Baby Steps To Teaching Music Composition – part 1
As a song writer, I compose new music almost every day. Ironically, despite the fact that I LOVE writing music, it is very difficult for me to teach music composition to my students. In this area of instruction I consider myself a novice because I think I can do...
Author/Composer Study meets Valentine’s Day
It's Valentine's Day, so I thought I'd tell you about something I LOVE! It was during my second year of teaching that I discovered what was going to become my very favorite set of books to use in my music classroom. I love these books so much that I've given these...
Deep in the Heart of Texas – Hoe Down and Texas Sing Along
Each February in Houston as we prepare for the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, we have "Go Texas Day!" Everyone in Houston wears their boots to work. Literal wagon trains converge on the city and meet up in time for the Rodeo parade that opens up the...
Careers in Music…. Meet the VOKI!
Our 5th grade students are supposed to have the opportunity to explore careers in music as part of their "Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills" or TEKS..... This has always been a challenge for me to teach for two reasons..... 1. There aren't very many resources,...