Blog | onandoffthepodium

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Aug 29, 2020
4 min

Tips for Teaching Band in a COVID World that Nobody Told You About

The global pandemic has changed nearly everything about how we live our daily lives. It is overwhelming how much we need to consider to...

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Make the Beginning of Rehearsal Engaging and Productive

Wendy Higdon

Jul 26, 2018
1 min

Make the Beginning of Rehearsal Engaging and Productive

Many thanks to SmartMusic for publishing this article! You can find it here. #warmup #fundamentals #breathing #engagment #productive...

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The Benefits of Stocking Reeds in the Band Room

Wendy Higdon

Jul 8, 2018
1 min

The Benefits of Stocking Reeds in the Band Room

Thanks to D'Addario for asking me to write this article for their Education Collective! Read it here. #reeds #bookstore #supplies...

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Building Fundamentally Strong Musicians in Beginning Band

Wendy Higdon

Jul 8, 2018
1 min

Building Fundamentally Strong Musicians in Beginning Band

Many thanks to D'Addario Education Collective for publishing this article! Check it out here. #fundamentals #beginningband #DAddario...

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When Embarking on Recruitment, Don’t Forget these Important People

Wendy Higdon

Apr 13, 2018
1 min

When Embarking on Recruitment, Don’t Forget these Important People

Many thanks to D'Addario for publishing my article. Click here to read it. #recruitment #principal #counselor #communication

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Boost Your Recruitment with these Communication Strategies

Wendy Higdon

Apr 13, 2018
1 min

Boost Your Recruitment with these Communication Strategies

Many thanks to the D'Addario Education Collective for publishing my article. You can read it here. #recruitment #communication...

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It's More Than Music Education. . . It's Life Education

Wendy Higdon

Jan 8, 2018
1 min

It's More Than Music Education. . . It's Life Education

Many thanks to D'Addario for publishing my article about the many life skills that students learn in our music classrooms. Click here to...

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Get Your Music Program What it Needs by Embracing Data

Wendy Higdon

Dec 10, 2017
1 min

Get Your Music Program What it Needs by Embracing Data

Many thanks to SmartMusic for publishing this article! You can read it here! #data #staffing #instruments #purchasing #repair #replacement

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Clever Music Teacher Hacks That Will Make Your Year Amazing

Wendy Higdon

Aug 10, 2017
7 min

Clever Music Teacher Hacks That Will Make Your Year Amazing

One of the universal truths about teaching, regardless of the grade level, content area or type of school, is that there are never, EVER...

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The Most Complete Recruitment Checklist Ever-- for Type A Directors (and Everyone Else)

Wendy Higdon

Apr 4, 2017
3 min

The Most Complete Recruitment Checklist Ever-- for Type A Directors (and Everyone Else)

Recruitment of beginning musicians is such an important process, but it can be overwhelming when you don't know where to begin. Staying...

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Make Your Students' First Exposure to Instruments Magical Through Instrument Fittings

Wendy Higdon

Feb 12, 2017
3 min

Make Your Students' First Exposure to Instruments Magical Through Instrument Fittings

In the book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, young Harry, upon learning he is a wizard, is taken to Ollivander's Shop to purchase...

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Social and Emotional Learning in the Performing Arts Classroom

Wendy Higdon

Jan 28, 2017
1 min

Social and Emotional Learning in the Performing Arts Classroom

Many thanks to NAfME for publishing my latest article. You can find it here. #SocialEmotionalLearningSEL

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Successful Recruitment is a Process, Not an Event

Wendy Higdon

Jan 21, 2017
1 min

Successful Recruitment is a Process, Not an Event

Many thanks to SmartMusic for publishing my latest article. You can find it here! #recruitment #beginners #process

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Three Powerful Tips that will Take Your Band's Performance to the Next Level

Wendy Higdon

Dec 18, 2016
1 min

Three Powerful Tips that will Take Your Band's Performance to the Next Level

Many thanks to NAfME for publishing this article. You can find it here! #band #rehearsal #techniques #tips

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Wendy Higdon

Dec 5, 2016
1 min

Mail Merge Made Simple

Looking for a quick way to personalize letters, emails, forms and labels for your band? I love Mail Merge! It's so quick and easy to use....

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Setting Your New Beginners Up For Success

Wendy Higdon

Jul 31, 2016
4 min

Setting Your New Beginners Up For Success

In a week, I will be starting a new crop of beginning band students-- my 26th opportunity to share this most exciting and crucial time...

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Developing an Instrument and Equipment Replacement Plan

Wendy Higdon

Jul 15, 2016
3 min

Developing an Instrument and Equipment Replacement Plan

I'm a firm believer that school districts should provide necessary equipment for their school music programs and take care of repairing...

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This Spring Your Beginner Program Can Blossom With Five Recruitment Tips!

Wendy Higdon

Mar 13, 2016
3 min

This Spring Your Beginner Program Can Blossom With Five Recruitment Tips!

It's spring, and while most people are anticipating warmer weather, if you're a band or orchestra director, your thoughts might be more...

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Reach for the Brass Ring: Improve Your Band by Leaps and Bounds

Wendy Higdon

Nov 8, 2015
3 min

Reach for the Brass Ring: Improve Your Band by Leaps and Bounds

In the early 1900s, carousel riders were challenged to reach up toward a wooden arm that dispensed rings as the platform rotated. Most...

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Do a Band Faculty Book Study!
On Teaching Band: Notes from Eddie Green

Wendy Higdon

Aug 30, 2015
4 min

Do a Band Faculty Book Study! On Teaching Band: Notes from Eddie Green

If you are fortunate enough to work in a school district where there are other band directors (or even if you don't), I encourage you...

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