Making music online – resources for your digital classroom

As we enter a new month of distance learning, our team at BRT is in awe of the strides teachers are making in this new digital format. The transition to online learning wasn’t in anyone’s lesson plan, but, as always, educators have risen to the occasion and proven that their passion for sharing music with their students isn’t limited to the walls of a classroom.

Our team of veteran music educators has been collecting online resources and ideas that may be helpful as you plan lessons in the weeks and months to come:

• Music Theory – offers both lessons and exercises you can customize and assign to your students. The site offers an app for iPad and iPhone as well, but all of the lessons and exercises on the site are free and easy to use.
• Smart Music – features an extensive library of method books, ensemble titles and solos, as well as practice tools that teachers can use to assign, review and communicate with. Schools can create free subscriptions through June 2020.
• Theta Music Trainer – access ear training and music theory games and online courses through this program. Teachers and schools can receive free access for the duration of the school closure.

Additionally, several of our veteran educators have created at home lesson ideas for choirs, bands and orchestras that are fun, engaging and simple for you to implement online. If you’re still adjusting to teaching online, we also have some tips for utilizing online platforms that might be helpful.

In this challenging season, students will gain so much from arts education – a sense of normalcy, an outlet for self-expression and the community of their like-minded peers. The work you’re doing couldn’t be more important during this time – we appreciate you!

As we find more resources, we’ll be sharing them on our website and on our Facebook page.