entire public. Those details should be finalized by the end of March & we are on track to have this go live as soon as the end of the school year. It’s an exciting project and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops.

**Perfect Pitch**
This is a great music game featured around the orchestra with a baseball theme. Perfect Pitch teaches students about the instruments in four different eras of music – baroque, classical, romantic, & modern. There are three sections of the game. First students can //Meet the// //Players//, where they can learn facts & hear samples of the different instruments. //Create a// //Lineup//, where they can compose their own music based on the era. Then finally, //Play// //Ball!// which is more like an interactive quiz. A great site worth visiting.

//Last Updated - May 2014//