What do you want to know?!

With summer comes tons of sun, fun, and quality time with friends and family, and our guess is that you’re more likely pondering next weekend’s cookout more than your fall programming. At Heritage Music Press, we understand that rib glazes are easier to pick than your fall curriculum and we want to help! Let us know what topics are interesting and relevant to you. Our writers are standing by to get you the information that you need to succeed.

Want us to review a certain book? Need specific technique tips?

Let us know in the comments below!

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The thought of helping you makes us jump for joy!

- Your Heritage Music Press Team

Book Review: "Teach Like a Champion," by Doug Lemov

On the Monday of Teacher Appreciation Week, my principal gave each of us a book called “Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on the Path to College,” by Doug Lemov. I actually enjoy reading books about teaching, whether they are about classroom management, curriculum, or just how we tick. I happened to be between books, so the timing was just right to crack it open. I became hooked right away.  

The gist of this book is that kids of any age want to learn and want to be successful, but that they often do not know the language and behavior of success. As teachers, it is our responsibility to teach them in a way that creates a pathway to college and beyond. Lemov and his partners watched hours of videos of teachers in the classroom and broke the best teachers’ skills into specific techniques that any teacher can learn to use.

Interactive Now – How it All Began

You might say that it all began at a 3-day SMART Content Creation Seminar in Lewisville, TX, over the Memorial Day weekend in May, 2009. Debbie Anderson and I were the only elementary music teachers present at the seminar, and we were anxious to learn all that we could about using SMART Notebook software. We decided to collaborate and share files that we created to help us teach music concepts in our elementary music classrooms. Why reinvent the wheel when we could work together, and we have had a great time as well!

A Review of Don Dupont and Brian Hiller's "Too Much Noise!" (A Unison Musical for Grades K-2)

For starters, I am not a fan of canned music programs. I often find them too difficult and time-consuming for young children who I may only see once a week. I have used many of Don Dupont and Brian Hiller’s materials and have attended their workshops, so I thought I would give their Tuneful Tales Series a chance. I’m glad I did!!

Triangle Technique

Check out these great tips and techniques for playing the triangle in Mark Shelton's Percussion How To video!

Making Your Budget Go the Extra Mile

Outfitting an empty music classroom with $300

The things we hear about music education these days are often focused on under-funded programs and regrettable music program cutbacks.  So when teachers receive a budget of any amount, we feel an obligation to use it wisely.  Any amount that is budgeted for supplying the music classroom will inevitably disappoint us, with our wild hopes of filling our classrooms with all the best tools and resources.  No need to wallow in the disappointment, though; with a little research and ingenuity, a smart music teacher can find the best possible use of those precious dollars.

The Creative Process – Different Approaches Part 2

Another approach to that intimidating blank page is to simply add your creative spark to an existing tune. Arrangements of Folk Songs, Spirituals, and Christmas Carols are always well received, and many of these can be used by both school and church groups. Publishers love to cross-promote these types of songs, and get a broader audience for their investment.