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Music Teacher Resources for You

What topics are you interested in?

Something new? Something familiar?

We have articles, podcasts, and videos.

Topics for all music teachers.

There's a lot to explore.

Be sure to come back often.

Written by Dr. Merlin Thompson

"More than Music Lessons" is the kind of book I wish I could have referenced when I first started teaching. Thompson's sensitive demeanour and strong research holds valuable insights for the reader. Tema Blackstone, The Julliard School.

Amazon.ca
Bloomsbury Canada
music teachers, music instruments

Our Top Recommendations for You

Philosophy of Music Teaching - Are you looking to create excellence in your music teaching? Do you find that messiness gets in the way? Join this podcast for a timely exploration of Structured Excellence and Interruptive Messiness: two guiding principles that provide anchors and fuel for today's music teachers. Audio Link. 

Technique On A Universal Scale - There's something really remarkable about how three aspects contribute to vocal and instrumental music performance: Your Core, Your Energy, and Your Breathing. This podcast is packed with practical insight. Audio Link. 

The Versatile Music Teacher - How can today's music teachers guide our students' musical journeys? Find out how Versatile Music Teachers use strategies of Lead, Follow, Advocate, Challenge, Resources, Get out of the way, Grip on fear, and Reflection. A remarkable exploration. Audio Link.

More Recommendations for You 

Sounds of Encouragement Podcast - A brilliant conversation between Host Melissa Slocum and Merlin Thompson as they explore all things related to encouragement. Youtube Link. Audio link.

 Setting Up September - September is an important month for music teachers. Click HERE to check out our FREE September resources for all vocal and instrumental music teachers. You'll be glad you did!

Ear Before Eye

Ear Before Eye is the number one most recommended methodology for beginning music students based on the model of language learning. So how does it work? Join this informative workshop presented from Merlin Thompson and get familiar with this must-have music teaching strategy. You'll be glad you did. 

Let's Look at Practicing 

Explore practicing from various viewpoints including psychology, neuroscience, and education research. 

Insight into Curriculum

The following resources present various new ways to consider curriculum explorations appropriate for 21st century music teachers.  

Collaboration with Parents

Collaborating with parents in order to develop successful student musical journeys is a multilayered undertaking. These resources provide insight into this important area.
  • Working with Parents: Past, Present, & Future (video)
  • Working with Parents: Part 1 (text)
  • Working with Parents: Part 2 (text)
  • Working with Parents: Part 3 (text)
  • Music Teacher Introductory Letter (text)
  • Parent Check Ins (text)

Resources for Inspiration

Check out the following resources for music teachers that get to the heart of the matter. We facilitate personally and socially meaningful explorations. 

Two-Way Communication

Music teachers' communication and interactions with their students matter a great deal. These resources examine and promote two-way street communication. 

Music Teaching Philosophy

21st century resources that look at the philosophy of music teaching. 

Times Have Changed

These article resources provide background for the development of Teach Music 21C. Each music teacher article is only a few pages.

#1: Two Questions 

#2: Practicing & Learning

#3: Music In Our Lives 

#4: Social Movements 

#5: Curriculum Models

#6: Reflective Partnership Teaching        

Do You HavQuestions
Reach out anytime and start a conversation. It would be great to connect and explore what would best support your teaching. 

Get in touch with Dr. Thompson

Teach Music 21C: Changing the music teaching world - one teacher, one student, one lesson at a time.