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Always have your wish list ready!

Posted on 7th May 2012 by Judy Pine
It’s the end of a busy week and your principal contacts you to say he/she has found some funds for your program, but needs your wish list by the end of the day--and it’s already 3:00 pm! While it’s exciting to hear this financial support has come to your program, what IS your wish list and HOW do you have it prioritized?

A History of the West Music Catalog

Posted on 12th September 2011 by Judy Pine
West Music Company is celebrating being 70 years strong this year! Here’s some background on how the West Music Catalog Department started……

Jump into the School Year with Freddie the Frog!

Posted on 7th September 2011 by Sharon Burch
Dreading that next kindergarten (or pre-school) music class? Simply placing a puppet on your hand (no voice, just shaking the head up and down or side-to-side) will transform your room. A puppet works magic in lower elementary classes! It doesn’t need to be Freddie, any puppet will do that you build a story around. Obviously, I use Freddie, so here is what I do at the beginning of every year. It works like a charm! I use this lesson plan EVERY year with the kindergarten music class. It works with Pre-School, too!

Download the digital edition of the new West Music catalog!

Posted on 17th August 2011 by Jordan Wagner
We've digitized the new 2011-2012 West Music catalog, and released it for free download! Now you can take a portable, digital version of the catalog wherever you go, or get a free copy anywhere that there's internet access. Every product is linked to a web page where you can place an order. Simply click on the product's Item number (i.e. 800965) to view an even more detailed description, along with options to add it to your shopping cart and place an order.

Remo Paddle Drums!

Posted on 22nd June 2011 by Jennifer Winegarden
West Music Hand Percussion Consultant Jennifer Winegarden walks us through Remo's Paddle Drums - just in time for summer! Be sure to pick up a set for the classroom, or family fun!

Some Kind of Spark documentary

Posted on 10th May 2011 by Jordan Wagner
Director Ben Niles (director of the fantastic film Note By Note) is producing a new feature length documentary entitled "Some Kind of Spark". The film follows inner city kids through the Music Advancement Program (MAP) at The Juilliard School in New York City.

World Music Drumming Summer Workshops

Posted on 8th May 2011 by Judy Pine
The World Music Drumming Curriculum was published by Will Schmid in 1997, following an 18-month pilot project. The curriculum was designed to accomplish several goals. The first goal was to bring the excitement and motivation of world music and drumming from African and the Caribbean to general music curriculums. The format of the program is designed to build important work and community skills, such as communication and listening; cooperative teamwork; and respect for others.

Obsession: Cupcakes, Chiquitas, and Recommendations

Posted on 8th October 2010 by Katey Krull
Katey Krull, West Music Music Therapist, muses on her recent obsession with cupcakes, glow in the dark chiquitas/egg shakers, and other ways to keep yourself and your participants engaged in music therapy.

A Few Must Have Music Instruments for Kids

Posted on 9th September 2010 by Katey, MT-BC
Do you ever have those times where you are just completely obsessed with things? You know, so much so that your friends give you a hard time about it every time they can. Not a DSM-IV type of obsession, just a healthy love and passion for something. Lately, mine has been cupcakes. I don’t know why, but my world just changes when I eat a cupcake with extra frosting (cream cheese if you are wondering). As a music therapist, we go through phases where we are obsessed with certain instruments or activities.

Start the School Year Winner -- Lorrie Davis

Posted on 31st August 2010 by Kyle Ware
How do you start the school year? This past August, we asked thousands of you what activities do you use to start the school year? Thank you for all of the terrific responses, but unfortunately, we had to choose just one response for the $50 West Music Gift Certificate. That winner ...is Lorrie Davis from Conroe ISD in Conroe, Texas! See her response below:

Music Advocacy Links

Posted on 1st July 2010 by Teresa Heitman
Music Advocacy: Music Matters! Let your voice be heard about the importance of music education for every child! Find out more from the links on this page.

Video: Save Our Music!

Posted on 11th June 2010 by Teresa Heitman
An awesome video by thewistube kids.

Music Education Makes for Smarter Students

Posted on 17th March 2010 by Jeff Taylor
March is designated as “Music in Our Schools Month” and in light of potential cuts and/or changes in school music programs across our state, I feel compelled to share some important information.

Learning About Composers: Johannes Sebastian Bach

Posted on 25th January 2010 by Valerie Johnson
A brief history of famed composer Johannes Sebastian Bach.

Stop Making Excuses, Get Off Your Couch, and See How Staying Active Actually Makes You a Better Musician

Posted on 22nd January 2010 by Shannon Price
A little good, old-fashioned sweat and heart-pumping action is good for your overall health, especially if you’re a musician. Anne Roos, 52, of South Lake Tahoe, California, is a Celtic harp player who has been performing at weddings and private functions for the past 25 years. A few years into her performing schedule, Roos hit a point where she felt she needed to start a regular, physical routine.

What Does Music Advocacy Mean?

Posted on 1st January 2010 by West Music Music Advocacy
Are you an advocate? Advocacy has to do with the way we make changes. We usually associate this with positive change for a specific purpose. “Music advocacy” is a term that has been in the forefront recently. What does that mean? How can we become music advocates?

Music Programs Help Kids Graduate

Posted on 1st January 2010 by Leif Rehnburg
Ellis Kell, Terry Hanson, and six other local musicians performed at the River Music Experience in Davenport to benefit Rock Island's Thurgood Marshall school, raising funds to bring musicians and artists to students who lack creative outlets. Thurgood Marshall has students who have had family, behavioral, or truancy issues.

Tips to Get Your Students to Practice

Posted on 1st January 2010 by LeaAnn Huegel
How do you get your students to practice? It's a question that comes up again and again. Here are some suggestions!

Sales & Services

Always have your wish list ready!

Posted on 7th May 2012 by Judy Pine
It’s the end of a busy week and your principal contacts you to say he/she has found some funds for your program, but needs your wish list by the end of the day--and it’s already 3:00 pm! While it’s exciting to hear this financial support has come to your program, what IS your wish list and HOW do you have it prioritized?

Download the digital edition of the new West Music catalog!

Posted on 17th August 2011 by Jordan Wagner
We've digitized the new 2011-2012 West Music catalog, and released it for free download! Now you can take a portable, digital version of the catalog wherever you go, or get a free copy anywhere that there's internet access. Every product is linked to a web page where you can place an order. Simply click on the product's Item number (i.e. 800965) to view an even more detailed description, along with options to add it to your shopping cart and place an order.

Apply Now for New BASICS Program

Posted on 18th April 2011 by Jordan Wagner
The Iowa Alliance for Arts Education invites Iowa Schools to apply for the BASICS PROGRAM project to improve the quality of their arts education programs.

National Teacher Registry Partners With West Music

Posted on 19th October 2010 by Ryan West
NTR has expanded its education products by partnering with West Music Company in response to requests from teachers to provide musical instruments and music products for their Classroom Wish Lists. More than 6,000 high-quality, music products from West Music Company have been added to the NTR website and are now available for teacher’s Wish Lists and for purchase by parents and others committed to helping teachers and schools bridge the budget gap.

Free Shipping on Bulk Recorder Purchase

Posted on 4th August 2010 by Teresa Heitman
We offer FREE SHIPPING when you purchase any combination of 100 or more YAMAHA, HARMONY, ANGEL, WEST MUSIC, and HOHNER brand recorders or recorder packages!

Announcing the New WestMusic.com Features

Posted on 25th July 2010 by Teresa Heitman
At West Music we're continually looking for ways to make your life easier and more productive. We approached the new website with you, our customer, in mind and we think you'll like the results: Enhanced Searching Capabilities, Easy Login, Now with Email Address, Upgraded Hi-Res Product Images, Easier 1-Page Checkout, Email Your Shopping Cart for Approval, Payment Options Now Include PayPal, and you can pick your purchase in-store!

School Lease/Purchase Plan

Posted on 1st July 2010 by Ryan West
BGE Financial Corporation is a leader in Lease/Purchase Plans for schools, universities and music booster programs. BGE has assisted music programs in meeting their musical instrument needs since 1988. With school budgets becoming tighter every year, leasing provides an avenue to assist your school accounts in acquiring the instruments they need while staying within their annual budget. The purpose of our leasing plan is to assist school music departments in acquiring the necessary instruments for their program at minimal capital investment.

Music Education Makes for Smarter Students

Posted on 17th March 2010 by Jeff Taylor
March is designated as “Music in Our Schools Month” and in light of potential cuts and/or changes in school music programs across our state, I feel compelled to share some important information.

Tips to Get Your Students to Practice

Posted on 1st January 2010 by LeaAnn Huegel
How do you get your students to practice? It's a question that comes up again and again. Here are some suggestions!

Events

Upcoming 2012 Conventions

Posted on 5th October 2011 by Jordan Wagner
Wherever you go...there West Music is. The following is a list of conventions and conferences where West Music will be exhibiting in 2012. Many times we provide Orff instruments or tubanos for use in the session rooms which means these instruments will be available to you at discounted prices and free shipping when picked up at the end of the show!

Catalog Scavenger Hunt and Review Winners

Posted on 9th September 2011 by Jordan Wagner
We've selected our Catalog Scavenger Hunt contest winner, along with our first monthly review winner! Remember that it's never too late to become a review winner, as we have the contest every month!

Write a review on our website and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate!

Posted on 8th August 2011 by Jordan Wagner
We'd like to hear your feedback on the materials and products that you've ordered from us! Write a review for any product on our website, and be entered to win a monthly drawing for a $100 gift certificate!

2011-2012 West Music Catalog Scavenger Hunt!

Posted on 6th August 2011 by Jordan Wagner
In celebration of the BRAND NEW 2011-2012 West Music Catalog, we've decided to offer you a fun and informative way to get to know the new catalog. In years past, we've held contests such as "Find the West Music Pen", in which customers would search for a pen hidden deep within the pages of the catalog. We had such an overwhelming response to that promotion that we've decided to take it a step further this year.

20th Annual Closed Door Sale

Posted on 5th July 2011 by Jordan Wagner
It's West Music’s Customer Appreciation Day! Our Closed Door Sale is reserved especially for our best customers, and you should receive your invitation in the mail shortly. We'll be closing our doors to the general public, so these amazing deals will be kept exclusively for you! We’ve saved our very best deals for our very best customers. No games or gimmicks—just great money $aving deals store wide!

Mariachi Month - Closing the Opportunity Gap

Posted on 4th April 2011 by Valerie Johnson
In current education debates the phrase "achievement gap" always comes up when experts discuss challenges in learning. After many years serving in various education roles, I believe the achievement gap is a misnomer; a better term would be "opportunity gap." Low-income students would likely overcome this gap if they were given the same opportunities as their peers: safe environments, full stomachs, early exposure to learning, and so on. Disadvantaged students with access to cultural activities, academic enrichment activities, and quality before- and after-school programs learn as quickly as other students. - from Arthur Griffin, ASCD Express

Cedar Falls Minimusic Classes Set for September!

Posted on 25th August 2010 by Lea Ann Heugel
Instructor Naomi Palmer and West Music Cedar Falls announce Minimusic set to start in September! I’m starting to see the signs of fall: school supplies in the stores, birds gathering together, fields are just starting to get the touch of color before they turn to the autumn rainbow and Minimusic pre-registrations are starting. Last year was our first time of offering Minimusic and it was a huge success. At graduation ceremony held here in the store, I was impressed what these young people had learned over the previous year.

Free Shipping on Bulk Recorder Purchase

Posted on 4th August 2010 by Teresa Heitman
We offer FREE SHIPPING when you purchase any combination of 100 or more YAMAHA, HARMONY, ANGEL, WEST MUSIC, and HOHNER brand recorders or recorder packages!

Workshops and Conventions

Posted on 1st July 2010 by Ryan West
Wherever you go...there West Music is. The following is a list of conventions and conferences where West Music will be exhibiting in 2010-2011. Many times we provide Orff instruments or tubanos for use in the session rooms which means these instruments will be available to you at discounted prices and free shipping when picked up at the end of the show! We'd love to hear from you about certain books, instruments or recorders you would like to see in our booth. (Please contact us no later than 3 weeks before any show to allow shipping time.) For information regarding orders to be picked up at the following list of conventions, please contact our convention coordinator via email at service@westmusic.com or call 800-397-9378. ext 306. See you there!