How To Teach Music with Jessica Grant

In Episode 242 I talked about how to prepare a musical and shared four areas to get you started:  selecting a musical, gathering content ideas, holding auditions and getting started with the first rehearsal. Last week in episode 243 I talked about how to structure and organize your rehearsals so that you can maximize the time you have to teach scenes and songs. Today it's all about the performance...

Get your Musical Theatre Prep Guide HERE !  The guide is a fully editable Google Doc with over 10 pages of content that can help you plan everything from auditions to casting to student groups, rehearsal schedules and more! Today's episode is all about how to structure and organize rehearals for musical theatre productions using rehearsal groups, student leaders and planning content. Check out las...

Doing a spring musical?  Today's focus is about how to prepare for the musical.  Some of the things you might want to think about before auditions begin and before rehearsals start.  All the things to consider as you select your musical, prepare documents for casting and costumes, the audition process and planning out your first rehearsal. Follow me on Instagram at @howtoteachmusicwithjessica Webs...

Do you present at music teacher workshops and conferences?  Or is this something you're hoping to do?  I'm here to help! I'm sharing four things you should consider when presenting music educator workshops: 1 - Session Titles 2 - Session Content 3 - Pacing 4 - Visuals with Googles Slides, Powerpoint, etc. You'll hear ideas for how to get started, plan a session and implement what you already do in...

The Afternoon Ti Podcast is shifting to a new name:  How to Teach Music with Jessica Grant.  There are several reasons for this rebranding, which I share in today's episode.  You'll hear what's staying the same (music ed content) and what's changing (titles of content). Another new change:  I have a new instagram handle.  @highafternoonti is now... @howtoteachmusicwithJessica If you listen to my p...

I'm always looking for new ideas to use for creative movement in the classroom.  There was a video that came across my social media feed of a large group performing choreographed hand movements that were sharp and precise.  The performers wore all black clothing and sat in a riser formation.  They used their arms and hands to create motions that moved in straight lines, parallel lines, and in cano...

Today I'm sharing how to create an Orff arrangement of a pop song using barred instruments, ukuleles or recorders.  You'll hear: - How to select a song - How to arrange and transpose the piece to work with instruments - Ideas for teaching the piece - Options for adding harmony and percussion parts Head over to my website www.jessicagrant.org for teacher content - blog posts, shop resources, course...

Today I'll be sharing how to process an Orff barred instrument piece.  Everything from how to read the score to leading students through the learning process. Head over to my website www.jessicagrant.org for teacher content - blog posts, shop resources, and more.  Join my free mailing list for monthly newsletter containing free lesson ideas, thoughts on music education, teacher health and wellness...

Do you have a default way of introducing a song to your students?  For many years my default was to teach by rote.  I'd sing the song for students and then ask them to echo the phrases back and forth until they've learned the piece.  It's functional, practical and gets the job done!  But learning every single piece in the same way at the beginning can become mundane for both you and the students. ...

You've found a musical piece that you want to teach to your students.  You might know exactly what you want to do with the piece, a slight idea or no idea at all.  It may be a piece you heard recently at a workshop and want to find a way to incorporate.  Or a song you came across in a resource, but need some time to figure out what you want to do with it.  Here are seven ways to process a piece th...

Happy New Year!!  It's the fourth annual goal review and goal setting episode!  I'm sharing how some of my goals went for 2022 and giving a sneak peek into what I'm working towards in 2023. Want to work towards your goals?!  Check out the Get Your Goals Course in the shop on my website .  Eight video lessons, pdf workbooks, and online google sheet templates.  I take you through the process that ha...

Today's episode will share segments from four of your favorite episodes from 2022: Episode 220:  Empowering Ensemble with Tech with Theresa Hoover Episode 224: A Discussion about Music Education with Franklin Willis Episode 225: Canva with Janice Wintermyer Episode 226:  The Myth of Doing it All with Dr. Sarah Gulish   Follow me on Instagram:  @highafternoonti Website:  www.jessicagrant.org

It's the end of the year and we're celebrating with highlights from some of the most downloaded episodes in 2022. You'll hear segments from: Episode 192: Singing with Amy Knous Episode 198:  Student Choice with Christina Reardon Episode 206:  Elemental Music with Kate Bright Episode 215:  Rockstar Planner with Suz Paulinski Episode 217:  Middle School Choir with Jodi Coke   Afternoon Ti: Website -...

Looking for something that's simple, fun and easy to teach this month?  Here are three musical activities that my students love: 1 - A Musical Parody: Holiday Edition 2 - The Nutcracker Ballet 3 - Carol of the Bells (listen in to the most downloaded episode ever of Afternoon Ti for more details:  Episode 130) Get all materials and lesson activites for FREE on my website : www.jessicagrant.org Whil...

In October I had the privilege of being interviewed by Victoria Boler for her podcast Elemental Conversations .  We discussed three main areas: 1. How to ask for help 2. How to have conversations with parents 3. How to have difficult conversations with parents I hope you enjoy our conversation and a special thank you to Victoria for allowing me to share our talk on the Afternoon Ti podcast. If you...

December is often one of the most hectic months of teaching.  Programs.  Holidays.  Excitement.  Parties.  Events.  It's joyful and stressful.  Beth Duhon is here to share seven ideas for surviving teaching in December.  Want more teacher health and wellness ideas?  Check out our conversation in episodes 147 and 148. About Beth:  Beth Duhon has presented on music teacher self-care for the OAKE nat...

This year's AOSA Conference was one of my favorites.  Great sessions.  New friends.  Time for learning and taking it all in.  Listen in to hear some personal reflections from the conference, one particular thing that stood out, and why you should come join in the fun next year.

How do we bring musical experiences to students in the general music room?  How do we get their input and help them learn musical content that they enjoy?  Dr. Virginia Davis shares how we can give our older opportunities to share what they want to learn, use our strengths as teachers to provide possibilities, and shares about the importance of enjoying personal musicianship outside of the classro...

Loops pedals.  Viola.  Art.  Music.  Empathy and Connection.  Kathryn Patricia is sharing about all of these art forms today as we discuss blending music and art, sound journals, growing connection in our community and expressing our emotions through music. Links Website: kathrynpatricia.com Instagram: @kathrynpatriciaviolist Kathryn Patricia Music Invite Kathryn Patricia into your classroom virtu...

Dr. Sarah Gulish is a phenomenal human being who serves in many roles as Co-founder of F-Flat books, music educator, author, publisher, wife, mom, friend and more that I'm sure I have just forgotten to share.  All of us serve in our work and our life and it can appear that we're "doing it all" but the reality is that no one person can truly do it all.   Sarah shares so much wisdom in our conversat...

Canva is one of my favorite tech tools.   I'm excited for you to meet Janice Wintermyer, a Canva Learning Consultant, who is here to share how Canva can be used in the music classroom.  You'll hear about features within Canva and gain some general lesson ideas to use with students.  Be sure to follow Janice on Instagram and/or Twitter at @MsWintermyer to learn more. About Janice: Janice Wintermyer...

Franklin Willis is an incredible educator, encourager, and leader in music education.  We met up at the FABSS Conference, hosted by F-Flat Books, to discuss an array of topics: joy in the classroom, student-teacher interaction, self-reflection, music creation, and more.  Franklin is full of wisdom, compassion, and joy. I know you'll enjoy our conversation. Links: Instagram: @fwillismusic Website P...

This episode doesn't take itself too seriously.  No music ed content, but definitely a fun chat with my friend Becky Barrett about our love for all things Peloton.  Our favorite rides.  Our favorite instructors.  What we love about it all. Becky shared about podcasting with Soundtrap in the Classroom in episode 223.  She's a tech guru so check that out! Follow Becky on Twitter: @BeckyEdu Follow Je...

FREEBIE!!  Want a free 90 day trial of Soundtrap?  Simply head to the Soundtrap website and use the code:  AFTERNOONTI Soundtrap provides many options for student voice and choice.  Becky Barrett is sharing about her experience using Soundtrap in the classroom with students.  She worked alongside another colleague, 6th grade teacher Kim Campbell, to guide students from creating their first 60 seco...

Bob Habersat is a creative music educator who fuses technology and musical learning into his high school classes.  He is the co-founder of Shed the Music, an online platform that offers several music-ed tech courses that can be used with students.  He integrates Soundtrap, instruments, vocals, and music theory.  You'll want to check out his website for brilliantly created content!  And next summer...