Check out our latest March Rhythm Play-Along Video starring none other than the fabulous Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, a.k.a. Lady Gaga, who's turning 38 this week on March 28! There is also a bonus of Ariana Grande as this rhythm stick play-along is to the song, “Rain on Me”! Ready to groove to some tunes? Show some love by treating me to a virtual coffee boost at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/

Note: This play-along is meant for upper elementary. It is also geared toward those who can utilize Lady Gaga’s music in their classrooms. If you cannot use her music, please feel free to skip this play-along video.

Tune in every Tuesday for my quick tech tips on making the most of MusicFirst Elementary (MFE)! This week features how MFE does not require students to have email addresses to use the lessons and the creative tools. Watch below to see more!

The music education community has experienced a great loss with MusicPlay’s announcement of the sudden passing of their founder and legendary music educator, Denise Gagne. If you knew her or if you saw her in sessions, she was energetic and inspirational. She was a role model to music educators from around the world. She was extremely generous and would share her ideas, resources, content, knowledge, and so much more, so that music educators would feel successful in their classrooms.  

Want the Respect play-along video from the TMEA 2025 Conference? Here it is with the free manipulatives from https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/extras

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at TMEA this year. I presented four sessions: three technology-focused and one focused on Preschool and kindergarten activities. I attended sessions that varied from podcasting to movement to curriculum. I also showcased MusicFirst Elementary at the MusicFirst booth. The attendees at the sessions were amazing and I loved meeting music educators from Texas!

The TMEA/TI:ME Conference kicked off yesterday and there were many great sessions. I was thrilled to present three sessions. Here are the titles, descriptions, and links to the Wakelet for my sessions.

It is the height of conference season where music educators gather to learn from each other and to rejuvenate themselves. I have been very fortunate to have been able to represent my school, Far Hills Country Day School, by presenting at the Georgia Music Educators Conference (GMEA) showcasing MusicFirst Elementary, New Jersey Association for Independent Schools (NJAIS) “What the Tech?” three-minute session demonstrating Canva’s AI Magic Tools, and most recently, California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) highlighting creative tools for elementary general music classes.

This week, I will be heading to San Antonio, Texas, for the annual Technology in Music Education (TI-ME) National Music Technology Conference/Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) State Conference and will be presenting four sessions.

Recently, a member of the Midnight Music Community brought up an interesting topic: "10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Teaching." Several members, myself included, provided their insights. Following that, Midnight Music posed a similar question on their Facebook Group, asking for advice that we would give to new teachers. That question and this topic change for me annually as what I felt I needed to know when I first started teaching is not what I would advise 25+ years later. Here are 10 items I wish I knew and would give advice to a new teacher today.

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I love being able to play music at my church. Since my flute was overhauled this past fall, it is much nicer to play the lower notes of the instrument and joyful to play this song again. I hope that you enjoy this performance.

In the States, many of us return around 7-10 days before the federal holiday that honors the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There are numerous songs and activities that can be utilized in the elementary classroom on the first day we return. These are wonderful ways to create cross-curricular connections with what the students are learning in their classrooms, as well as honoring Dr. King’s life and work. This post includes how a music curriculum like MusicFirst Elementary (MFE) can assist with this and how to add additional resources and activities to the lessons.

For those of you who are returning to school in the next few days, you may be experiencing the "Sunday Scaries." It's that sudden feeling of fear that arises when we have to start planning activities for the upcoming week. Luckily, I've got you covered.

Whether you're a long-time follower or a new reader, I've been sharing "10 Elementary Music Activities for a First Day Back to School" to help you start the year off right. These activities can be implemented now, at the beginning of a new term, or even at the start of a new school year.

#10 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL RHYTHM PLAY-ALONG

#9 USING THE FREE SITE 4FOUR.IO FOR MUSIC ACTIVITIES

#8 BLOB OPERA TO CREATE, WARMUP, AND REFLECT

#7: CREATE SIMPLE PLAY-ALONG BOOMWHACKER MELODIES WITH DR. MUSIK

#6 PK AND K STEADY BEAT AULD LANG SYNE BODY PERCUSSION PLAY-ALONG

#5 REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR RESOURCES

#4 DECODE WORDART INTO RHYTHMS

#3 A WEB-BASED DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION AND MOVIE SCORING TOOL FOR ELEMENTARY MUSIC CLASS!

#2 A MUSIC GAME AND USING HTTPS://APP.MAGICSCHOOL.AI/ TO CREATE FIRST-DAY BACK ACTIVITIES
#1 AULD LANG SYNE BOOMWHACKER PLAY-ALONG

Let’s deep dive into #1.

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