The First Six Notes with Classroom Composers

34 Episodes

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33. Finding Success in Unusual Circumstances

2026-09-1428:02

Send us Fan Mail Not every music educator gets the ideal schedule, class size, instrumentation, or teaching setup. Sometimes success means adjusting your expectations and finding a system that works for the students and circumstances you actually have. In Episode 33, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss their experiences teaching in unusual situations and how they have adapted instruction, pacing, routines, and priorities when the traditional model does not fit. In This Episode Adapting when ...

32. Classroom Management for Music Educators

2026-09-0725:36

Send us Fan Mail Good classroom management is not about having the perfect consequence system. It starts with creating clear expectations, predictable routines, and an environment where students know exactly what is expected of them. In this episode, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss practical classroom management strategies for music educators, including establishing routines, responding consistently to behavior, handling problems privately, and avoiding power struggles with students. In ...

31. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 5

2026-08-3124:37

Send us Fan Mail Once students can assemble their instruments and produce a full instrument sound, it is finally time to start learning notes and making music. In Part 5, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they introduce the first notes, connect fingerings with music notation, build note changes, incorporate percussion, and decide when students are ready to move into method book exercises and simple songs. In This Episode Teaching the first notes on each instrumentConnecting note names,...

30. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 4

2026-08-2425:01

Send us Fan Mail After students produce their first mouthpiece sounds, the next step is assembling instruments correctly, establishing faster setup routines, and creating the first full-instrument sounds. In Part 4, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they keep percussionists engaged, teach safe instrument assembly, correct posture and hand position, and address common problems before they become habits. In This Episode Keeping percussionists engaged from the beginningBuilding stick cont...

29. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 3

2026-08-1727:04

Send us Fan Mail Once students receive their instruments, it can be tempting to start playing immediately. However, taking time to teach instrument care, assembly, posture, breathing, and first sounds can prevent problems later. In Part 3, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they distribute instruments, establish safe setup routines, teach mouthpiece and headjoint assembly, and help students produce their first sounds. In This Episode Checking out and labeling instrumentsTeaching safe ca...

#box-pro-ellipsis-178968561679575{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}The First Six Notes with Classroom Composers

The First Six Notes with Classroom Composers