TiME UK and TI:ME USA have announced a new transatlantic partnership designed to expand music technology opportunities for inclusive music making.
\nThe partnership will create an international platform for sharing best practices in music technology, inclusion, digital and adaptive instruments, professional development and classroom implementation. TiME UK was created in 2019 to help educators embrace new music technology and connect product developers with real-world classroom use.
\nWith a membership of about 1,000, TiME UK works with music technology brands including Ableton, Yamaha, Sontronics, Woojer, Digit Music, Robkoo, Soundbeam and Arcana Instruments. The organization said the partnership with TI:ME USA will support educators and young creators in both the United Kingdom and United States.
\n“Music tech companies need trusted routes into education,” said Kate Rounding, executive director of TiME UK. “We’ve seen great success in putting products in front of teachers, music services, SEND practitioners and young people, while feeding real-world classroom insight back to industry. This exciting new partnership strengthens the bridge between industry, classrooms and young creators in both the UK and US.”
\nRichard Llewellyn, CEO of TiME UK, said music technology has become central to how young people create music, but many educators need more training, equipment knowledge and sector connections to use it meaningfully.
\nTI:ME USA has been active since 1995 and works to help music educators apply technology to improve teaching and learning in music. The memorandum of understanding between the two organizations includes professional development, research and knowledge exchange, advocacy, shared resources and international networking.
\nFor more information, visit ti-me.org.
","related":[{"id":23165,"slug":"proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands","title":"Proel launches Pro1991 series microphone stands","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New series features die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable joints for professional use","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands&id=23165","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/proel-pro1991-stands-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":23162,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"News","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":22939,"slug":"elbphilharmonie-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-media-day","title":"Elbphilharmonie Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Media Day","category":"News","categories":["July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 13, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 13","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Panel discussion, interviews and an anniversary-season opening concert are planned for Sept. 1.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=elbphilharmonie-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-media-day&id=22939","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-2-hero.jpg"}]},"features":[{"id":23160,"slug":"out-of-sequence-rehearsals","title":"Out of Sequence Rehearsals","category":"Theater","categories":["July 2026","Theater"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","theater"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"Mary Gray","excerpt":" SBO+: This article is relevant to anyone who plans rehearsals of any type. In my community band, I would often end the rehearsals with a piece requiring little or no percussion so they could put their instruments away instead of always being the last ones to leave the building. Sequence your rehearsals to make the best use of everyone’s time and they will a...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=out-of-sequence-rehearsals&id=23160","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/October-1-scaled.jpeg","content":"SBO+: This article is relevant to anyone who plans rehearsals of any type. In my community band, I would often end the rehearsals with a piece requiring little or no percussion so they could put their instruments away instead of always being the last ones to leave the building. Sequence your rehearsals to make the best use of everyone’s time and they will appreciate it!
\nSometimes a director will call the entire cast of a play or musical to be there at a certain time and stay until the rehearsal is over. They then start from the first scene and rehearse the scenes in order until it’s time to stop. This works if there is a small cast and everyone in the cast is in most or all of the scenes. It does not work if you have a large cast, as in a musical, or if some of the characters only appear in one scene. In a play, it could mean some characters sit there for the whole time, then rehearsal ends before they get to the scene they are in. In a musical, it’s even worse. Either the chorus watches while the speaking roles rehearse, or you rehearse only the chorus scenes, dances, etc. before running out of time.
\nThe solution is to have out of sequence rehearsals until everyone has learned their parts. For a musical, it’s better to have two rehearsal spaces – one large space for the chorus and dance, and a smaller space for the speaking roles and solo songs. For a play, the scenes should be divided into which characters are in those scenes. If there are any scenes with only a few actors, or actors who appear in only one scene, rehearse those scenes either at the beginning of the rehearsal or at the very end, so that the actor who has only one or two scenes does not need to be there the whole time.
\nTry to group the list of scenes to be rehearsed by which actors are together in certain scenes. This also helps the actors with non-sequential scenes to tie their characterizations together better. In the first rehearsal, it’s important to have all the actors with speaking roles present for the group read so they can see how their part fits in with the entire script. You can do a group read at a table (called a “table read”) or you can go through the script on stage with rough blocking.
\nThe chorus members do not need to be present for the group read, and in fact might find it incredibly boring, or feel that the chorus is not important to the story line. It’s better to have the chorus practice their songs and dances together at the first rehearsal, which means you really need to have both a director and a music/dance director. If your director is also the music/dance director, which often happens in high school musicals, then what is needed is an assistant director who can switch places with the director so that he or she can work with both the actors and the chorus. The other strategy might be to have the chorus and the speaking actors come on different days.
\nOne problem directors have is spending too much time on one scene and running out of time to go through all the scenes. Even if a scene has a serious problem, it’s not a good idea to spend too much time on any particular scene. Make a time line, allotting a certain number of minutes to each scene depending on the length of the scene. If a scene has problems, go to the next scene on your schedule, then you can work on the problem scene after the official rehearsal is over or at some other time. This way you can work through every scene at every rehearsal.
\nAt some point, you will need to bring the entire cast together and rehearse the show in sequence. There should be at least two full cast rehearsals before the dress rehearsals. At this point you will need a stage manager to get people on the stage for their scenes. If you have to wait between scenes to get people out of the green room and on to the stage, you will run out of time.
\nIf you don’t have headsets for your crew, then you will need a person to run the stage manager’s instructions down to the green room. It isn’t a good idea to allow the entire cast to sit in the auditorium during the full cast or dress rehearsals. Besides the unwanted talking, they need to get used to getting their calls and getting to the stage to enter on time. The younger your cast, the more important this is.
\nIf you are not experienced with out of sequence planning, it may take a few adjustments in the beginning. You may find you’ve allowed too much time for one scene and not enough for another. Explain to your actors that these times are approximate and they should be adaptable. With good planning and hopefully some good helpers, you should be able to complete your rehearsals without too many problems and have a great show.
\n","related":[{"id":22855,"slug":"teaching-theater-kids-about-the-importance-of-correct-phrasing","title":"Teaching Theater Kids about the Importance of Correct Phrasing","category":"Theater","categories":["June 2026","Theater"],"categorySlugs":["june-2026","theater"],"date":"Jun 11, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 11","byline":"Mary Gray","excerpt":"For a lot of lines, it is essential that the emphasis falls on the correct word. Kids don’t always understand this. Often it indicates the actor doesn’t understand the meaning of the line. B...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=teaching-theater-kids-about-the-importance-of-correct-phrasing&id=22855","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Theater-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22824,"slug":"a-good-stage-manager-is-better-than-gold","title":"A Good Stage Manager is Better than Gold","category":"Theater","categories":["May 2026","Theater"],"categorySlugs":["may-2026","theater"],"date":"May 20, 2026","shortDate":"May 20","byline":"Mary Gray","excerpt":"Most theatrical productions have a stage manager. The stage manager usually is backstage during the entire performance. They follow the script, and either by headset or by physical or verbal...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=a-good-stage-manager-is-better-than-gold&id=22824","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_216638229-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22238,"slug":"the-ideal-choral-music-teacher-a-student-description","title":"The Ideal Choral Music Teacher: A Student Description","category":"Choral","categories":["Choral","November 2025","Theater"],"categorySlugs":["choral","november2025","theater"],"date":"Nov 17, 2025","shortDate":"Nov 17","byline":"SBO+ Contributor","excerpt":"By Lloyd P. Campbell This article is a reprint from Choral Journal, December 1978. View the original article online at https://acda.org/publications/choral-journal. Describe an outstanding t...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=the-ideal-choral-music-teacher-a-student-description&id=22238","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image1-6.jpg"}]},{"id":23115,"slug":"breaking-the-glass-ceiling","title":"Breaking the Glass Ceiling","category":"America's Bandmasters","categories":["America's Bandmasters","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["americas-bandmasters","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 17, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 17","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"SBO+: In our May 2026 issue, we announced that the American Bandmasters Association has created the Alton Adams Legacy Recognition to be presented to outstanding concert band conductors and composers who had not previously been recognized by ABA. It was not that many years ago that many organizations were only open to membership by white men. The result was...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=breaking-the-glass-ceiling&id=23115","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Nissly.jpg","content":"SBO+: In our May 2026 issue, we announced that the American Bandmasters Association has created the Alton Adams Legacy Recognition to be presented to outstanding concert band conductors and composers who had not previously been recognized by ABA.
\nIt was not that many years ago that many organizations were only open to membership by white men. The result was that generations of women and people of color were either denied entry to those professions or faced obstacles and challenges to their success and in the case of music education, the success of their students.
\nOne of the two inaugural recipients of the Alton Adams Legacy Recognition is MaryBelle Johns Nissly.
\nMaryBelle Johns Nissly (1916-1999) is an inspirational figure for women in leadership everywhere. Nissly received her baccalaureate degree in Music Education from West Chester State Teachers College and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She was immediately hired to be a high school band director. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps. In 1942, she attended the U.S. Army Music School and was ranked as the top female graduate (scoring higher than many of the men) and was assigned as the first conductor of the 401st Army Band as a Master Sergeant, as women were not authorized the rank of Warrant Officer as were the male graduates. In 1944, through an Act of Congress, she became among the first women in United States history to earn a warrant officer bandleader appointment. Initiating and directing the first armed forces band composed only of women, Nissly was an ambassador of our country at home and abroad, setting the stage for the expansion of women’s roles both within and outside the military.
\nMs.Nissly left the military in 1947 to lead the Manheim Township School District band program, where as one of the few female band directors in the nation she oversaw a period of tremendous growth and success, including tripling the number of participating students, establishing the middle school’s band program, and winning the program’s first performance awards.
\nResponding to the call of the military again in 1952, Ms. Nissly joined the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Captain, continuing to develop and direct all-women bands, including the famed Women of the Air Force Band (“WAF”) – a groundbreaking 50-member band that toured the world as ambassadors for our country. Fighting and overcoming significant limitations on women in the armed forces, Ms. Nissly and WAF spread American values and goodwill around the globe while entertaining both soldiers and world dignitaries. An alumni WAF still performs today. By breaking through barriers to women in the military and in our society at large MaryBelle Johns Nissly is an inspiration for women seeking to develop their potential as next generation leaders.
\nTwo hundred thirty-five women musicians performed in the band over its ten-year history, and several would go on to become music educators themselves. In addition, the WAF Band was featured in America’s most famous venues and marched for three Presidential inaugurations.
\nNo matter where they performed, they were acclaimed for their musicianship and professionalism. During the 1961 ABA Convention held in Long Beach, CA, the WAF Band gave one of their most notable performances. In 1968, just before she retired from the military, Nissly was promoted to Major. She then went on to become a professor of music at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Ms. Nissly founded the university’s orchestra and directed numerous musical theater productions, retiring from the university in 1982. However, she remained active in the Little Rock music community directing handbell choirs and other community groups.
\nBecause of her lifelong dedication to music in America, her tenacious interest in organizing and preserving the WAF Band’s historical documents, and her groundbreaking service as a female bandleader in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, Major MaryBelle Nissly was recognized by the American Bandmasters Association with the Alton Adams Legacy Recognition.
\n","related":[{"id":22853,"slug":"an-inspiring-story","title":"An Inspiring Story","category":"America's Bandmasters","categories":["America's Bandmasters","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["americas-bandmasters","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 9, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 9","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"SBO+: In our May 2026 issue, we announced that the American Bandmasters Association has created the Alton Adams Legacy Recognition to be presented to outstanding concert band conductors and...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=an-inspiring-story&id=22853","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/McFarlin.jpg"},{"id":22810,"slug":"american-bandmasters-association-announces-new-recognition","title":"American Bandmasters Association Announces New Recognition","category":"America's Bandmasters","categories":["America's Bandmasters","May 2026"],"categorySlugs":["americas-bandmasters","may-2026"],"date":"May 8, 2026","shortDate":"May 8","byline":"Col. (USA Ret.) Thomas H. Palmatier","excerpt":"American Bandmasters Association Announces New Recognition The American Bandmasters Association has established the Alton Adams Legacy Recognition to honor the contributions of conductors, d...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=american-bandmasters-association-announces-new-recognition&id=22810","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Adams.jpg"},{"id":22156,"slug":"the-journey-continues","title":"The Journey Continues!","category":"America's Bandmasters","categories":["America's Bandmasters","October 2025"],"categorySlugs":["americas-bandmasters","october2025"],"date":"Oct 27, 2025","shortDate":"Oct 27","byline":"SBO+ Contributor","excerpt":"By Cynthia A. Lansford I am a retired band director currently living in Keller, Texas. “Retired” may be the wrong descriptor, as I am actually just in my second career, one that evolved afte...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=the-journey-continues&id=22156","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image1-9.jpg"}]},{"id":23132,"slug":"growth-has-no-expiration-date-staying-curious","title":"Growth Has No Expiration Date: Staying Curious","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"Bill Humbert","excerpt":"In music education, we often speak about growth as something we cultivate in our students. We challenge them to improve their tone, strengthen their technique, deepen their musical understanding, and expand their leadership capacity. We celebrate progress and encourage them to embrace the process. But an important question remains: Are we continuing to grow...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=growth-has-no-expiration-date-staying-curious&id=23132","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Humbert.jpg","content":"In music education, we often speak about growth as something we cultivate in our students. We challenge them to improve their tone, strengthen their technique, deepen their musical understanding, and expand their leadership capacity. We celebrate progress and encourage them to embrace the process. But an important question remains: Are we continuing to grow ourselves?
\nGrowth does not have an expiration date. Too often, we unintentionally attach learning and exploration only to our students. We assume that new skills belong to beginners or developing musicians, or innovation belongs to younger generations, and personal reinvention becomes more difficult as careers advance. Yet, the truth is that thriving people continue learning, exploring, and stretching themselves beyond their comfort zone regardless of age, title, or years of experience.
\nMusic educators understand this better than most. Every rehearsal, class period, and performance challenges us to adapt, solve problems, and inspire those around us. Still, even in a profession built around development, it is easy to become comfortable. Comfort is not necessarily the enemy, but complacency can be.
\nAs educators, we become experts at managing schedules, preparing concerts, organizing logistics, and meeting expectations. Somewhere along the way, curiosity can quietly give way to routine. The reasons seem reasonable:
\n“I’m too busy.”
\n“I’ve done it this way for years.”
\n“This is fine.”
\n“I’m not sure I will be good at that.”
\nThese thoughts are familiar because they are human. We all experience moments of insecurity, uneasiness, or hesitation. We have an incredible ability to create explanations for why now is the wrong time to take action. But growth rarely begins with certainty. It begins with curiosity. What if we learned a new rehearsal strategy? What if we attended a conference session outside of our specialty? What if we explored a different style of music? What if we invited students to contribute more to the classroom environment? What if we simply asked more questions?
\nResearch and experience continue to draw the same conclusion: embracing new adventures, new skills, and new perspectives is a strong predictor of fulfillment and overall well-being. People who remain curious tend to become and stay energized. They continue finding purpose because they continue seeking possibilities.
\nOur students notice this. They can tell the difference between a teacher who is simply delivering information and one who is actively learning alongside them. The educator who remains curious creates classrooms filled with creativity and possibility. When teachers model growth, students become more willing to challenge themselves and take risks, they become more resilient. When teachers remain learners, students begin to see themselves in the same way.
\nThis does not require dramatic changes. Growth might mean reading one new book this semester. It might mean observing a colleague. It might be attending a workshop, starting a new hobby, learning a technology tool, or saying yes to an opportunity that feels slightly uncomfortable. Small moments of curiosity create momentum and that momentum can create transformation.
\nThe moment we stop growing, we stop moving forward and begin merely existing inside familiar routines. But the moment we stay curious, we remain alive, energized and excited by what opportunities may appear each day. As music educators, we hold the privilege of helping students discover what they can become. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons we can teach them is this: Never believe that growth has an expiration date. Stay curious. Keep learning and continue becoming.
\n","related":[{"id":22943,"slug":"turning-reflection-into-action-an-end-of-year-evaluation-for-music-directors","title":"Turning Reflection Into Action: An End-of-Year Evaluation for Music Directors","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 14, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 14","byline":"Aaron Nöe","excerpt":"SBO+: While this article mentions band, everything here is relevant to any ensemble or music class. The end of the school year can feel like a whirlwind. Concerts, awards, inventory, uniform...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=turning-reflection-into-action-an-end-of-year-evaluation-for-music-directors&id=22943","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Noe1.avif"},{"id":22880,"slug":"patriotic-music-binds-us-to-the-idea-of-america","title":"Patriotic Music Binds Us to the Idea of America","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 29, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 29","byline":"Harvey Rachlin","excerpt":"SBO+: Well-known author and regular SBO+ contributor Harvey Rachlin provides this article on the important role music plays in developing and sustaining our national identity. In conversatio...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=patriotic-music-binds-us-to-the-idea-of-america&id=22880","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_175517748-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22877,"slug":"effective-music-leadership-moving-from-busy-to-intentional","title":"Effective Music Leadership: Moving from Busy to Intentional","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 27, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 27","byline":"Aaron Nöe","excerpt":"When you look at social media, it almost seems the culture of music educators is busyness. We read about directors moving from rehearsal to rehearsal, barely keeping up with email, juggling...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=effective-music-leadership-moving-from-busy-to-intentional&id=22877","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1708909064-scaled.jpeg"}]}],"latest":[{"id":23165,"slug":"proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands","title":"Proel launches Pro1991 series microphone stands","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New series features die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable joints for professional use","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands&id=23165","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/proel-pro1991-stands-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center","content":"Proel has launched the PRO1991 series, a line of microphone stands engineered to withstand the challenges of professional audio environments. The series is designed to handle extreme vibrations, daily transport and quick setups through specific construction solutions.
\nEvery model in the PRO1991 series features high-quality die-cast aluminum parts that are lightweight yet durable enough to resist impacts during tours. The heavy-duty adjustable joint includes ergonomically colored knobs to facilitate precise adjustments and secure tightening even under stress. Anylon and fiberglass sleeve provides enhanced grip for a firm hold without slipping.
\nFor stability, the series offers enhanced steel tubes, with a full steel version available for optimal resistance against vibrations and wind when supporting heavy microphones. Base configurations include a die-cast aluminum tripod base with foldable tubes for compact transport. This base features high-grade non-slip and anti-vibration rubber feet. Alternatively, a cast iron base with an anti-feedback ring is available. This base comes in a stackable version capable of grouping up to six poles to simplify storage and transport.
\nMechanical features include an expandable joint with a nylon insert for smooth, precise movement without friction. Connectivity is ensured via 3/8-inch threading with an included 5/8-inch U.S. adapter for maximum compatibility with professional microphones. The collapsible design ensures a minimal footprint in flight cases and bags, suited for workers on the go.
\nProel designed the series for live concerts, broadcasts and permanent installations. The company states the product line combines Italian design with technology to ensure superior performance and a long-term investment for rental companies. The PRO1991 series is available for discovery through the company.
\nFor more information, visit proel.com.
","related":[{"id":23167,"slug":"time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership","title":"TiME announces transatlantic music technology education partnership","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Organizations will share resources and professional development for inclusive music making","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership&id=23167","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gillian-keller-kate-rounding-time-usa-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.22,"imageGravity":"face"},{"id":23162,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"News","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":22939,"slug":"elbphilharmonie-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-media-day","title":"Elbphilharmonie Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Media Day","category":"News","categories":["July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 13, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 13","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Panel discussion, interviews and an anniversary-season opening concert are planned for Sept. 1.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=elbphilharmonie-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-media-day&id=22939","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-2-hero.jpg"}]},{"id":23162,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"News","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center","content":"Hal Leonard has released Beginning Guitar & Beyond: From First Lessons to Practical Guitar Skills, a new collection designed to meet the needs of today's beginning guitarists while providing retailers with a product that delivers lasting value well beyond the introductory level.\nAs consumer demand for self-guided learning continues to grow, Beginning Guitar & Beyond offers dealers a premium instructional resource that combines the convenience of online video with the proven effectiveness of printed music. The all-in-one format provides an attractive alternative to piecemeal instructional purchases while helping build customer confidence and long-term satisfaction.\nUnlike traditional beginner methods that often require students to purchase multiple books as they advance, Beginning Guitar & Beyond offers a structured learning path in a single volume. The 120-page method begins with the fundamentals, including posture, tuning, reading tablature, open chords and chord progressions. It progresses through power chords, scales, barre chords, seventh and ninth chord voicings, chord embellishments, triad inversions, slash chords and rhythm styles drawn from rock, funk and reggae.\nTo complement the printed instruction, the purchase price includes access to 18 online video lessons totaling nearly three hours of expert instruction. Each lesson demonstrates techniques step by step while reinforcing key concepts with synchronized on-screen tablature, chord grids and fretboard diagrams that match the companion book. The videos are available for both streaming and download, providing students with a flexible learning experience that encourages continued engagement.\nDesigned for both acoustic and electric guitar players, the method teaches transferable skills that apply across playing styles, making it an ideal recommendation for virtually any beginning guitarist. Its comprehensive approach also creates opportunities for retailers to introduce customers to accessories, supplemental repertoire and other instructional titles as their skills develop.\nBeginning Guitar & Beyond: From First Lessons to Practical Guitar Skills retails for $34.99. For more information, contact a Hal Leonard sales representative or visit the Hal Leonard Dealer Access website at dealers.halleonard.com.\n\nFor more information, visit halleonard.com.
","related":[{"id":23119,"slug":"godin-guitars-launches-rik-emmett-premiere-signature-model","title":"Godin Guitars launches Rik Emmett Premiere signature model","category":"New Products","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","New Products","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","new-products","archives"],"date":"Jul 17, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 17","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Limited edition instrument features Canadian wild cherry body, MjS humbuckers","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=godin-guitars-launches-rik-emmett-premiere-signature-model&id=23119","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/godin-rik-emmett-premiere-front-close-up-hero.jpg"},{"id":22998,"slug":"eastman-introduces-eas852-52nd-street-alto-saxophone","title":"Eastman Introduces EAS852 52nd Street Alto Saxophone","category":"New Products","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","New Products","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","new-products","archives"],"date":"Jul 15, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 15","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Instrument developed with saxophonist Alex Hahn features dual-neck system","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=eastman-introduces-eas852-52nd-street-alto-saxophone&id=22998","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/eastman-eas852-image-1-hero.jpg"},{"id":22955,"slug":"electro-harmonix-unveils-deluxe-big-muff-pi-2","title":"Electro-Harmonix Unveils Deluxe Big Muff Pi 2","category":"Modern Band/Popular Music","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","Modern Band/Popular Music","New Products","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","modern-band","new-products","archives"],"date":"Jul 14, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 14","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New pedal offers flexible fuzz shaping and expanded control.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=electro-harmonix-unveils-deluxe-big-muff-pi-2&id=22955","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-1-3-hero.jpg"}]},{"id":22992,"slug":"solving-pitch-challenges-in-the-orchestral-wind-section","title":"Solving Pitch Challenges in the Orchestral Wind Section","category":"Orchestra","categories":["July 2026","Orchestra"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","orchestra"],"date":"Jul 16, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 16","byline":"Charles West","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=solving-pitch-challenges-in-the-orchestral-wind-section&id=22992","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_591410198-scaled.jpeg","content":"The following article sample was reprinted from American String Teacher, vol 72, issue 4 with permission from ASTA and the author.
\nThe inspiration for this article was a session at a recent Midwest Clinic for band directors who also teach strings. So many string specialists have been incredibly generous to me with their advice and help over my years of youth and university orchestra conducting—this is a humble expression of gratitude from a woodwind specialist to the string community for such valuable advice and support over about three decades.
\nWhile it may seem obvious to any woodwind player, it may not be quite as clear to others that the four principal woodwinds in any orchestra sitting near each other serves a specific purpose. They hear each other well, and so the pitch center of the wind section is found right in the center of the orchestra, in front of the brass, within the other woodwinds, and within and behind the strings. The first job is to get these four players in tune with each other.
\nPitch tendencies are the first great concern. The overall pitch on brass and woodwind instruments will always be higher when warm and lower when cold.
Tuning at different pitch levels (e.g., A 440, 442, 444) presents complicated problems:
Learn more by accessing the full article at www.astastrings.org. ASTA Members can take advantage of this incredible resource and more: https://www.astastrings.org/site/resource-library. Become an ASTA member TODAY! https://www.astastrings.org/site/membership
","related":[{"id":22696,"slug":"fine-tuning-the-foundation","title":"Fine-Tuning the Foundation","category":"Orchestra","categories":["March 2026","Orchestra"],"categorySlugs":["march2026","orchestra"],"date":"Mar 20, 2026","shortDate":"Mar 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"The following article sample was reprinted from American String Teacher, vol 75, issue 1 with permission from ASTA and the author. As an orchestra conductor and string music educator, I hav...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=fine-tuning-the-foundation&id=22696","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Orchestra-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22676,"slug":"minute-clinic","title":"Minute Clinic","category":"Orchestra","categories":["February 2026","Minute Clinic","Orchestra"],"categorySlugs":["february-2026","minute-clinic","orchestra"],"date":"Feb 28, 2026","shortDate":"Feb 28","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Students thrive when they know what to expect. Using clear, consistent patterns in your rehearsal each day saves time and encourages student independence. In my middle school orchestra class...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=minute-clinic&id=22676","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Minute-Clinic-Kendor-Template-1-1.png"},{"id":22602,"slug":"french-versus-german-the-over-under-on-double-bass-bow-holds","title":"French Versus German? The Over/Under on Double Bass Bow Holds","category":"Orchestra","categories":["String Section","January 2026","Orchestra"],"categorySlugs":["string-section","january-2026","orchestra"],"date":"Jan 26, 2026","shortDate":"Jan 26","byline":"SBO+ Contributor","excerpt":"By Michael Geib The following article sample was reprinted from American String Teacher, vol 74, issue 4 with permission from ASTA and the author. Modern double bassists are often confro...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=french-versus-german-the-over-under-on-double-bass-bow-holds&id=22602","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image2-2.png"}]},{"id":22962,"slug":"whats-happening-to-the-music-education-pipeline-and-your-role-in-it","title":"What’s Happening to the Music Education Pipeline and Your Role in It","category":"Wind Talkers","categories":["Wind Talkers","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["wind-talkers","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 15, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 15","byline":"Lisa Canning","excerpt":"As music educators, we are working inside a system that is changing faster than the conversations about it have caught up to. Most of us were trained in a model that assumed certain things a...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=whats-happening-to-the-music-education-pipeline-and-your-role-in-it&id=22962","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Band-director-connecting-point.png","content":"As music educators, we are working inside a system that is changing faster than the conversations about it have caught up to. Most of us were trained in a model that assumed certain things about the world we'd be teaching in. A steady supply of trained technicians to repair our instruments. A reliable pipeline of new teachers coming up behind us. Manufacturers who would invest in school programs because school programs delivered the players who would buy their professional horns later. School districts that value music as a core part of student development, not a discretionary line item.
\nEach of those assumptions is now under stress. None of them have collapsed entirely, but every link in the pipeline that delivers students, supports them through their playing years, and connects them to a lifetime of music has weakened in the past fifteen years. As directors, you’re working harder to produce results that used to come more easily, and many of you are wondering whether we're imagining it. You're not.
\nThe four-weakening links
\nThe pipeline that connects a fifth-grader who is picking up an instrument to a seventy-year-old still playing in a community band has four major links. Each one is under measurable strain right now.
\n– The repair link: the average age of a working band-instrument repair technician is now well over fifty. New technicians are being trained at a fraction of the rate we are losing experienced ones. In many regions, repair turnaround times that used to be measured in days are now measured in months.
\n– The teacher link: music education programs at universities are seeing application declines in many regions. Districts struggle to fill open positions, and the directors who do come in often arrive with less practical preparation than their predecessors had ten or twenty years ago.
\n– The instrument link: manufacturer consolidation, supply chain disruption, and tariff exposure have all driven up the cost of student instruments. Families that would have purchased a step-up clarinet in 2015 now rent for an extra year or skip the upgrade entirely. The progression of the player gets stalled.
\n– The community link: the adult community ensembles, lifelong-learning programs, and informal playing communities that used to absorb our students after graduation have thinned considerably. A student who graduates from our program in 2026 is statistically much less likely to keep playing as an adult than a student who graduated in 1996.
\nWhy educators sit at the center
\nEach of these four links involves industry actors — manufacturers, dealers, technicians, post-graduate community organizations. But the educator is the one who sits at the center of the pipeline. We are the link that connects all the others. The instrument arrives in your band room. The repair gets initiated through you. The student decides whether to keep playing — or not — based largely on their experience within the education community.
\nThis means that even though we did not break the pipeline, we have more leverage to repair it than almost anyone else in our industry. The directors who are actively engaging with these issues — building repair relationships, advocating for instrument quality, connecting students to community ensembles, mentoring new teachers — are not just running better programs. They are quietly stabilizing an industry that’s structurally fragile right now.
\nWhat you can do
\nNone of us can fix the pipeline alone. But each of us can take specific actions that, multiplied across thousands of programs, materially change the trajectory.
\n– Build the repair relationship: connect with a qualified technician in your region, even if your district uses a default vendor. Make sure your students have a chance to learn basic instrument care from someone who knows the craft.
\n– Mentor the next teacher: new directors coming up need what you know. A few hours a year of intentional mentoring — from someone with 5-10 more years of classroom experience — has more impact than most professional development programs.
\n– Advocate for instrument quality: when families ask about instrument purchases, give them the real answer about what works and what doesn't. The first instrument a student plays shapes whether they continue. Cheap instruments that fight the player are one of the most underrated reasons students quit.
\n– Connect students to lifelong music: before students graduate, point them to community ensembles, university non-major programs, adult comeback opportunities. Most graduates lose touch with music because no one ever showed them how to keep it. We are the ones who can.
\n– Speak up in the wider conversation: when industry trade press, professional associations, or local media cover the state of music education, contribute your perspective from the classroom. The conversations that shape policy and funding are too often dominated by people who haven't taught a band class in years. Your voice as a current practitioner carries weight.
\nThe decade ahead
\nThe version of music education that exists in 2036 will be shaped, in large part, by the choices directors make right now. The pipeline can recover, but only if we treat it as something we’re actively responsible for, rather than something that happens to us. Our students are still arriving. The work is still meaningful. The opportunity to do it differently — more deliberately, more connectedly — is open to every one of us. We’re not just teaching music. We’re stewarding the system that makes music possible throughout a lifetime, and the system needs us to act like it.
\n","related":[{"id":22867,"slug":"why-every-band-program-needs-a-trusted-repair-tech-relationship","title":"Why Every Band Program Needs a Trusted Repair Tech Relationship","category":"Wind Talkers","categories":["Wind Talkers","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["wind-talkers","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 19, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 19","byline":"Lisa Canning","excerpt":"As music educators, we measure the health of our programs in dozens of ways — enrollment numbers, contest ratings, retention rates, parent involvement, student progress on their instruments...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-every-band-program-needs-a-trusted-repair-tech-relationship&id=22867","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lisas-Clarinet-Shop-Clarinet-Repair-Tech.jpg"},{"id":22818,"slug":"building-a-stronger-ecosystem-for-growth-in-the-music-industry","title":"Building a Stronger Ecosystem for Growth in the Music Industry","category":"Wind Talkers","categories":["Wind Talkers","May 2026"],"categorySlugs":["wind-talkers","may-2026"],"date":"May 14, 2026","shortDate":"May 14","byline":"Lisa Canning","excerpt":"In the evolving landscape of the music industry, fostering participation requires more than just promoting products; it necessitates the creation of a robust ecosystem that supports collabor...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=building-a-stronger-ecosystem-for-growth-in-the-music-industry&id=22818","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_654863597-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22694,"slug":"windtalkers","title":"WindTalkers","category":"Wind Talkers","categories":["Wind Talkers","March 2026"],"categorySlugs":["wind-talkers","march2026"],"date":"Mar 18, 2026","shortDate":"Mar 18","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"SBO+: This is a great article. If it seems intimidating keep in mind that once you do it, an annual update is easy. There are also lots of sources of assistance like Conn Selmer’s Signature...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=windtalkers&id=22694","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AdobeStock_1823908887-scaled.jpeg"}]},{"id":22943,"slug":"turning-reflection-into-action-an-end-of-year-evaluation-for-music-directors","title":"Turning Reflection Into Action: An End-of-Year Evaluation for Music Directors","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 14, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 14","byline":"Aaron Nöe","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=turning-reflection-into-action-an-end-of-year-evaluation-for-music-directors&id=22943","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Noe1.avif","content":"SBO+: While this article mentions band, everything here is relevant to any ensemble or music class.
\nThe end of the school year can feel like a whirlwind. Concerts, awards, inventory, uniforms, graduation, recruitment, and final paperwork all compete for your attention. By the time the last performance is over, many of us are ready to not think about our ensembles and start thinking about having a few days off..
\nHowever, before moving on, take a few moments to look back on the year. This small step will truly benefit you when you start planning the next school year. Don’t be overly critical, though. An End of Year evaluation is not about that. It’s about creating clarity.
\nWhen you pause to reflect, you can identify what worked, what needs attention, and what should guide your next set of goals.
\nWhen I designed the Band Director Planner reflection was a core component of the structure of the program. Growth begins with three simple steps: highlight the wins, acknowledge the shortfalls, and identify areas you want to develop.
\nStart With the Wins
\nBegin by listing everything that went well. Directors are notorious for just identifying the problems. It’s ingrained in what we do in the rehearsal room. We notice the missed entrances, the weak tone, the inconsistent rhythm, and the rehearsal that did not accomplish what we hoped.
\nThat diagnostic ability is important, but it can also cause us to overlook real progress.
\nAsk yourself these simple questions:
\nWhat improved this year?
\nWhich performances showed growth?
\nWhere did students demonstrate more confidence, responsibility, or maturity?
\nWhat systems worked better than they did last year?
\nThe wins you list can be musical, organizational, relational, or administrative. Maybe the ensemble developed a more consistent tone. Maybe student retention improved. Maybe students took more ownership. Maybe parent communication has become more consistent. Maybe administrators better understood the value of the program. Name those wins. They show the things you want to repeat, protect, and expand.
\nIn The Band Director Planner, I identify the Four Pillars of a Successful Band Program. As you look back at the year, view the program success through each of these Pillars.
\nMusicianship: Consider tone, technique, intonation, balance and blend, rhythm, sight-reading, style, and overall ensemble maturity.
\nGrowth: Look at enrollment, retention, instrumentation, student leadership, beginner development, and program culture.
\nCommunity Support: Reflect on parent involvement, concert attendance, volunteer structure, alumni support, fundraising, and community visibility.
\nSchool and Administration Support: Evaluate communication with administrators, scheduling, facilities, budget needs, school visibility, and institutional support.
\nThis structure helps you evaluate the whole program, not just the last concert.
\nAcknowledge the Shortfalls
\nAfter celebrating progress, be honest about the things that could have gone better. Again, DON’T be overly critical.
\nShortfalls are not proof that the year was a failure. They are information. They show you where the focus needs to be for next year. Claim the wins and identify the areas that can be improved.
\nHere are a few things to ask::
\nWhat goals were not fully met?
\nWhat issues kept showing up throughout the year?
\nWhere did I feel like I was constantly reacting instead of leading?
\nWhat systems created stress or confusion?
\nWhere did communication break down?
\nRemember to look at these through the lens of The Four Pillars. Which areas of success are you most successful? Musicianship? Growth? Community Support? Admin Support?
\nDon’t dwell on problems. The goal is to name them clearly enough to develop a plan for growth.
\nA Simple End-of-Year Process
\nUse this three-step process:
\nCelebrate: What went well this year?
\nClarify: What needs honest attention?
\nChoose: What growth priority matters most for next year?
\nStrong music programs don’t happen by accident. They develop when we take time to evaluate honestly, celebrate progress, acknowledge what needs work, and build a plan around the next steps.
\nBefore moving fully into next year, pause and ask:
\nWhat should we celebrate?
\nWhat should we learn from?
\nWhat should we build next?
\nThis is where meaningful planning begins.
\nOh yeah… And enjoy a few days off. You deserve it!!!!
\n","related":[{"id":23132,"slug":"growth-has-no-expiration-date-staying-curious","title":"Growth Has No Expiration Date: Staying Curious","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"Bill Humbert","excerpt":"In music education, we often speak about growth as something we cultivate in our students. We challenge them to improve their tone, strengthen their technique, deepen their musical understan...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=growth-has-no-expiration-date-staying-curious&id=23132","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Humbert.jpg"},{"id":22880,"slug":"patriotic-music-binds-us-to-the-idea-of-america","title":"Patriotic Music Binds Us to the Idea of America","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 29, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 29","byline":"Harvey Rachlin","excerpt":"SBO+: Well-known author and regular SBO+ contributor Harvey Rachlin provides this article on the important role music plays in developing and sustaining our national identity. In conversatio...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=patriotic-music-binds-us-to-the-idea-of-america&id=22880","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_175517748-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22877,"slug":"effective-music-leadership-moving-from-busy-to-intentional","title":"Effective Music Leadership: Moving from Busy to Intentional","category":"Commentary","categories":["Commentary","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["commentary-current-issue-all","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 27, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 27","byline":"Aaron Nöe","excerpt":"When you look at social media, it almost seems the culture of music educators is busyness. We read about directors moving from rehearsal to rehearsal, barely keeping up with email, juggling...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=effective-music-leadership-moving-from-busy-to-intentional&id=22877","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1708909064-scaled.jpeg"}]},{"id":22939,"slug":"elbphilharmonie-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-media-day","title":"Elbphilharmonie Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Media Day","category":"News","categories":["July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 13, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 13","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Panel discussion, interviews and an anniversary-season opening concert are planned for Sept. 1.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=elbphilharmonie-celebrates-10th-anniversary-with-media-day&id=22939","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-2-hero.jpg","content":"The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg will mark the start of its 10th anniversary season with a media day Tuesday, Sept. 1, featuring a panel discussion, interview opportunities and the season-opening concert.\n\nThe panel discussion is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Participants include Christoph Lieben-Seutter, general and artistic director of Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle Hamburg; Pierre de Meuron, architect and founding partner of Herzog & de Meuron; Dr. Carsten Brosda, Hamburg senator for culture and media; and other guests discussing the venue’s first decade.\n\nAccredited media representatives may take part in interviews with panelists beginning at 3:30 p.m. Food and refreshments will be provided before and after the discussion.\n\nThe day concludes at 8 p.m. in the Grand Hall with the opening concert of the anniversary season. The program features pianist Alexandre Kantorow and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Manfred Honeck, performing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47.\n\nAccreditation requests should be sent to presse@elbphilharmonie.de by Aug. 11.\n\nFor more information, visit elbphilharmonie.de.","related":[{"id":23165,"slug":"proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands","title":"Proel launches Pro1991 series microphone stands","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New series features die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable joints for professional use","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands&id=23165","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/proel-pro1991-stands-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":23167,"slug":"time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership","title":"TiME announces transatlantic music technology education partnership","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Organizations will share resources and professional development for inclusive music making","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership&id=23167","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gillian-keller-kate-rounding-time-usa-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.22,"imageGravity":"face"},{"id":23162,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"News","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"}]},{"id":22937,"slug":"playing-the-changes","title":"Playing the Changes","category":"Jazz","categories":["Jazz","July 2026"],"categorySlugs":["jazz","july-2026"],"date":"Jul 13, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 13","byline":"Roosevelt Griffin III","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=playing-the-changes&id=22937","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_314035957-scaled.jpeg","content":"One of the most profound lessons about music and teaching comes from a story pianist Herbie Hancock often tells about performing with Miles Davis.
\nIn the interview, Hancock recalls a moment during a performance when he played what he believed was the wrong chord while Davis was soloing. Hancock describes the chord as sounding completely wrong and as a clear mistake in the middle of the performance. In that instant, he feared he had disrupted the music.
\nRather than reacting negatively, however, Davis paused briefly and then played something that made Hancock's chord sound intentional and beautiful. What Hancock initially heard as an error suddenly became part of the musical landscape.
\nReflecting on that moment years later, Hancock realized something important: Miles Davis did not hear the chord as a mistake. He heard it simply as something that happened in the moment. Because Davis accepted it as part of the musical reality unfolding around him, he felt responsible for responding creatively rather than rejecting it.
\nFor Hancock, this became a lesson far greater than music itself. He understood that growth requires openness and an ability to accept situations as they are rather than only as we wish them to be. He described it as learning how to \"turn poison into medicine\": taking unexpected circumstances and creating something constructive from them.
\nWhen I first heard this interview, I realized Hancock's lesson speaks directly to teaching as much as it speaks to jazz.
\nIn jazz, musicians often begin with a shared understanding of the harmonic structure identified by the chord changes of a tune they rehearse and discuss. When Hancock played the unexpected chord, he was still responding within this harmonic framework.
\nYet jazz has always allowed room for spontaneity. Musicians bring their experiences, influences, and musical identities into performance spaces. A player with deep musical roots in Latin, gospel, blues, or classical may naturally reveal those influences when improvising. Sometimes it is intentional, and sometimes it occurs unconsciously. Regardless, jazz depends upon musicians listening closely enough to recognize what is happening in real time and reacting to create something special.
\nThis is what made the moment so fascinating. Davis could have ignored Hancock's chord and continued playing within the original changes. Instead, he listened, and the music changed. The unexpected chord became part of the performance's reality, and Davis chose to respond to it rather than resist it.
\nThis speaks to the role of educators as well. Teachers, like musicians, enter schools with plans and ideas about how to teach and engage students. We develop lesson objectives, classroom management strategies, approaches to student discipline, instructional methodology, and activities designed to guide learning. Just as chord changes provide direction for the musician, our prep work and plans provide direction and are essential to be an effective educator and provide quality instruction.
\nBut schools, like performances, are living environments. Students bring their own experiences, perspectives, emotions, and realities with them. Sometimes they align perfectly with our plans, and other times they do not.
\nThe challenge for educators is learning when to continue with our plan and when to listen closely enough to recognize when there is an opportunity to make something special from something that was unexpected.
\nThis does not mean abandoning preparation or constantly changing lessons. Effective teaching still requires structure, intention, and clarity. However, within that structure, there must be an awareness that unexpected moments may arise and not everything can be anticipated in advance.
\nA student's unexpected outburst, question, interpretation, misunderstanding, or even unique insight may initially feel like a disruption to the lesson, yet much like Hancock's \"wrong\" chord, those moments can become opportunities for deeper understanding if we are willing to listen and respond constructively.
\nGreat educators do what Miles Davis did in that performance: they acknowledge the moment, gather themselves, and adapt in ways that support student growth. These educators are careful not to take unexpected circumstances as personal attacks, although they can sometimes feel that way. They also avoid allowing anger to become the driving force behind their responses.
\nYou may imagine many classroom and instructional moments where this could be applied, but here is an example of a non-instructional \"wrong chord.\"
\nOne morning during first period, a teacher noticed a student roaming the hallway instead of being in class. When asked where they were supposed to be, the student, who was clearly upset, snapped back, \"None of your darned business.\" The teacher, feeling disrespected, could have responded with anger, which may have escalated the situation. Instead, the teacher chose to remain calm. \"I'm sorry you're having a tough morning,\" the teacher said. \"Please don't speak to me that way. I am here to help. Let's get to class and let me know how I can help.\" The student, taken aback by the calm response, admitted they were angry because someone had stolen their book. The teacher reassured the student that the situation would be handled appropriately while also stating the importance of not directing anger toward others, possibly making their circumstances worse.
\nIn this moment, the teacher redirected what could have resulted in gross insubordination from the student into a constructive conversation. Of course, the student could have continued to respond disrespectfully. In that case, there are procedures and protocols in place to address such behavior. Even when disciplinary action is warranted, teachers are encouraged to remain calm. Escalating situations with displays of anger serve little purpose.
\nAlthough this outcome may not have been what the teacher initially expected, it was nevertheless constructive. By responding calmly and guiding the interaction, the teacher contributed to the student's growth rather than creating additional \"wrong chords.\"
\nJust as in jazz, leadership outside the classroom involves guiding the \"music\" toward a productive direction. In both settings, awareness, composure, and responsiveness also help to shape outcomes.
\nEducators can take what initially appears to be a mistake and transform it into something productive. Success is not always found in flawlessly following a plan, but it can also be found in our ability to remain aware, responsive, and committed to service. Whether serving the music or serving our students, that commitment allows us to make the changes a particular moment may require rather than reacting emotionally or firmly adhering to our original plans. Our goal is not to eliminate every wrong chord from the classroom, but to respond in ways that help students grow when those chords inevitably occur. In doing so, we create learning experiences that not only strengthen the lesson itself but also honor and enrich the educational journey of our students.
\nDr. Roosevelt Griffin is a member of the Jazz Education Network Education Committee. JazzEdNet.org
","related":[{"id":22941,"slug":"herbie-hancock-institute-competition-to-feature-jazz-vocals-in-paris","title":"Herbie Hancock Institute Competition to Feature Jazz Vocals in Paris","category":"Jazz","categories":["Best Tools for Schools","Jazz","July 2026","New Products","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["best-tools-for-schools","jazz","july-2026","new-products","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 13, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 13","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"** International competition to take place Oct. 10-11, 2026, with applications due July 15.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=herbie-hancock-institute-competition-to-feature-jazz-vocals-in-paris&id=22941","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-1-hero-1.jpg"},{"id":22884,"slug":"pr-test-excelcia-two-chord-jams","title":"Excelcia Music Publishing Releases Two Chord Jams by Peter Sciaino","category":"Jazz","categories":["Jazz","New Products","PR Test","Teaching Resources"],"categorySlugs":["jazz","new-products","pr-test","teaching-resources"],"date":"Feb 10, 2026","shortDate":"Feb 10","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Excelcia Music Publishing has released Two Chord Jams, a jazz improvisation resource by composer and educator Peter Sciaino. The book includes 12 original tunes designed for beginning improv...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=pr-test-excelcia-two-chord-jams&id=22884","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/pr-test/wb2601tb-two-chord-jams-score-sciaino.jpg"},{"id":19164,"slug":"treat-your-ears-to-recordings-of-upcoming-jazz-charts","title":"Treat Your Ears to Recordings of Upcoming Jazz Charts","category":"Jazz","categories":["Jazz","June 2025","Marching Band","New Products","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["jazz","june-2025","marching-band","new-products","archives"],"date":"Jun 23, 2025","shortDate":"Jun 23","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Turn up the volume! Recordings of Kendor’s upcoming jazz charts are available for streaming. You can listen through the hub on our website, or on your favorite streaming platform by searchin...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=treat-your-ears-to-recordings-of-upcoming-jazz-charts&id=19164","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/image14-3.jpg"}]},{"id":22935,"slug":"fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love","title":"Fifty Years, One Reason: Greg James and What He Did for Love","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 10, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 10","byline":"C. Michael Fox","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love&id=22935","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Greg-James-SBO-Photo.jpeg","content":"SBO+: There are countless examples of music teachers who daily demonstrate \"Why Music?\" This remembrance of one came from a former band student.
\nOn Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Greg James made the hour-and-a-half drive home, as he had nearly every day for decades, having just completed his fiftieth year of teaching. On June 10, he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Fifty years on the podium. A thousand-year flood. A cancer diagnosis. The man so many believed was invincible walked into the unknown the way he had walked into every rehearsal of his life — bullhorn in hand — leaving behind a legacy of more than five thousand touched lives in band students alone.
\nThere is no more complete a life than that.
\nThe education profession speaks often of dedication. It appears in mission statements, accreditation reports, commencement addresses. But dedication, as Greg James lived it, was a decision renewed every day for half a century to give more than the contract required, more than his own body could reasonably sustain. He taught through cancer. He led through floods. He advocated through grief. And when the end finally came, it came only after the work was finished.
\nGreg James was the band director of Richwood High School in Richwood, West Virginia — a small Appalachian community where the economics of daily life are not abstractions. They are the heating bill that crowds out the instrument rental, the empty refrigerator that makes it impossible to concentrate on a quarter note. Greg knew this not as a statistic but as a lived reality. His response was not sympathy. It was structure.
\nDevelopmental research confirms what Greg knew instinctively: for children from unstable homes, consistent structure is a precondition for learning and belonging. For many students, the band room was the most stable system in their lives. The rehearsal started on time. The director was always there. No child was turned away for inability to pay, because Greg quietly covered the difference himself, without ceremony. Students did not know. He did not want them to because the moment a child feels like a charity case, the structure loses its power.
\nWhen the floods of June 2016 condemned the school building, he found a donated car dealership, set up chairs on the concrete floor, and held rehearsal. On schedule. One student said it plainly: “The only regular thing we have is band.” That sentence should be required reading in every college of education in this country. It tells us what music programs, and the people who run them, do for children in crisis: they hold the world still long enough for a child to breathe.
\nMusic education significantly strengthens children’s social-emotional development — empathy, self-regulation, the capacity for meaningful relationships. These are human outcomes that follow a child into every relationship they will ever have. Greg knew this fifty years before the literature caught up to him.
\nHis band performed at the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the lighting of the United States Capitol Christmas Tree, among countless other famous venues across the United States and Canada. He was inducted into the West Virginia Marching Band Directors Hall of Fame. And across two decades, SBO+ named him West Virginia’s selection for its “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” distinction four separate times — the only director in America ever chosen that many times. That repetition was recognition catching up to a man who never stopped earning it.
\nSo, what should music educators nationwide take from a tenure like this? Not a technique. Not a curriculum. A posture. Greg approached the profession as though the job description was a floor, never a ceiling. A teacher’s true obligation, he believed, ends only when the child no longer needs you. For some of his students, me included, that day never came.
\nA Chorus Line was his favorite musical, and at his own request, “What I Did for Love” played at his funeral; not as elegy, but as instruction. Won’t forget, can’t regret, what I did for love. Greg chose those words as his final lesson. He never treated his career as labor. He treated it as devotion. Every extra hour, every dollar quietly spent, every fight picked on behalf of a child who had no one else; he did not do these things because the job demanded it. He did them because love does.
\nGreg James did not retire. He did not ease toward the door in a comfortable diminuendo. He worked until the work was done, until the school year was finished, the band business settled, the new building walked, everything in order. Only then did he make the drive home, lay down, and rest.
\nFifty years. A flood. A diagnosis. A bullhorn that never went silent. Ask why a man endures all of that and still finishes the year, still walks the halls one last time, still makes sure everything is in order before he allows himself to rest, and the answer is not complicated, even if it is rare. There was only one reason. Not the podium. Not the trophies, the Hall of Fame, or the four times this magazine printed his name. Greg James did what he did for the same reason a parent stays up all night with a sick child, or a soldier does not leave a fallen friend behind; because he loved them, and love does not clock out. That is the whole answer. That is the only reason there ever was.
","related":[{"id":22933,"slug":"teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead","title":"Teens Are Leaning on AI for Connection - Offer Them a Chair Instead","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 9, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 9","byline":"Marcia Neel","excerpt":"New research shows young people are turning to AI because they feel like a burden, can’t be their real selves, and have no one to turn to. We have the antidote. We've all seen the headlines...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead&id=22933","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Neel.jpg"},{"id":22900,"slug":"why-music","title":"Why Music?","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"Brian C. Murray","excerpt":"Brian C. Murray is director of choral activities, assistant professor, and vocal arts area coordinator at the University of Wyoming. A version of this article appeared in Choral Journal, Apr...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music&id=22900","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_852091040-1-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22898,"slug":"why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student","title":"Why Music Education is Vital for the Modern Student","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 6, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 6","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"For decades, music programs have often been the first to face the chopping block when school budgets tighten. Viewed by some as a \"luxury\" or a mere extracurricular hobby, music is frequentl...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student&id=22898","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UpClose-THP.png"}]},{"id":22933,"slug":"teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead","title":"Teens Are Leaning on AI for Connection - Offer Them a Chair Instead","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 9, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 9","byline":"Marcia Neel","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead&id=22933","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Neel.jpg","content":"New research shows young people are turning to AI because they feel like a burden, can’t be their real selves, and have no one to turn to. We have the antidote.
\nWe've all seen the headlines. Young people are using AI companions in increasing numbers—always-available, never-judgmental listeners—and a lot of teens are turning to these chatbots for far more than homework help. Roughly one in eight teenagers is confiding in a machine for emotional support. Parents and mental health professionals aren't comfortable with this.
\nBut the real question isn't how many teens are turning to chatbots for comfort—it's why. A study from The Rithm Project pinpointed what drives this behavior. As one researcher explained, the strongest predictors are teens \"feeling like a burden to others, feeling like you can't be your real self, feeling like there's no one to turn to.\"
\nThis is where every music educator should sit up and take notice. Every one of those needs is met through the act of making music together.
\nYou Are Needed Here: The Cure for Feeling Like a Burden
\nOne of the researchers from the project referenced above, noted that “burdening” one another is a good thing. It’s how we build reciprocity and maintain the social contract.
\nThe good news is music programs are built on the premise that every single participant matters. No one sits on the bench! The second violin part matters. The inner alto line matters. If a student doesn’t show up, the group literally sounds different. In fact, it’s the individual who comprises the whole. This the reality of how ensembles work. A young person who has experienced isolation will find the exact opposite condition in the music room. The ensemble cannot exist without every member.
\nReciprocity is rehearsed every day in the music room. You cover for the friend who got lost in a tricky passage. They steady you when your solo entrance goes awry. The “messy human friction” the report worries that kids are offloading to a chatbot is exactly the friction an ensemble teaches students to work through in real time surrounded by people who have their backs.
An ensemble is one of the last places in a teenager’s life where being unfiltered isn’t just allowed—it’s encouraged. In an instrumental ensemble, you can’t play a phrase with feeling while holding yourself back. In a choir, you can’t blend and balance if you fear the sound of your own voice. Expression is key to music-making, and that vulnerability happens in a room full of peers doing the same thing, which is what makes it safe. Nobody pulls out a phone to mock another section when they’re busy performing right alongside them!
\nMany young people carry a fear of being judged everywhere they go. It's why so many would rather \"play it safe\" than risk looking foolish. However, these feelings shift once the ensemble finds its culture. When everyone in the room is taking the same risk at the same time while leaning into a crescendo or executing a sforzando, everyone is exposed together.
\nThis is what a chatbot can’t provide. It can tell a student they’re lovable all day long, but the ensemble allows them to find it out for themselves, wrong notes and all! Music-making offers something far more sustainable than blind affirmation. The self-confidence students gain from these experiences leads to real affirmation and, eventually, to genuine self-acceptance. That freedom to be themselves will serve them well in their adult futures.
\nWe’ve Got You: Someone to Turn To—In Person
\nYoung people are reaching for chatbots in their moments of need. They find comfort in AI because it's easier than sitting all alone with their feelings or working up the nerve to talk to a friend. To quote a student respondent, “nobody decides they want AI to be their emotional support system, it just keeps feeling easier than the alternative, until one day the habit is already there.”
\nMusic programs build the alternative before that crisis ever arrives. A student in an ensemble doesn't have to manufacture a reason to be around trusted people. They're already there in the same room. Research has long shown that a caring, consistent adult is one of the most powerful protective factors in a young person's life. The music director who works with the same students year after year is often exactly that person.
\nThere's also a glaring equity gap. Young people from low-income households were three times less likely to engage with AI, yet they reported far higher rates of loneliness, of feeling like a burden, and of not belonging. Thus, the students using AI the least carry the heaviest load, and they were doing so long before chatbots. School music programs are one of the few belonging-builders available to every student, regardless of household income.
The Rithm Project report concludes that AI companions wouldn’t be nearly so disruptive if our social fabric were sturdier. It’s the weakness of the fabric, not the technology itself, that should concern us. The honest question for parents, educators, and policymakers isn’t only “How do we limit the AI?” It’s “What are we offering instead?”
\nMusic programs are one of the best answers we have. They give young people a place where they’re needed, where they’re free to be unfiltered, and where there is always someone to turn to. Affirmation doesn’t come from a screen. It happens in a music room, in real time, with real people making something beautiful none of them could make alone.
\n","related":[{"id":22935,"slug":"fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love","title":"Fifty Years, One Reason: Greg James and What He Did for Love","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 10, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 10","byline":"C. Michael Fox","excerpt":"SBO+: There are countless examples of music teachers who daily demonstrate \"Why Music?\" This remembrance of one came from a former band student. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Greg James made the...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love&id=22935","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Greg-James-SBO-Photo.jpeg"},{"id":22900,"slug":"why-music","title":"Why Music?","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"Brian C. Murray","excerpt":"Brian C. Murray is director of choral activities, assistant professor, and vocal arts area coordinator at the University of Wyoming. A version of this article appeared in Choral Journal, Apr...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music&id=22900","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_852091040-1-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22898,"slug":"why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student","title":"Why Music Education is Vital for the Modern Student","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 6, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 6","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"For decades, music programs have often been the first to face the chopping block when school budgets tighten. Viewed by some as a \"luxury\" or a mere extracurricular hobby, music is frequentl...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student&id=22898","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UpClose-THP.png"}]},{"id":23136,"slug":"music-for-all-appoints-anne-fennell-senior-director-of-education","title":"Music for All appoints Anne Fennell senior director of education","category":"News","categories":["July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 8, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 8","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Former San Diego unified school district leader joins national organization","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=music-for-all-appoints-anne-fennell-senior-director-of-education&id=23136","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/AnneFennell.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.2,"imageGravity":"face","content":"Music for All appointed Anne Fennell as senior director of education. A nationally recognized music education leader, Fennell brings nearly four decades of experience in public education, district leadership, advocacy, authorship, and national service to the organization's senior leadership team.
\nIn this senior leadership role, Fennell will help guide Music for All's educational vision and programming. Responsibilities include national initiatives, honor ensembles, camps, educator professional learning, advocacy efforts, and student experiences.
\nFennell joins Music for All following a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades in public education and educational leadership. Most recently, she served as music program manager and supervisor for San Diego Unified School District, one of the nation's largest school districts. She concluded her tenure there after 32 years as a music educator and six years in district administration. In addition to her K-12 leadership, she has served as an adjunct university professor, preparing future educators. Throughout her career, she has taught students from kindergarten through high school in diverse musical settings.
\nA nationally influential leader in the profession, Fennell serves as Western Division president for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). She is the past president of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) and continues to serve CMEA as its advocacy representative. She is also an internationally sought-after keynote speaker and clinician, presenting for organizations including the National Association for Music Education, the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, the International Society for Music Education, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and music education conferences throughout China in partnership with NAMM.
\nFennell is a published author whose work has appeared through Savvas Learning Company, the Grammy Foundation, the Percussion Marketing Council, and Disney's Little/Baby Einstein educational resources. Her leadership and contributions to music education have been recognized with numerous national honors, including the 2024 NAMM Believe in Music Award, 2020 Technology in Music Education National Teacher of the Year, 2017 Magnet Schools of America National Teacher of the Year, selection as a Top 10 Grammy Music Educator Award Finalist in 2016, and recognition as a Top 3 National Music Educator by Music and Arts in 2015.
\n\"Anne is one of the most respected voices in music education today,\" said Dr. James Weaver, president and CEO of Music for All. \"As we continue to grow our impact nationwide, Anne's vision and expertise will help shape the future of our educational programs and strengthen our service to music educators across the country.\"
\n\"I have long admired Music for All's commitment to creating transformative experiences through music,\" said Fennell. \"The organization's impact on students, educators, and communities is extraordinary. I am honored to join this exceptional team and look forward to working with our staff, educators, students, and partners to continue expanding opportunities that inspire excellence, foster belonging, and help every young person discover the life-changing power of music.\"
\nFennell holds a bachelor's degree in music education, a master's degree in educational leadership studies, Orff-Schulwerk Certification Levels I, II, and III, and more than 90 additional graduate hours in music and education. More information is available at musicforall.org/mfa-anne-fennell-senior-director-of-education/.
","related":[{"id":23165,"slug":"proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands","title":"Proel launches Pro1991 series microphone stands","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New series features die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable joints for professional use","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands&id=23165","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/proel-pro1991-stands-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":23167,"slug":"time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership","title":"TiME announces transatlantic music technology education partnership","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Organizations will share resources and professional development for inclusive music making","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership&id=23167","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gillian-keller-kate-rounding-time-usa-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.22,"imageGravity":"face"},{"id":23162,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"News","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"}]},{"id":22931,"slug":"updates-from-the-midwest-clinic","title":"Updates from the Midwest Clinic","category":"News","categories":["July 2026","News"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news"],"date":"Jul 8, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 8","byline":"Amanda Cantlin","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=updates-from-the-midwest-clinic&id=22931","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/9.png","content":"Midwest Clinic Foundation Scholarships Open July 1 for the Annual Conference!
\nThe Midwest Clinic Foundation is proud to once again offer scholarships to music educators who are first-time attendees of the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. Applications for the December 2026 Conference will open July 1, 2026. Five Scholarships will be awarded, and include the cost of registration for the annual conference, three nights of hotel accommodations, a $500 travel stipend, and a one-year subscription to the Midwest Clinic Education Portal.
\nThis initiative was created to honor directors who are committed to inspiring and uplifting the next generation of musicians by cultivating artistic excellence in their students and communities, sharing the magic of music in a way that leaves a lasting impact, and promoting equity and inclusion through the joy of music. The scholarship will allow talented educators to continue expanding their professional knowledge and skills.
\nIf you are a director who shares these values and is eager to advance your music education journey, we encourage you to apply beginning July 1, 2026 at midwestclinicfoundation.org/scholarships. Join us in shaping the future of music education and making a lasting impact on the students you serve.
\n\n
Midwest Clinic Announces the Return of Four Pre-Conference Intensives for 2026
\nThe Midwest Clinic is pleased to announce that four pre-conference intensives will be presented on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, the day before the 80th Annual Conference. These intensives offer 4-5 hours of hands-on learning in special areas of interest, allowing music educators to level up their skills and explore new topics. Registration for pre-conference intensives will begin August 1, 2026, and can be added onto registration for the 80th Annual Conference. As space is limited, pre-conference intensives are only open to Professional and College Student attendees.
\nThe four pre-conference intensives will be offered in the following areas:
\nJazz:
\nThis 4-hour, hands-on, interactive workshop is designed to support jazz educators as they build, develop, and refine their jazz programs. This workshop is ideal for band directors and music educators who are new to jazz or looking for fresh strategies to strengthen their jazz ensembles. Whether you're starting a new program, transitioning from concert band, orchestra or a college without jazz pedagogy, or refining your rehearsal techniques, this interactive, engaging, and practical workshop will leave you inspired and equipped to help your students swing with confidence! Participants must bring their own instrument (ALL instruments welcome). Rhythm section backline will be provided as follows: Drumset & cymbals, keyboard & amp, guitar amp, bass amp, Yamaha Silent Bass.
\nPercussion
\nThis 4-hour immersive session is designed for both those new to teaching percussion and those looking for a basic level refresher, offering essential information, tools, and resources to effectively teach timpani and auxiliary percussion. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your pedagogical skills, this session will cover the foundational principles of percussion playing and teaching, including instrument position, grip, stroke variations, and music reading. Participants will rotate between snare drum and mallets, culminating in a combined percussion session within a typical band setting.
\nAudio Technology
\nThis four-hour program introduces music production and how to set up a sound system for live performance, what quality audio is, and the value of mixing the audio for the best results. The final session is a hands-on experience led by professionals in the music industry.
\nStrings
\nFrom the basics of teaching strings to refining your pedagogical string knowledge, this 5-hour immersive session will provide those new to teaching strings with the information, tools, and resources needed to effectively teach orchestra. This informational and practical session will focus on the foundational principles of string playing and teaching, including instrument position, tone production, shifting, and vibrato. Participants will select a primary string instrument to learn during this hands-on workshop and can elect to join either beginning or intermediate level breakout sessions based on experience and interest.
\n\n","related":[{"id":23165,"slug":"proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands","title":"Proel launches Pro1991 series microphone stands","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New series features die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable joints for professional use","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands&id=23165","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/proel-pro1991-stands-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":23167,"slug":"time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership","title":"TiME announces transatlantic music technology education partnership","category":"Technology","categories":["July 2026","News","Technology","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","news","technology","archives"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Organizations will share resources and professional development for inclusive music making","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=time-announces-transatlantic-music-technology-education-partnership&id=23167","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/gillian-keller-kate-rounding-time-usa-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.22,"imageGravity":"face"},{"id":23162,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"News","categories":["Instruments & Gear","July 2026","News","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["instruments-gear","july-2026","news","archives"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"}]},{"id":22929,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-jazz-rock-guitar-improvisation-by-alex-skolnick-dave-rubin","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation by Alex Skolnick & Dave Rubin","category":"Print Music","categories":["Print Music"],"categorySlugs":["print-music"],"date":"Jul 8, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 8","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Hal Leonard is proud to announce the release of Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation: Modal Systems, Modern Chords, and Musical Freedom, an inspiring new instructional guide from acclaimed guitari...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-jazz-rock-guitar-improvisation-by-alex-skolnick-dave-rubin&id=22929","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal-leonard-jazz-rock-guitar-improvisation.jpeg","content":"
Hal Leonard is proud to announce the release of Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation: Modal Systems, Modern Chords, and Musical Freedom, an inspiring new instructional guide from acclaimed guitarist Alex Skolnick and renowned educator Dave Rubin.
\nCombining Skolnick's distinctive blend of jazz sophistication and rock energy with Rubin's proven teaching approach, this comprehensive method helps intermediate and advanced guitarists break free from familiar pentatonic patterns and develop a more expressive, modern improvisational voice.
\nReaders will explore modal harmony, melodic minor modes, altered and diminished sounds, chromatic concepts, outside playing, and contemporary chord vocabulary—all presented through practical fretboard shapes, musical examples, and real-world applications that players can immediately incorporate into solos and compositions.
\nAdding even greater value, the book includes companion online video featuring Alex Skolnick performing every musical example. His concise demonstrations illuminate phrasing, feel, articulation, and musical intent, giving students the opportunity to see and hear each concept in action. The videos are available for streaming or download, making the package ideal for independent study or private instruction.
\nWith Alex Skolnick's worldwide reputation among rock, metal, jazz, and fusion guitarists, Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation is positioned to appeal not only to dedicated students but also to his extensive fan base looking to learn directly from one of today's most versatile players.
\nAlex Skolnick is best known as the lead guitarist for Testament and as the founder of the critically acclaimed Alex Skolnick Trio. A graduate of The New School's jazz program, he has built an international career spanning metal, jazz, fusion, recording, touring, and music education. He also hosts the podcast Moods & Modes and is a frequent clinician at events, including Joe Satriani's G4 Experience.
\nDave Rubin is a New York City guitarist, educator, and author whose instructional books and videos have helped generations of players. A contributing editor to Guitar Edge magazine, he has authored dozens of bestselling guitar methods.
\nJazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation: Modal Systems, Modern Chords, and Musical Freedom is available now from Hal Leonard with a suggested retail price of $29.99. Retailers can place orders through the Hal Leonard E-Z Order Line at 1-888-502-0265.
","related":[{"id":22911,"slug":"music-fundations-now-available-at-j-w-pepper","title":"Music Fundations Now Available at J.W. Pepper","category":"New Products","categories":["June 2026","New Products","Print Music","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["june-2026","new-products","print-music","archives"],"date":"Jun 30, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 30","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Music educators now have expanded access to a powerful resource for building musicianship and character in the band room.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=music-fundations-now-available-at-j-w-pepper&id=22911","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/music-fundations-now-available-at-j-w-pepper-hero.jpg"},{"id":22913,"slug":"excelcia-music-publishing-releases-2026-2027-concert-band-music-catalog","title":"Excelcia Music Publishing Releases 2026-2027 Concert Band Music Catalog","category":"New Products","categories":["June 2026","New Products","Print Music","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["june-2026","new-products","print-music","archives"],"date":"Jun 30, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 30","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"The new release features a variety of works for all levels of skill and musicianship, as well as seasonal, holiday, and contest and festival performance occasions.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=excelcia-music-publishing-releases-2026-2027-concert-band-music-catalog&id=22913","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/excelcia-music-publishing-releases-2026-2027-concert-band-music-catalog-hero.jpg"},{"id":22915,"slug":"kendor-music-publishes-new-jazz-charts-for-spring","title":"Kendor Music Publishes New Jazz Charts for Spring","category":"New Products","categories":["May 2026","New Products","Print Music","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["may-2026","new-products","print-music","archives"],"date":"May 28, 2026","shortDate":"May 28","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Our charts are grouped into five grade levels: Jazz Quest Series (Grade 1), Jazz Gateway Series Grade (Grade 1½), Jazz Trek Series (Grade 2), Jazz Journey Series (Grade 3), and Jazz Summit S...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=kendor-music-publishes-new-jazz-charts-for-spring&id=22915","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/kendor-music-publishes-new-jazz-charts-for-spring-hero.jpg"}]},{"id":22907,"slug":"carnegie-halls-nyo2-to-return-to-the-dominican-republic-in-august","title":"Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 to Return to the Dominican Republic in August","category":"Travel/Festivals","categories":["Headlines","July 2026","News","Travel/Festivals","Archives"],"categorySlugs":["headlines","july-2026","news","travel-festivals","archives"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=carnegie-halls-nyo2-to-return-to-the-dominican-republic-in-august&id=22907","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-1-hero.jpg","content":"Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 will return to the Dominican Republic in August for a five-day residency and two performances presented by Fundación Sinfonía.
\nThe 89-member youth orchestra, made up of teen musicians from across the United States, will perform after a two-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, and a July 30 concert at Carnegie Hall.
\nConductor Mei-Ann Chen will lead the ensemble with violinist Tessa Lark as soloist. The program includes music by George Gershwin, Ottorino Respighi, Gabriela Lena Frank, Arturo Márquez and Michael Torke.
\nNYO2 is scheduled to perform Aug. 2 at the Gran Teatro del Cibao in Santiago and Aug. 3 at the Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito in Santo Domingo. The trip marks the ensemble’s second visit to the Dominican Republic, following its international debut there in 2023.
\nFor more information, visit carnegiehall.org.
","related":[{"id":22562,"slug":"you-can-help-shape-a-bold-future","title":"You Can Help Shape a Bold Future","category":"Headlines","categories":["Headlines","January 2026"],"categorySlugs":["headlines","january-2026"],"date":"Jan 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jan 20","byline":"Tom Palmatier","excerpt":"From the classroom to their careers, students carry the lessons of music with them. Together, we can ensure more students discover the skills that shape their futures. Through Music for All’...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=you-can-help-shape-a-bold-future&id=22562","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image4-2.jpg"},{"id":22314,"slug":"headlines-december-2025","title":"Headlines December 2025","category":"Headlines","categories":["December 2025","Headlines"],"categorySlugs":["december-2025","headlines"],"date":"Dec 10, 2025","shortDate":"Dec 10","byline":"Tom Palmatier","excerpt":"2025–2026 Music In Our Schools Month Composition Call Calling all Music Educators and Students! NAfME encourages all music educators to UNITE and celebrate Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=headlines-december-2025&id=22314","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AdobeStock_184010116-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22213,"slug":"sousa-aba-ostwald-winner-announced","title":"Sousa-ABA Ostwald Winner Announced","category":"Headlines","categories":["Headlines","November 2025"],"categorySlugs":["headlines","november2025"],"date":"Nov 10, 2025","shortDate":"Nov 10","byline":"Tom Palmatier","excerpt":"Co-sponsored by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the American Bandmasters Association, this year’s winner is Concerto for Euphonium and Band by Tom Davoren. The work will be featured at...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=sousa-aba-ostwald-winner-announced&id=22213","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image1-2.jpg"}]},{"id":22900,"slug":"why-music","title":"Why Music?","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"Brian C. Murray","excerpt":"Brian C. Murray is director of choral activities, assistant professor, and vocal arts area coordinator at the University of Wyoming. A version of this article appeared in Choral Journal, Apr...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music&id=22900","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_852091040-1-scaled.jpeg","content":"Brian C. Murray is director of choral activities, assistant professor, and vocal arts area coordinator at the University of Wyoming. A version of this article appeared in Choral Journal, April 2016 (Vol 56, No 9).
\nIt is surprising to think of 2016 as ten years ago, but that is when the Choral Journal originally published this article. All our lives have changed tremendously since then—as they will again in ten more years. Wonderful additions and tragic losses have marred this span of time; we are different people than we were before. Now, more than ever, it seems, it is more important to have an impetus for our work as music educators. Most music education students at the university write a philosophy of music education for one (or more) of their courses. This statement (whether they call it a personal philosophy, teaching statement, or something different altogether) is not something to craft when required for a class or for job applications and then forget. It merits revisiting and considering why you make the choices you make. If we hope to instill the trait of life-long learning into our students, we, too, must strive to improve our craft as teachers. We must have a compelling reason for why we do what we do. As we change, our philosophy of music education changes. Major life moments—births, deaths, health crises, changes in relationships—influence who we are as individuals. Our philosophy should metamorphose, reflecting who we are and what we value. This statement of beliefs serves as our personal credo of music education. The behaviors of these beliefs must align with who we are. Holding fast to your values, perhaps it is time for you to revisit your personal philosophy of music education. Allow it to direct all your decisions as an educator.
\nMahatma Gandhi said, “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.”
\nThis idea encourages everyone to contemplate his or her beliefs—to consider the foundational principles that govern everyday decision making. Every choice has repercussions; therefore, it is essential that music educators understand and can articulate their beliefs about why music is important, why it should be included in the school curriculum, what kind of music should be experienced, who should teach it, and who should learn it. In creating a personal philosophy of music education, educators establish a raison d’être for their life’s work—a foundation and impetus behind every decision they make.
\nWhy Music? “The arts exist to make the seemingly ordinary extraordinary.” Music is an integral element in the lives of all people. It has a transformative power over everyone it contacts, an unparalleled ability to communicate directly with the soul and transcend reality. Music, in its capacity to achieve a sense of deep significance by going beyond the meanings made available by words to meanings only sounds can bring into being, has always been a major source of the quest for profound experience.
\nMusic is more than an activity, a pastime, or a hobby; it is integral to the human experience. To be able to express meaning and emotion, to prompt the senses through intricately planned noises, to unite unique individuals momentarily through a shared communal endeavor, is the art of music. Through music we experience the past, communicate with the present, and inform the future about the essence of humanity. “Music…is a demonstration of the human capacity to think—to be intelligent.”
\nWhy Music in School? “The primary aim of education is not to enable students to do well in school, but to help them do well in the lives they lead outside of school.”
\nA lifelong pursuit of musical experiences is valuable for everyone. It is integral, then, that music be included in school curriculum. If students do not have the opportunity to study music in schools, where or when will they? Consider the number of families that own pianos and encourage their students to take piano lessons. Valuing private musical instruction is no longer ubiquitous— it has been relegated to the affluent, educated, social elite. Without the free music education offered by public schools, society relinquishes the opportunity to musically educate all children, and services such as iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube take the place of general music teachers, ensemble directors, and private music instructors in the music education of America’s students. When students are exposed to and trained in music in school, they are more likely to participate in music as adults. Schools can encourage students to actively participate in music ensembles where they develop music reading, performance, critical thinking, work ethic, teamwork, and social skills. Through this, students can develop a passion for music making that motivates them to actively pursue musical outlets for the rest of their lives. The American public school is responsible not only for educating citizens to develop and maintain a democratic society but also for engendering in individuals the desire to continue their education throughout their lives.
\nWhat Music? All music has a place in the curriculum. Not only does the Western art tradition need to be preserved and disseminated, but music educators also need to be aware of other music that people experience and be able to integrate it into classroom music instruction.
\nThe music that educators choose to teach has an indelible impact on the musical development of their students. This music becomes their curriculum, the conduit through which students learn myriad musical elements, critical thinking, and sociocultural awareness. These pieces, then, should have merit so students experience the highest quality repertoire available. Careful consideration should be given to each piece of music educators put in front of their students. It is the obligation of all music educators to inform their students about high-quality repertoire—music representative of the most prominent composers from all time periods. It is also crucial to program music that makes students feel successful. The art of repertoire selection falls under the Goldilocks rule: the music conductors select should not be too hard, making students feel unsuccessful, neither should it be too easy, shielding them from the necessary challenges that accompany skill development. Other factors music educators should heed include the appropriateness and interest of the text, the range of each voice part—it is not enjoyable to sing something that is uncomfortable—the skill level of the ensemble, the social and cultural composition of the ensemble, and the way a song relates to the other repertoire the ensemble performs. Additionally, music educators should incorporate high quality music from various cultures and genres to expose students to differing forms of musical expression and to promote appreciation for and tolerance of differences. Music serves as a pathway for teaching humanity to students to expand their social and cultural understanding. For many students, school might be the only place they come to know cultures different from their own. The materials you choose offer you the privileged position of shaping children’s way of seeing the world.
\nWho Should Teach? Teaching music as a profession requires long-suffering commitment, unyielding passion, fierce tenacity, and genuine care and patience. People who desire to pursue music education as a profession must strive to create a classroom culture where creativity, musical artistry, friendship, safety, and learning are fostered continually. They must be lifelong learners themselves—modeling a quest for continual self-improvement for their students. Many are not equipped to fulfill the role of musical expert, professional educator, mentor, counselor, role model, or any of the other tasks music educators take on every day. While the demands and stress of this profession are at times unbending, the intangible rewards associated with positively impacting the lives of students through music endure and sustain. Music educators have the fortunate challenge of bridging two distinct genres: the world of musical performance and the field of education. To be effective, music educators must be fluent in both; lacking in either arena greatly limits teachers’ ability to positively influence students. A music performer is not necessarily equipped with the correct skill set to be a music educator; likewise, a general educator is not adequately trained in music to lead the musical development of students. The skills and traits that mysteriously combine to make up the fabric of a great music educator seem impossible to manifest in one human being. Fortunately, educators need not exhibit perfection in all areas of pedagogy to be effective. A teacher’s weaknesses only hinder student achievement when they go unchecked. Awareness, self-reflection, and motivation to improve are the keys to continued development and success in the profession of music education.
\nWho Should Learn? In the Housewright Declaration of 1999, leaders in the field of music education exclaimed that “all persons, regardless of age, cultural heritage, ability, venue, or financial circumstance deserve to participate fully in the best music experiences possible.”
\nAdditionally, “Musical expression can enlarge the personalities and enrich the social living of all, not just a few, children.” All students should have the opportunity to study music in school, and then, ideally, continue to experience music in various contexts throughout the rest of their lives. Fortunately, music educators can reach and communicate with all people through music, regardless of factors such as ability level, language, mental fortitude, and age. While it may not speak to everyone in the same way, music is unique in its ability to be enjoyed and valued by everyone. Developing a personal philosophy is paramount to the success of any professional. In the same way that major corporations have mission statements, countries have constitutions, and religions have sacred texts, educators must maintain in the forefront of their minds a concrete understanding of why they do what they do. This philosophical exploration is more than the amalgamation of novel ideas; rather, it is the engendering and the molding of a mind-set from which the teacher can shape the musical experiences of future generations. This enormous responsibility placed on music educators is palpable—weighing, pressing, and twisting deeper with every ineligible student, every unpleasant parent-teacher conference, every irrelevant assignment from administrators, and every out-of-tune chord at the end of an otherwise flawless performance. Regardless of this seemingly insurmountable burden, music educators press on, continuing the venerable work before them. Holding fast to their renewed understanding of why they do what they do, music educators directly affect how they engender hope for the future—by fostering humanity in young adults through music.
\n","related":[{"id":22935,"slug":"fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love","title":"Fifty Years, One Reason: Greg James and What He Did for Love","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 10, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 10","byline":"C. Michael Fox","excerpt":"SBO+: There are countless examples of music teachers who daily demonstrate \"Why Music?\" This remembrance of one came from a former band student. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Greg James made the...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love&id=22935","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Greg-James-SBO-Photo.jpeg"},{"id":22933,"slug":"teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead","title":"Teens Are Leaning on AI for Connection - Offer Them a Chair Instead","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 9, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 9","byline":"Marcia Neel","excerpt":"New research shows young people are turning to AI because they feel like a burden, can’t be their real selves, and have no one to turn to. We have the antidote. We've all seen the headlines...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead&id=22933","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Neel.jpg"},{"id":22898,"slug":"why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student","title":"Why Music Education is Vital for the Modern Student","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 6, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 6","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"For decades, music programs have often been the first to face the chopping block when school budgets tighten. Viewed by some as a \"luxury\" or a mere extracurricular hobby, music is frequentl...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student&id=22898","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UpClose-THP.png"}]},{"id":22898,"slug":"why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student","title":"Why Music Education is Vital for the Modern Student","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 6, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 6","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"For decades, music programs have often been the first to face the chopping block when school budgets tighten. Viewed by some as a \"luxury\" or a mere extracurricular hobby, music is frequentl...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music-education-is-vital-for-the-modern-student&id=22898","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UpClose-THP.png","content":"For decades, music programs have often been the first to face the chopping block when school budgets tighten. Viewed by some as a \"luxury\" or a mere extracurricular hobby, music is frequently sidelined in favor of core standardized testing subjects like math and literacy. However, this narrow view of education overlooks a fundamental truth: music is not just an art form—it is a powerful tool for cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and social cohesion. Integrating music into the standard curriculum is not a distraction from academic success; it is a primary driver of it.
\nThe Cognitive Symphony: Boosting Brain Power
\nThe neurological benefits of music education are perhaps the most compelling arguments for its preservation. Unlike many activities that utilize specific localized parts of the brain, playing an instrument or studying music theory requires a \"full-body workout\" for the mind.
\nWhen a student reads music, their brain is performing a high-speed translation of visual symbols into motor commands. This process strengthens the corpus callosum—the bridge between the left and right hemispheres of the brain—allowing for faster and more diverse communication between the analytical and creative centers. Research consistently shows that students involved in music programs score higher on standardized tests, particularly in spatial-temporal tasks. These tasks are the foundation for higher-level mathematics and engineering, as they require the ability to visualize and manipulate patterns in space and time.
\nFurthermore, music is inherently mathematical. It is built on ratios, fractions, and sequences. A student learning about time signatures and rhythmic subdivisions is, in essence, practicing applied fractions. By experiencing these concepts aurally and physically, the abstract nature of math becomes tangible.
\nEmotional Resonance and Mental Well-being
\nBeyond the data and test scores, music education serves a critical role in the emotional development of children. The modern school environment can be a pressure cooker of social anxiety and academic stress. Music provides a unique sanctuary for expression and emotional regulation.
\nFor many students, the music room is the one place during the school day where they are encouraged to feel deeply and express those feelings without the fear of being \"wrong.\" Whether it is the catharsis of a powerful crescendo or the quiet introspection of a solo piece, music allows students to process complex emotions. This fosters resilience and self-awareness.
\nMoreover, learning an instrument teaches the \"growth mindset\" in a way few other subjects can. Improvement in music is slow and requires disciplined practice. A student learns that failure—a wrong note or a missed beat—is not a permanent state but a necessary step toward mastery. This stays with a child long after they leave the rehearsal hall, giving them the confidence to tackle difficult challenges in other areas of life.
\nThe Social Fabric: Collaboration and Discipline
\nIn an increasingly digital and isolated world, music education demands physical presence and active collaboration. An ensemble, whether it is a choir, a marching band, or a jazz combo, is a microcosm of a functioning society.
\nIn a band, success is not individual; it is collective. A lead trumpeter cannot succeed if the rhythm section is out of sync. Students must learn to listen to one another with an intensity that is rarely (never?) required in a standard classroom. They must learn to lead, to follow, and to support their peers. This fosters a deep sense of empathy and accountability. If a student doesn't practice their part, the entire group suffers. This social contract teaches responsibility and the value of contributing to something larger than oneself.
\nCultural Literacy and Connection
\nMusic is a universal language, but it is also a historical record. Through music education, students are introduced to the sounds and stories of different cultures and eras. Studying the works of Mozart, the blues of the Mississippi Delta, or the traditional drumming of West Africa provides students with a global perspective.
\nBy performing music from diverse backgrounds, students gain an appreciation for the human experience across geographical and temporal boundaries. This builds cultural literacy and combats provincialism, preparing students to be empathetic citizens in a globalized world.
\nAddressing the \"Value\" Gap
\nThe argument against music education usually centers on \"utility.\" Critics ask: How many of these students will become professional musicians?
\nThis question misses the point of education entirely. We do not teach physical education only to produce professional athletes, nor do we teach chemistry only to produce lab scientists. We teach these subjects to create well-rounded, capable humans. Music education produces adults who are better listeners, more disciplined workers, more creative problem-solvers, and more empathetic neighbors.
\nIn the age of Artificial Intelligence, where rote tasks and basic calculations are increasingly automated, \"human\" skills—creativity, emotional intelligence, and collaborative spirit—are becoming the most valuable assets in the labor market. Music education is one of the most effective ways to sharpen these exact traits.
\nConclusion
\nMusic is not a \"frill\" to be enjoyed only after the \"real\" work of schooling is done. It is a core pillar of a comprehensive education. By investing in music programs, schools are investing in the cognitive health, emotional stability, and social maturity of their students. To cut music is to silence a vital part of a child's development. Don’t all students deserve that?
\n","related":[{"id":22935,"slug":"fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love","title":"Fifty Years, One Reason: Greg James and What He Did for Love","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 10, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 10","byline":"C. Michael Fox","excerpt":"SBO+: There are countless examples of music teachers who daily demonstrate \"Why Music?\" This remembrance of one came from a former band student. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Greg James made the...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love&id=22935","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Greg-James-SBO-Photo.jpeg"},{"id":22933,"slug":"teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead","title":"Teens Are Leaning on AI for Connection - Offer Them a Chair Instead","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 9, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 9","byline":"Marcia Neel","excerpt":"New research shows young people are turning to AI because they feel like a burden, can’t be their real selves, and have no one to turn to. We have the antidote. We've all seen the headlines...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=teens-are-leaning-on-ai-for-connection-offer-them-a-chair-instead&id=22933","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Neel.jpg"},{"id":22900,"slug":"why-music","title":"Why Music?","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"Brian C. Murray","excerpt":"Brian C. Murray is director of choral activities, assistant professor, and vocal arts area coordinator at the University of Wyoming. A version of this article appeared in Choral Journal, Apr...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music&id=22900","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_852091040-1-scaled.jpeg"}]},{"id":22896,"slug":"why-music","title":"Why Music?","category":"Perspective","categories":["July 2026","Perspective"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","perspective"],"date":"Jul 3, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 3","byline":"Col. (USA Ret.) Thomas H. Palmatier","excerpt":"In this issue we dive into the reasons for doing what we do. Summer is not only a time to rest and recharge, it can also be an opportunity to examine the why of our occupation. If it's not b...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music&id=22896","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tom2.jpg","content":"In this issue we dive into the reasons for doing what we do. Summer is not only a time to rest and recharge, it can also be an opportunity to examine the why of our occupation. If it's not because that’s where the big bucks are, it’s important for each of us to have a purpose to guide our decisions. We offer you four articles looking to answer the question, “Why Music?” By investing in music education, we are not only fostering future artists but also nurturing a generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers who can contribute positively to our society.
\nLast year, we debuted our Teachers’ Choice Awards. I will admit I didn’t know if it would be successful, especially in its first year. It turns out there were thousands of ballots cast and the manufacturers and publishers who won were thrilled because their most important customers had selected them.
\nNominations are now open for this year’s product categories. Make your voice heard by nominating your favorite products at https://artistpro.media/teachers-choice-awards/.
\nThis is a note from Mike Lawson, our publisher:
\nThis week marks the 5th anniversary of my acquisition of MMR Magazine and SB&O—now SBO+ Magazine, —by the real ArtistPro, the company that has served music professionals for more than 26 years through online platforms, books, videos, directories, periodicals, and direct connections to the music products and music education industries. Our work has helped millions become better lifelong music makers, and that mission continues today.
\nFive years later, we’ve transformed what had become a traditional print publishing operation into a next-generation Music Industry Intelligence Platform at artistpro.com.
\nToday, artistpro serves music manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, distributors, publishers, associations, universities and colleges, K–12 music and fine arts programs, student travel organizations, military music and recruiting programs, arts nonprofits, and service providers with proprietary market intelligence and strategic research. It's the next level from advertising in MMR and SBO+, it teaches you how to do that more effectively, and improve all of your business planning, whether you advertise, or not.
\nAt the heart of the platform is Industry Insights. Rather than simply searching the web or summarizing articles, it synthesizes decades of proprietary editorial content, commercial relationships, product ecosystem intelligence, campaign history, education data, geographic intelligence, and authoritative public sources into executive-ready business reports that help organizations understand not just what is happening, but why it matters.
\nIn Q3 2026, we’ll take another major step forward with the launch of Spatial Intelligence. Spatial Intelligence goes far beyond heatmaps, revealing relationships across companies, brands, products, schools, colleges, districts, dealer networks, territories, campaigns, editorial coverage, market trends, and business opportunities to help organizations see patterns that have never before been visible in one place.
\nOur mission has never been simply to publish books, videos, directories, or magazines.
\nOur mission is to build the intelligence platform for the music products and music education industries—the connective tissue that helps every part of the ecosystem make better decisions, from a student’s very first encounter with music through a lifetime of performance, teaching, manufacturing, retailing, publishing, and leadership.
\nWe’re musicians first, and that perspective continues to guide everything we build.
\nThank you to our readers, advertisers, contributors, partners, and the thousands of organizations that have trusted us over the past five years. Special thanks to Col. (Ret) Thomas H Palmatier Editor-in-Chief of SBO+ Magazine, and Christian Wissmuller, Executive Editor of MMR Magazine, for helping position these publications—and artistpro Media—for this next chapter.
\nIf you’re in one of our industries, and would like to see where they are headed, request complimentary access at artistpro.com.
\nMike Lawson
","related":[{"id":22846,"slug":"breathe-then-reinvent-yourself","title":"Breathe – Then Reinvent Yourself","category":"Perspective","categories":["June 2026","Perspective"],"categorySlugs":["june-2026","perspective"],"date":"Jun 1, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 1","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"Occasionally, I believe I’ve fallen in a time warp where weeks pass in an instant or time drags so slowly you think a thing will never end. Along with working on SBO+, I’m also manager of a...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=breathe-then-reinvent-yourself&id=22846","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Perspective.jpg"},{"id":22806,"slug":"the-future-looks-bright","title":"The Future Looks Bright","category":"Perspective","categories":["May 2026","Perspective"],"categorySlugs":["may-2026","perspective"],"date":"May 7, 2026","shortDate":"May 7","byline":"Tom Palmatier, Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"This issue celebrates our current music educators while embracing new ways of serving you. The future is indeed bright! Introducing the 2026 class of “50+ Music Teachers Who Make a Differenc...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=the-future-looks-bright&id=22806","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_1874180587-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22738,"slug":"the-start-of-an-era","title":"The Start of an Era","category":"Perspective","categories":["April 2026","Perspective"],"categorySlugs":["april2026","perspective"],"date":"Apr 1, 2026","shortDate":"Apr 1","byline":"Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief","excerpt":"Normally, you read of the end of an era, but not this time. More about this below but first, the main topic of this issue is summer professional development. In UpClose, we include articles...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=the-start-of-an-era&id=22738","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_158457472-scaled.jpeg"}]}],"newProducts":[{"id":41311,"slug":"proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands","title":"Proel launches Pro1991 series microphone stands","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 21, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 21","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New series features die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable joints for professional use","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=proel-launches-pro1991-series-microphone-stands&id=23165","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/proel-pro1991-stands-hero.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":41301,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Beginning Guitar and Beyond Method","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 20, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 20","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New book and video collection offers nearly three hours of instruction for $34.99","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-beginning-guitar-and-beyond-method&id=23162","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal_beginning_guitar_cover.jpg","imageFocusX":0.5,"imageFocusY":0.5,"imageGravity":"center"},{"id":41177,"slug":"godin-guitars-launches-rik-emmett-premiere-signature-model","title":"Godin Guitars launches Rik Emmett Premiere signature model","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 17, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 17","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Limited edition instrument features Canadian wild cherry body, MjS humbuckers","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=godin-guitars-launches-rik-emmett-premiere-signature-model&id=23119","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/godin-rik-emmett-premiere-front-close-up-hero.jpg"},{"id":40868,"slug":"ik-multimedia-releases-brown-panel-signature-collection-for-tonex","title":"IK Multimedia Releases Brown Panel Signature Collection for TONEX","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 16, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 16","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Collection features 80 tone models from nine rare amplifiers from 1959 to 1963","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=ik-multimedia-releases-brown-panel-signature-collection-for-tonex&id=22996","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ik-tonex-brown-panel-main-banner-hero.jpg"},{"id":40869,"slug":"eastman-introduces-eas852-52nd-street-alto-saxophone","title":"Eastman Introduces EAS852 52nd Street Alto Saxophone","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 15, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 15","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Instrument developed with saxophonist Alex Hahn features dual-neck system","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=eastman-introduces-eas852-52nd-street-alto-saxophone&id=22998","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/eastman-eas852-image-1-hero.jpg"},{"id":40751,"slug":"electro-harmonix-unveils-deluxe-big-muff-pi-2","title":"Electro-Harmonix Unveils Deluxe Big Muff Pi 2","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 14, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 14","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"New pedal offers flexible fuzz shaping and expanded control.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=electro-harmonix-unveils-deluxe-big-muff-pi-2&id=22955","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-1-3-hero.jpg"},{"id":40749,"slug":"galaxy-audio-introduces-rm-bt26-half-rack-stereo-bluetooth-receiver","title":"Galaxy Audio Introduces Rm-bt26 Half Rack Stereo Bluetooth Receiver","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 14, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 14","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Galaxy Audio Inc. has introduced the RM-BT26 Half Rack Stereo Bluetooth Receiver, a compact and reliable solution designed to add...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=galaxy-audio-introduces-rm-bt26-half-rack-stereo-bluetooth-receiver&id=22951","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-2-1-hero.jpg"},{"id":40748,"slug":"musik-hack-launches-hyfi-a-new-online-mastering-platform","title":"Musik Hack Launches HyFi, a New Online Mastering Platform","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 14, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 14","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"** The platform offers fast and easy mastering with professional results at an affordable price.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=musik-hack-launches-hyfi-a-new-online-mastering-platform&id=22949","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/remote-image-1-1-hero-1.jpg"},{"id":40713,"slug":"hal-leonard-releases-jazz-rock-guitar-improvisation-by-alex-skolnick-dave-rubin","title":"Hal Leonard Releases Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation by Alex Skolnick & Dave Rubin","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 8, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 8","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Hal Leonard is proud to announce the release of Jazz-Rock Guitar Improvisation: Modal Systems, Modern Chords, and Musical Freedom...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=hal-leonard-releases-jazz-rock-guitar-improvisation-by-alex-skolnick-dave-rubin&id=22929","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hal-leonard-jazz-rock-guitar-improvisation.jpeg"},{"id":40678,"slug":"shure-introduces-action-isolator-software","title":"Shure Introduces Action Isolator Software","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Shure has introduced Action Isolator, professional audio-processing software designed to isolate key action sounds across up to ei...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=shure-introduces-action-isolator-software&id=22909","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/shure-action-isolator-product-hero.jpg"},{"id":40675,"slug":"ua-brings-black-box-analog-design-hg-2-and-elysia-karacter-plug-ins-to-apollo","title":"UA Brings Black Box Analog Design HG-2 and elysia karacter Plug-Ins to Apollo","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jul 7, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 7","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"Universal Audio has introduced Black Box Analog Design HG-2 and elysia karacter plug-ins for Apollo and UAD hardware.","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=ua-brings-black-box-analog-design-hg-2-and-elysia-karacter-plug-ins-to-apollo&id=22905","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ua-hg2-product-hero.jpg"},{"id":40685,"slug":"excelcia-music-publishing-releases-2026-2027-concert-band-music-catalog","title":"Excelcia Music Publishing Releases 2026-2027 Concert Band Music Catalog","category":"New Products","categories":["New Products"],"categorySlugs":["new-products"],"date":"Jun 30, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 30","byline":"SBO+ Staff","excerpt":"The new release features a variety of works for all levels of skill and musicianship, as well as seasonal, holiday, and contest an...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=excelcia-music-publishing-releases-2026-2027-concert-band-music-catalog&id=22913","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/excelcia-music-publishing-releases-2026-2027-concert-band-music-catalog-hero.jpg"}],"conferenceCalendar":[{"name":"WMEA Conference (Wisconsin)","date":"Oct 22-24, 2026","month":"Oct","day":"22","location":"Madison, WI","url":"https://www.wmeamusic.org/","type":"mea"},{"name":"NCMEA Conference","date":"Nov 8-10, 2026","month":"Nov","day":"8","location":"Winston-Salem, NC","url":"https://www.ncmea.net/","type":"mea"},{"name":"LMEA Conference","date":"Nov 12-14, 2026","month":"Nov","day":"12","location":"Baton Rouge, LA","url":"https://www.lmeamusic.org/","type":"mea"},{"name":"IMEA Conference (Iowa)","date":"Nov 19-21, 2026","month":"Nov","day":"19","location":"Des Moines, IA","url":"https://www.iamea.org/","type":"mea"},{"name":"NMEA Conference (Nebraska)","date":"Nov 19-21, 2026","month":"Nov","day":"19","location":"Kearney, NE","url":"https://www.nemusiceduc.org/","type":"mea"},{"name":"NYSSMA Conference","date":"Dec 3-5, 2026","month":"Dec","day":"3","location":"Rochester, NY","url":"https://www.nyssma.org/","type":"mea"},{"name":"Midwest Clinic","date":"Dec 16-19, 2026","month":"Dec","day":"16","location":"Chicago, IL","url":"https://www.midwestclinic.org/","type":"major"}],"departments":[{"id":22935,"slug":"fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love","title":"Fifty Years, One Reason: Greg James and What He Did for Love","category":"UpClose","categories":["July 2026","UpClose"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","upclose"],"date":"Jul 10, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 10","byline":"C. Michael Fox","excerpt":"SBO+: There are countless examples of music teachers who daily demonstrate \"Why Music?\" This remembrance of one came from a former band student. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Greg James made the...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=fifty-years-one-reason-greg-james-and-what-he-did-for-love&id=22935","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Greg-James-SBO-Photo.jpeg"},{"id":22861,"slug":"policy-paradox-accountability-in-arts-education","title":"Policy Paradox: Accountability in Arts Education","category":"Advocacy","categories":["Advocacy","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["advocacy","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 17, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 17","byline":"Laurie T. Schell, Elevate Arts Ed","excerpt":"Money and policy are usually cast as the engines of accountability. In arts education, though, the story is messier. The real question is what actually drives accountability—and what states...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=policy-paradox-accountability-in-arts-education&id=22861","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_87893384-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22896,"slug":"why-music","title":"Why Music?","category":"Perspective","categories":["July 2026","Perspective"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","perspective"],"date":"Jul 3, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 3","byline":"Col. (USA Ret.) Thomas H. Palmatier","excerpt":"In this issue we dive into the reasons for doing what we do. Summer is not only a time to rest and recharge, it can also be an opportunity to examine the why of our occupation. If it's not b...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=why-music&id=22896","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tom2.jpg"},{"id":22869,"slug":"ask-a-conductor","title":"Ask a Conductor","category":"Choral","categories":["Choral","June 2026"],"categorySlugs":["choral","june-2026"],"date":"Jun 22, 2026","shortDate":"Jun 22","byline":"Brian Jones and Karla McClain","excerpt":"From Chorteach with permission from ACDA How do you assess your middle school singers to determine vocal range? Brian Jones Choir Director at Canton Middle School and Canton High School bjon...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=ask-a-conductor&id=22869","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_877034366-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22773,"slug":"conducting-habits-for-better-ensemble-musicianship","title":"Conducting Habits for Better Ensemble Musicianship","category":"Concert Band","categories":["April 2026","Concert Band"],"categorySlugs":["april2026","concert-band"],"date":"Apr 20, 2026","shortDate":"Apr 20","byline":"Dr. Isaac Brinberg","excerpt":"When clinicing middle and high school band programs, I have noticed some common conducting issues that hinder an ensemble’s musical potential. Below are suggestions that address these common...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=conducting-habits-for-better-ensemble-musicianship&id=22773","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_168255461-scaled.jpeg"},{"id":22992,"slug":"solving-pitch-challenges-in-the-orchestral-wind-section","title":"Solving Pitch Challenges in the Orchestral Wind Section","category":"Orchestra","categories":["July 2026","Orchestra"],"categorySlugs":["july-2026","orchestra"],"date":"Jul 16, 2026","shortDate":"Jul 16","byline":"Charles West","excerpt":"The following article sample was reprinted from American String Teacher, vol 72, issue 4 with permission from ASTA and the author. The inspiration for this article was a session at a recent...","sourceUrl":"https://sboplus.net/new/article.php?slug=solving-pitch-challenges-in-the-orchestral-wind-section&id=22992","image":"https://sboplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_591410198-scaled.jpeg"}],"issues":[{"id":546,"title":"July 2026","coverUrl":"https://artistpro.media/wp-content/uploads/magazines/sbo/2026/SBO-July_2026_Cover.jpg","url":"https://artistpro.media/magazine-viewer/?pdf=https%3A%2F%2Fartistpro.media%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmagazines%2Fsbo%2F2026%2FSBO-July_2026.pdf&title=July+2026","hasDigital":true,"archiveUrl":"https://sboplus.net/archives/july-2026/","issueDate":"2026-07-01"},{"id":544,"title":"June 2026","coverUrl":"https://artistpro.media/wp-content/uploads/magazines/sbo/2026/SBO-June_2026_Cover.jpg","url":"https://artistpro.media/magazine-viewer/?pdf=https%3A%2F%2Fartistpro.media%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmagazines%2Fsbo%2F2026%2FSBO-June_2026.pdf&title=June+2026","hasDigital":true,"archiveUrl":"https://sboplus.net/archives/june-2026/","issueDate":"2026-06-01"},{"id":541,"title":"May 2026","coverUrl":"https://artistpro.media/wp-content/uploads/magazines/sbo/2026/SBO-May_2026_Cover.jpg","url":"https://artistpro.media/magazine-viewer/?pdf=https%3A%2F%2Fartistpro.media%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmagazines%2Fsbo%2F2026%2FSBO-May_2026.pdf&title=May+2026","hasDigital":true,"archiveUrl":"https://sboplus.net/archives/may-2026/","issueDate":"2026-05-04"},{"id":539,"title":"April 2026","coverUrl":"https://artistpro.media/wp-content/uploads/magazines/sbo/2026/SBO-April_2026_Cover.jpg","url":"https://artistpro.media/magazine-viewer/?pdf=https%3A%2F%2Fartistpro.media%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmagazines%2Fsbo%2F2026%2FSBO-April_2026.pdf&title=April+2026","hasDigital":true,"archiveUrl":"https://sboplus.net/archives/april-2026/","issueDate":"2026-04-01"},{"id":536,"title":"March 2026","coverUrl":"https://artistpro.media/wp-content/uploads/magazines/sbo/2026/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-6.45.32-PM.png","url":"https://artistpro.media/magazine-viewer/?pdf=https%3A%2F%2Fartistpro.media%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmagazines%2Fsbo%2F2026%2FSBO031026.pdf&title=March%202026","hasDigital":true,"archiveUrl":"https://sboplus.net/archives/march-2026/","issueDate":"2026-03-01"}]}