Chops

After an experience with a great wedding DJ, Jack shares with Steve what running a classroom and a dance floor could have in common. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

If the one axis is achieving excellence and the other is time spent rehearsing, what is the best formula? When should time be added or removed from a calendar? Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

On this episode Jack and Steve share their traditions, activities, and strategies when it comes to the last days of school in an instrumental music program. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

As the school year winds down, the hosts share their thoughts about retention for middle and high school programs. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

One of the most important events for a band or orchestra program is instrument try-ons, where incoming beginners choose their instruments. The duo shares insight and some humorous stories from the event. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Feeding a group of kids is a great opportunity to teach soft skills. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

It's the time of year where energy is low, caffeine intake is high, and everyone is working to get through to the finish line. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

The Monday following prom is the unofficial day for seniors to play hookie. Classes are small, the parking lot is empty, and the energy changes. Jack and Steve discuss how days like this can look in the classroom. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

In this lighter episode, Jack and Steve share outrageous stories from live performances in their teaching careers. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Contest is only 9 school days away - Jack and Steve share what takes place in the time leading up to the bands' high-stakes performances. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Inspired by the spring variety concert, this episode explores the importance of stage presence across a variety of ensembles and how to craft it. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

This episode centers on the power of saying okay and refusing the need to justify an answer, opinion, or student request. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

A more practical episode - each host shares two actual teaching techniques that work for them in the classroom. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Praising groups is important, but how often should it happen? Being demanding of a group should happen, but how is it done tactfully? How can a teacher ride the wave without coming across as mean or insincere? This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chops...

Deescalating a situation is effectively is like becoming jello - it's pretty hard to fight. Jack and Steve explore the analogy with some tips, techniques, and tales from the classroom. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwa...

Going a little more music-centric this week - Jack and Steve discuss the importance of programming and how to effectively select music for the ensemble. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

"I'm texting my mom" is a common response to "put your phone away." This episode explores the outcomes of phone bans in schools and how students (and teachers) have responded. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-sh...

Having another teacher in the classroom is a lifesaver - if done correctly. Jack and Steve share their thoughts on how to create the most effective co-teaching relationship. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collecti...

Chops Podcast teams up with Bryan Munoz and Andrew Moran from Music Travel Consultants to discuss the overlap between teaching and trip-leading. Thank you to MTC for purchasing our microphones! This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fou...

With very few minutes in the classroom due to inclement weather, the duo speak to the importance of making every second count, along with some other hot topics in education. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collecti...

Ragebait (aka trolling) is a buzzword in K-12 classrooms - students try to bait each other or their teachers into getting angry. This episode discusses what it looks like, how to greet it, and what its friend, "Joybait" can look like. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/ Check o...

Moments create a sense of belonging and authenticity in the classroom - it's a teacher's job to craft them for students. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

A lesson might not go well if the teacher is unsure of what might happen next. Seeing the future is a skill for all teachers to develop in order to promote mastery in the classroom. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Looking back on the semester, Steve and Jack identify areas in their craft in which to improve while also recognizing what worked well. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

This episode takes a more lighthearted approach as the duo shares the typical experience of a teacher at the end of the first semester. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/