Tips for the first year Music Teacher
Here you will find a few things that a new teacher should think about during the summer before they start their first job. The sections below are combinations of thoughts from music teachers all over.
Handbook
Be sure to include a calendar
- Dates and times outside the typical school schedule are expected of all choral students
Uniform expectations
Behavioral expectations
Grading policy
Contact information
Signed contract by both student and parent
- Acknowledge concert dates
- Understand uniform policy
- Understand grading policy
Give meaning to your choruses
Talk to your guidance counselors and give them a nutshell description of each chorus and the expectations for those choruses, including any extra rehearsals or gigs.
Expectations
Cover these from day one…..take the time now to establish these….saves time in the long run.
Should include behavioral and academic expectations
What defines an “A” in my class?
What behavior is appropriate for a successful rehearsal?
Post them in your room…..make them clear and concise
Here you will find a few things that a new teacher should think about during the summer before they start their first job. The sections below are combinations of thoughts from music teachers all over.
Handbook
Be sure to include a calendar
- Dates and times outside the typical school schedule are expected of all choral students
Uniform expectations
Behavioral expectations
Grading policy
Contact information
Signed contract by both student and parent
- Acknowledge concert dates
- Understand uniform policy
- Understand grading policy
Give meaning to your choruses
Talk to your guidance counselors and give them a nutshell description of each chorus and the expectations for those choruses, including any extra rehearsals or gigs.
Expectations
Cover these from day one…..take the time now to establish these….saves time in the long run.
Should include behavioral and academic expectations
What defines an “A” in my class?
What behavior is appropriate for a successful rehearsal?
Post them in your room…..make them clear and concise
Procedures
Think through the flow of your class
How will students enter/exit?
How will they get their folders or music?
What will they do while you take attendance?
How will you start your rehearsal?
PRACTICE YOUR PROCEDURES – don’t assume they know what entering quietly means.
****All-State****
All-state deadlines and auditions come up quickly
Find out any and all information you can from another teacher to better prepare you for explaination to your students
Plan your rehearsal schedule and selection process for choosing kids to audition
Find out the expectation for written and sight-reading exam
*After the first concert, make yourself available for the parents to meet and greet with you. Remember this may be the first time a lot of the parents get to meet you.
They will be curious!*
Uniforms
Figure out uniform requirements for the year; include all cost issues and how uniforms will be funded.
- Students should know early on if there is a financial obligation to being in chorus…..also stated in handbook.
Uniform issues should be dealt with sooner than later…..the semester gets away from you quickly
Get help from the RIGHT parent(s) or another teacher such as Home Economics; this is not a job you should have to do on your own.
Music Literacy
How are your students going to learn how to read music?
- Be sequential
- Consider living in one key, like C, for a short time and then moving on to a new key (its easier for students to comprehend natural notes)
Develop procedure and expectation for students
Think through ways to assess reading skills (individual assessment is important)
Plan having your students read every day!
Always plan for the Weakest Link! Do not every assume that everyone gets it! You will have those stellar students and you should ALWAYS strive for the best; just be prepared for anything!!!
**Keep an easy log of what worked and didn’t work. Do this in any form that works for you. Ex. calendar, plan book, etc.**
Recruitment
One of your biggest efforts should be recruiting new students into your program. You are encouraged to begin, if the school has not already, and maintain a relationship with your feeder and/or target schools. COMMUNICATE!!!!! Performances by your students, visits, teacher consultation, exchanges, auditions, involvement of your feeder in a concert, etc. are just a few ways to keep in touch. Recruitment within your own school should be a constant consideration. The size and quality of your program is limited only by your own artistic ability and development of support from administration, parents, students and community.
Links: There are many more. These are just the ones I normally use. Also, please make sure that you sign up for the music magazines, journals, and daily e-mails. You never know what will come in them!!!
www.choralnet.org (Great website of forums, tips, classifieds, and more)
http://acda.org/
www.menc.org
www.jwpepper.com
www.sheetmusicplus.com
www.choralcharisma.com (tips for enhancing choral programs)
http://www.fva.net/ctr/ (this site comes from Florida Vocal Association.. it has good resources)
www.sepapparel.com
http://www.cln.org/subjects/music_cur.html (a resource page of links to sites)
http://www.classicalarchives.com/ (great site for scores and accompaniments MP3 & MIDI)
Think through the flow of your class
How will students enter/exit?
How will they get their folders or music?
What will they do while you take attendance?
How will you start your rehearsal?
PRACTICE YOUR PROCEDURES – don’t assume they know what entering quietly means.
****All-State****
All-state deadlines and auditions come up quickly
Find out any and all information you can from another teacher to better prepare you for explaination to your students
Plan your rehearsal schedule and selection process for choosing kids to audition
Find out the expectation for written and sight-reading exam
*After the first concert, make yourself available for the parents to meet and greet with you. Remember this may be the first time a lot of the parents get to meet you.
They will be curious!*
Uniforms
Figure out uniform requirements for the year; include all cost issues and how uniforms will be funded.
- Students should know early on if there is a financial obligation to being in chorus…..also stated in handbook.
Uniform issues should be dealt with sooner than later…..the semester gets away from you quickly
Get help from the RIGHT parent(s) or another teacher such as Home Economics; this is not a job you should have to do on your own.
Music Literacy
How are your students going to learn how to read music?
- Be sequential
- Consider living in one key, like C, for a short time and then moving on to a new key (its easier for students to comprehend natural notes)
Develop procedure and expectation for students
Think through ways to assess reading skills (individual assessment is important)
Plan having your students read every day!
Always plan for the Weakest Link! Do not every assume that everyone gets it! You will have those stellar students and you should ALWAYS strive for the best; just be prepared for anything!!!
**Keep an easy log of what worked and didn’t work. Do this in any form that works for you. Ex. calendar, plan book, etc.**
Recruitment
One of your biggest efforts should be recruiting new students into your program. You are encouraged to begin, if the school has not already, and maintain a relationship with your feeder and/or target schools. COMMUNICATE!!!!! Performances by your students, visits, teacher consultation, exchanges, auditions, involvement of your feeder in a concert, etc. are just a few ways to keep in touch. Recruitment within your own school should be a constant consideration. The size and quality of your program is limited only by your own artistic ability and development of support from administration, parents, students and community.
Links: There are many more. These are just the ones I normally use. Also, please make sure that you sign up for the music magazines, journals, and daily e-mails. You never know what will come in them!!!
www.choralnet.org (Great website of forums, tips, classifieds, and more)
http://acda.org/
www.menc.org
www.jwpepper.com
www.sheetmusicplus.com
www.choralcharisma.com (tips for enhancing choral programs)
http://www.fva.net/ctr/ (this site comes from Florida Vocal Association.. it has good resources)
www.sepapparel.com
http://www.cln.org/subjects/music_cur.html (a resource page of links to sites)
http://www.classicalarchives.com/ (great site for scores and accompaniments MP3 & MIDI)