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Wynn Literature is a site I found a few years ago as I was looking for music for my high school Intermediate Band to play for the Georgia Music Educators Association's Large Group Performance Evaluation (concert festival). The band I had one year was unprepared to play most Grade 4 Literature and I needed help choosing Grade 2 or 3 pieces. Wynn created this list of compositions that are on the GMEA LGPE required list. It is important to double check the most current LGPE list as the list is updated yearly. The compositions are written by composers whose works have been deemed to be "Contemporary Concert Band Standards" as they have the best mix of challenging the students as well as entertaining. Some of the composers include James Swearingen, Quincy Hilliard Robert W. Smith, David R. Holsinger, and James Curnow just to name a few. The site has changed a lot since I originally found it. You were able to click on the individual compositions to get more information about the piece such as key signature, meter, performance ranges for most of the instruments, technical issues that may occur (difficult rhythms or harmonies), background on the composer and historical perspective of the composition. Since the site's links do not work anymore, WynnLiterature is a great starting point to search for literature to play at the middle school level as well as the lower/developmental bands in high school.

Wynn Literature is a site I found a few years ago as I was looking for music for my high school Intermediate Band to play for the Georgia Music Educators Association's Large Group Performance Evaluation (concert festival). The band I had one year was unprepared to play most Grade 4 Literature and I needed help choosing Grade 2 or 3 pieces. Wynn created this list of compositions that are on the GMEA LGPE required list. It is important to double check the most current LGPE list as the list is updated yearly. The compositions are written by composers whose works have been deemed to be "Contemporary Concert Band Standards" as they have the best mix of challenging the students as well as entertaining. Some of the composers include James Swearingen, Quincy Hilliard Robert W. Smith, David R. Holsinger, and James Curnow just to name a few. The site has changed a lot since I originally found it. You were able to click on the individual compositions to get more information about the piece such as key signature, meter, performance ranges for most of the instruments, technical issues that may occur (difficult rhythms or harmonies), background on the composer and historical perspective of the composition. Since the site's links do not work anymore, WynnLiterature is a great starting point to search for literature to play at the middle school level as well as the lower/developmental bands in high school.

Wynn Literature is a site I found a few years ago as I was looking for music for my high school Intermediate Band to play for the Georgia Music Educators Association's Large Group Performance Evaluation (concert festival). The band I had one year was unprepared to play most Grade 4 Literature and I needed help choosing Grade 2 or 3 pieces. Wynn created this list of compositions that are on the GMEA LGPE required list. It is important to double check the most current LGPE list as the list is updated yearly. The compositions are written by composers whose works have been deemed to be "Contemporary Concert Band Standards" as they have the best mix of challenging the students as well as entertaining. Some of the composers include James Swearingen, Quincy Hilliard Robert W. Smith, David R. Holsinger, and James Curnow just to name a few. The site has changed a lot since I originally found it. You were able to click on the individual compositions to get more information about the piece such as key signature, meter, performance ranges for most of the instruments, technical issues that may occur (difficult rhythms or harmonies), background on the composer and historical perspective of the composition. Since the site's links do not work anymore, WynnLiterature is a great starting point to search for literature to play at the middle school level as well as the lower/developmental bands in high school.

This site includes scale sheets, rhythm charts and bowing examples for orchestra students and teachers.  I have used this site with my school students and private students.

This string specific website has lots of great resources for working on different skill-sets. I particularly like this for the finger pattern exercises and rhythmic reading tunes. This helps to work on rhythm, intonation, sight-reading, and scale work.

This website is a comprehensive resource for string teachers which includes etudes, scale sheets, bowing resources, and more. Many resources are available for printing and sharing directly with students.

This website is very helpful when teaching students to play guitar chords. Students are able to search for the song they would like to play and see what chords are needed to play. When the mouse moves over the chords, a chart pops up to show the student how to play the chord.

This articles discusses myths of the saxophone being a jazz instrument rather than a classical instrument. It offers suggestions on instrument selection, mouthpieces, embouchure development and reed selection.

This articles discusses myths of the saxophone being a jazz instrument rather than a classical instrument. It offers suggestions on instrument selection, mouthpieces, embouchure development and reed selection.

Yousician is a great software resource that teaches students to play a number of instruments including: piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, and voice. The software is set-up in a creative, game-like structure that tracks student progress and ability level through playing assessments. It's a great tool to use during general music units that focus on performance practice of these different instruments. The free version is open to all for a full 20 minutes a day. Great tool for students of all ages.

Yousician is another tool to build independent learners and musicians. Students with access to a computer or other device at home can build their instrumental playing skills on ukulele, guitar, bass, or piano with this self-guided program. Additionally, this resource can be used in the general music classroom to teach interval training, intonation, and rhythmic accuracy.

Yousician is an app for Android and iOS devices that can aid you and your students in learning how to play guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano, while also providing guidance with voice development. The app includes a free and premium version. There are videos and lessons that you and your students can follow along to.

This site provides an immersive experience for students to get the feeling of what it's like to play in an orchestra. You can view live performances from different camera angles, as if you are playing in the orchestra. They also include functions that allow you to switch views and explore facts about the different instruments and orchestral sections. This would provide a great visual support for active listening group activities in the classroom; the sound and video quality is excellent. This would also be tremendously helpful for students of conducting.

String Bass Online is a website designed specifically for bass players. There is a section with information about bass technique: how to hold the bass, bow holds, how to care for the bass, etc. There is also a section with free sheet music for students to download and play along with. There is another section with scales and etudes for the bass as well as a section of Christmas music for bass players to download and play.

String Bass Online is a website designed specifically for bass players. There is a section with information about bass technique: how to hold the bass, bow holds, how to care for the bass, etc. There is also a section with free sheet music for students to download and play along with. There is another section with scales and etudes for the bass as well as a section of Christmas music for bass players to download and play.

String Bass Online is a website devoted to the string bass. It includes information about string bass basics, such as how to set up the bass and start playing the bass, bass fingering charts, bass care, bass practice tips, how to read music, and much more. It also has free sheet music for the bass and exercises specifically for the bass. Finally, it offers a string class that discusses string music throughout history. These websites are great because they keep everything instrument specific rather than covering all the instruments together.

Cello Online is a website with specific help for cello students. The website contains sheet music for students to download and play. The sheet music also has accompaniment for students to play along with. The website also contains fingering charts for cellists, technique information, information on how to care for the cello, information on the history of the cello and a page for Christmas music.

Cello Online is a website with specific help for cello students. The website contains sheet music for students to download and play. The sheet music also has accompaniment for students to play along with. The website also contains fingering charts for cellists, technique information, information on how to care for the cello, information on the history of the cello and a page for Christmas music.

Cello Online is a website devoted to the cello. It includes information about cello basics, such as how to set up the cello and start playing the cello, cello fingering charts, cello care, cello practice tips, how to read music, and much more. It also has free sheet music for the cello and exercises specifically for the cello. Finally, it offers a string class that discusses string music throughout history. It is a similar structure to Viola Online, with slight variations in what is offered for the instrument. There is also a link to a store for all these websites for purchases for the instruments.

This website offers many applications to help teach virtually anyone to play piano. These apps use the latest gaming software to help make learning the piano fun.

JoyTunes makes absolutely phenomenal piano learning apps, especially PianoMaestro, which I use with my second graders. They download the app on their iPads, and it guides them through the basics of piano playing, all the way through playing simple songs and melodies. It's definitely worth checking out!

Sight Reading Factory is a subscription based website with the ability to generate unlimited sight reading examples. This is great for group sight reading in class, individual practice, or assessment purposes. Each exercise is fully customizable to suit your students needs.

This site can be used for practicing sight reading. The possibilities of combinations of notes, short songs, and everything can be found here. I have even found that state all-state bands have used it to create their sight reading pieces for all state band. It does cost, but the price can be worth it even if just a teacher subscription is bought.

The purpose of this resource is to provide students and teachers and alternative method for practicing sight reading. The site randomly generates examples based on level specifications about rhythm, time signature, key signature, and intervals as set by the instructor or students. The subscription is only $2 a student.

As a bassoon player I often have people approach me about how I can play such an impossible instrument and how do I recruit? This article is short but has many good thoughts on how to recruit and have success in starting a double reed student. The main sections is how to garner interest to get students to play the instrument, the personality of a double reed player, and how to help students be successful once they've started playing a double reed. There are very helpful links to reed care also.

Ideas and instruction for learning to play by ear.

Vic Firth's education resources include videos on all things percussion related.  There are video and audio clips regarding beginning snare drum/mallets, drum set, rudiments, concert percussion, and marching/world percussion.  This is a great resource for teachers and students.

Purpose of this resource: This website contains many educational videos, articles, and resources for educators and students about percussion playing technique and history. Musical Content: The Vic Firth Educator page contains fundamental playing technique for snare drum, keyboard percussion and drum set as well as demonstration videos, articles, and sequential playing exercises. There are also videos about instrument set up and maintenance. Other information: The resources on this page are geared toward both educator and student. Many of the music reading articles and exercises are also applicable to non-percussionists and can be readily adapted for classroom use.

Aside from quality percussion equipment, Vic Firth provides a wealth of information on percussion education. The site includes videos, articles, and pdf's of exercises as well if needed.  

Fantastic supplemental online resource for any of the EE method books. It allows students to practice along with customized accompaniments. Teachers can create assignments and students submit them through this platform.

Essential Elements Interactive is a website that pairs with the Essential Elements string method book. On this site, students can play exercises from the book along with accompaniment, track their practice time, and view assignments as well as a class calendar. The teacher and parents can communicate easily through this site as well.

The link to the program Essential Elements Interactive, a software that allows students to practice with play along tracks at varying tempos with or without melody. Students can record themselves multiple times and submit their favorite to the teacher for evaluation.

A compilation of play-along music recordings for students to use Boomwhackers or other similar instruments. Musication provides several free videos for elementary and middle school music students to learn to play along with the melody or chord structure of a given song. New videos are added often and students definitely enjoy playing along.

Musication has play-a-long videos for boomwhackers, hand bells, and simple percussion instruments. The videos are color coded and often have varying levels of difficulty. It provides a visual for melodic direction, durations, and harmony that helps students to see, hear, and experience music in a variety of ways.

This site allows teachers to print off Bach chorales to play in class. Playing chorales will help students use their ears to hear the harmonies and where they fit in the big picture.

GarageBand for Mac has everything you need to learn, play, record, mix, and share great-sounding music, even if you've never played a note. Garageband is a program for apple products. It allows users to compose their own music using loops and recorded segments.

GarageBand for Mac has everything you need to learn, play, record, mix, and share great-sounding music, even if you've never played a note. Garageband is a program for apple products. It allows users to compose their own music using loops and recorded segments.

GarageBand is freeware that can be used to create original compositions using pre-recorded loops, and using a microphhone to create your own sounds.

Games for children in music

Dallas Symphony Orchestra site offering teacher, student and classroom resources. Play games, learn while playing, discover composers and their famous compositions, take a virtual tour of the Meyerson, get practice tips and more! Lesson plan datapase, educational programs for an integrated and meaningful classroom.

Admittedly, I'm a total geek for the "old classics", but I find this website absolutely amazing! In about 3 minutes time I was able to locate about a half dozen pieces that I've been looking for at some point or another since I started teaching. I think there are resources that every band director could use here.

Public Domain town band music library. Would be great for so many things - especially playing marches at MPA that aren't overdone.

This is another invaluable resource of Public Domain compositions for the Band World. So many of the old marches and waltzes are out of print and difficult to come by, but this website has an extensive list of great works that are all public domain. A great resource not only for finding pieces to play, but also for doing some traditional score study.