Music Resource Page
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Music Resource Page
This page is offered to share resources with music teachers and other advocates of music education. Some are focused on school music and others are aimed toward training outside the school environment (private lessons, etc.). I hope that you will find something here that will help you. If you hear of other sources or programs that might be helpful, or hear anything adverse about these sites, please share.
- SupportMusic – A site sponsored by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) and the National Association for Music Education (MENC) as an advocacy resource. Includes links to download-able literature that clearly explains the benefits and importance of school music education beyond the obvious “love of music” aspects.
- Grammy In The Schools – This program from the Grammy Foundation supports high school music programs in several ways, ranging from grants to opportunities for students to participate in jazz ensembles, learn how to DJ, and attend Grammy Camp, an intense week-long opportunity to experience what is involved in putting on professional shows, starting at the beginning with the songwriting. The foundation also has artists who visit schools and speak about the benefits of music education and career opportunities in the music industry.
- Discovery Through Music – The Grammy Foundation and Campbell Soup Company’s “Labels for Education” have partnered to make this 6-week K-6 curriculum available free to schools participating in the “Labels for Education” program. This curriculum will “provide sequential, creative and fun opportunities to understand and apply the basic elements of music (beat, tempo, rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, dynamics, timbre, and texture) while integrating language arts, math, science, and technology into the curriculum.”
- Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation – This foundation was started in 1996 by the late Michael Kamen, composer for the film of the same name that told the story of a struggling composer who went to work as a high school music teacher and the impact he had on generations of students. The foundation provides new or refurbished instruments to under-funded schools and after-school programs to help them to continue providing music education to students who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
- Wanna Play Music – This is another site by NAMM which goes beyond the school music programs and talks to the individual about why they might want to play and how to go about getting started. Included are testimonials from a wide range of well-known individuals, from actors to athletes, from musicians to politicians, with a supermodel thrown in, talking about how they got started in music and what music has meant in their lives. There is a section on different instruments, describing their histories, how they are used, and things to look for when buying one, to help someone who is wanting to play but not sure what instrument they want to start with. There are also two search boxes that enable you to search for musical instrument dealers and teachers near your home. The search box for teachers is powered by TakeLessons.com.
- TakeLessons.com- TakeLessons bills themselves as “America’s full-service singing and
music lessons provider, offering customized private lessons and school music programs in over 2,800 U.S. cities.” They provide the customer with a way to locate a teacher in their area for their instrument. After deciding on a teacher, the customer has the convenience of paying online. This seems like it would be a bonus for both ends of the transaction. Teachers don’t have to go out looking for new students and don’t have to take valuable lesson time payment for collecting payments. Parents, especially those new to an area, don’t have to invest time in locating teachers. They also have the convenience of online payments, so there is no risk of “Little Johnny” losing a payment en route to the teacher’s studio or forgetting to give it to her. - Music Matters Blog – Natalie Wickham, an independent piano teacher in Derby, Kansas, writes “Music Matters” as a resource for other teachers. She brings in ideas from her own experience and links to resources she has found. A valuable asset for any teacher.
This list is by no means comprehensive. If you know of other sites, please send me a message. I’d love to take a look at them.
