The Thrill of Drill
In August, I began teaching a course titled Marching Band Methods at my alma mater, Harding University. Since I have been a semi-hoarder of educational materials for many years, this proclivity was proven justified when I was assigned the class. In preparation for the semester, I joyfully went through old marching band books, articles and […]
Recording Your Marching Band
Recording a musical ensemble can be rewarding and challenging. Marching bands are particularly difficult to record because they are best recorded outdoors in their natural environment. Outdoor marching recordings require attention to acoustics, weather, temperature fluctuations, speed and change of wind direction, and external noise. This article is designed to help directors successfully produce a […]
Special Feature: Directory of Music Schools and Colleges
Guide your students in their search for the best place to further their education. Click here for the full directory. (Photo above courtesy of Concordia University Wisconsin, post image by Suzi Callis at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.)
Working at the Car Wash, A Blueprint for Successful Fundraising
Music directors have their plates full getting their ensembles to perform the right notes, at the right time, with the right balance, blend and style. That’s what we’ve been trained for – sharing the love of music with students. However, we must also help students earn money to go on trips, pay entry fees, purchase […]
Thinking About Graduate School
As someone who works regularly with undergraduate music students, I frequently have discussions with individuals about their future plans and professional goals. Where do they see themselves in the next five, ten, or even twenty years? These plans often include graduate study, such as a master’s degree or doctoral degree in music education, music performance, […]
Thoughts on Subdivision
When I was a grade school piano student, part of my instruction included a weekly theory/performance class. Sometimes our class attended the high school theory/performance class so that we could hear advanced students play their recital pieces. I am pretty sure this was intended to inspire us to practice harder or even practice at all. […]
Dear Student Teacher: Observations, Advice, and Reassurance
Photo courtesy Lebanon Valley College During my career, I have worked with student teachers as a Cooperating Educator (the teacher in the school who works with the student teacher everyday) and as a Cooperating Mentor (the university faculty member who observes and works with the student teacher). In both roles, I have noticed similarities among […]
Time Remembered
When you publish several hundred magazines over eight decades, there isn’t always time to reflect. Once an issue reaches the printer, you are already working on the next one and the one after that. The benefit of this work treadmill is that you never dwell too long on your successes or failures. With this 80th […]
Victoria R. Jicha
(1944-2025) We were saddened to hear of the passing of our long-time colleague and friend, Vicki Jicha. She was editor of Flute Talk from 2001 to 2011 and made countless contributions to our work as an author and editor. She grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon, and began pursuing her love for music as a member […]