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?

Summer Music Education workshops are almost here! If by chance you’re planning on attending an Orff Schulwerk or World Music Drumming workshop here’s an idea for you to help you get ready for this great experience. Contact the University and see what soprano or alto recorder method will be required and purchase the book and a recorder to get a head start on this portion of your class.

West Music Company is celebrating being 70 years strong this year! Here’s some background on how the West Music Catalog Department started……

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.

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.

Looking for a teacher training to recharge you over the summer and get you ready for next fall? We have many suggestions for you to try. For the past 30+ years West Music has been pleased to provide quality Orff instruments, drums, recorders and teacher materials for Orff Schulwerk, Kodaly and World Music Drumming courses around the United States. Here's an explanation about Orff Schulwerk.

The power of music and its influence on a musician’s life is the study of a new book from Hal Leonard Publishing. “What Music Means to Me” is full of beautiful photos of assorted musicians and students of music. Each photo is accompanied by a message of what music means to that musician. This incredibly inspirational book is the perfect gift for any music educator, allowing them the chance to show the passion of music to their students.

Orff-Schulwerk is an internationally accepted approach for teaching music and movement in an elementary music classroom. The famous German composer and educator, Carl Orff, along with his colleague, Gunild Keetman, developed this approach. “Schulwerk” is a German word meaning “work for the school.” Carl Orff evolved the basic texts for the Schulwerk as models for teachers worldwide. Now translated into many languages, Orff-Schulwerk is based on the traditional music and folklore of each country in which it is used. The Orff-Schulwerk approach is widely used by music educators in private and public schools throughout the United States and the world.

Solo and ensemble contest time is upon us. With that in mind, it might be wise to remind ourselves of a couple of things which might make the process work a little smoother. When examining the solo at the beginning of the preparation, start with some very basic items like...

Looking back at our early careers as music educators it is evident that Orff Schulwerk was a turning point in our work with children. Prior to our early experiences with this multi-faceted approach we struggled with ways to provide a classroom experience that was hands-on, creative, exciting and always developing. It was our early work with the ideas presented by Carl Orff and his colleague, Gunild Keetman that brought us the inspiration we were so desperately seeking. Orff Schulwerk (literally meaning, School Work in German) encourages the students to be the music makers. They are the vehicles through which classrooms become creative and inviting places to be. The melding of natural activities which include chanting, singing, movement, recorder and instrument playing provides a multitude of opportunities for learning and expression.

Be the marimba player you never know you were! West Music and Paul Corbiere is proud to present the West Music Marimba Ensemble, a totally hands-on rocking Zimbabwean-style marimba class. No experience or note reading is necessary. Sign up today and we'll get you started!

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: 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.