This webquest engages students in a potential disscussion with a composer from a different era. This activity could also be adapted for exploration of current composers as well.

Webquest on American regional music.

This site is a webquest on the making of musical instruments; specifically, the violin. While based on a string instrument, this is a great site for inspiration for creating a similar project for wind or percussion instruments.

This is a website from PBS that chronicles the evolution of music recording from the phonograph to iTunes. As you read through the different stages of music production, there are interesting facets of information regarding the progression of copyright laws.

Several Resources and Ideas for use in schools especially for Alternative Music Programs. Informational for both traditional and non-traditional instruction classes including band, orchestra, alternative programs, and composition sites. In addition, there are publications provided from research to support the need for the variety of programs in school.

Not only does the Smart Music Blog offer tips for using Smart Music and its related repertoire, but it also includes practical teaching advice from music educators. These tips include information for new teachers, advice about communicating with parents, instrument technique, curriculum guidance, and more. Information is available for teachers of all grade levels.

Repertoire list for younger or developing band programs. There is a lot of grade 3-4 literature on this list which would be out of range for many middle schools, but should someone have a Jr. High situation or an advanced middle school band, this would be a tremendous resource.

This is a very comprehensive website with articles dealing with just about any topic a band director would ever need when it comes to the classroom. There are instrument specific sections as well as help with instrument repair. I found composer interviews as well as information regarding motivation of students to fundraise.

Website for the TN Music Education Association with resources for teaching and advocacy.

The instrumental standards as derived from the Core Arts Standards developed by NAfME.

This webpage provides information relating to music advocacy both for educators and parents. This site also provides encouragement to teachers and administrators as they work to provide quality music programs in their schools.

This website provides music reading reinforcement through the use of online flash cards. There are even two versions, in case you do not have access to Flash player.

This is a website on using a Smart board in a band/ music class.

We always need to make connections with what students already know before moving to new concepts. Sometimes it is helpful for us to challenge what they think they know. This interview by CBS is a fantastic look into the life of a very popular artist that has great implications for a variety of teaching scenarios.

Ted Talks are an extremely engaging way to provide students with additional information relating to music, performance, or any other topic you might decide to discuss with your students. Lectures on brain function, social issues, and music are all part of this fantastic collection.

This is an amazing resource for any type of music class! Scott Bradlee has taken modern pop music and re-made it into jazz versions. This is a great way to introduce students to the fact that a great deal of music has been borrowed from other genres and that music is an ever evolving art form.

While primarily geared towards elementary level students, some of the activities found on this website would also be helpful for beginning band classes. These can be used during those first couple of weeks when students are still trying to decide what to play and how they are going to acquire an instrument. Any of the activities can be adjusted to the experience level of your students.