Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash
An award-winning band teacher shares how modern band classes can attract students who otherwise would not engage in traditional K-12 music offerings – connecting more students to the holistic benefits of music, and expanding the reach of the music program. We discuss innovative course offerings; creative ways to integrate them into a fixed school schedule; funding sources; and grant application tips. This incredibly practical discussion will provide concrete resources AND get your own creative ideas flowing for your particular situation!
Guest
Eric Songer has been an Instrumental Music Teacher since 1997, and currently teaches middle school band at a public school in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. He has also taught elective courses including guitar, world drumming, music technology, and music history. Eric also teaches after-school and summer classes including marching band, jazz band, honor band, movie band, garage band, country/bluegrass ensemble, Pop Music Experience, Mariachi band, hip hop academy, School of Rock, music technology, beginning Guitar, progressive music ensemble, and private lessons.
Eric has won numerous awards and grants, including Give A Note Innovator in Music Education Award; Schmitt Music Educator of the Year; Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation National Music Teacher of Excellence; and Voya Unsung Heroes.
Eric is a popular speaker and presenter at conferences and colleges across the country, including at the National Association of Music Educators (NAfME) National Conference, and the Association of Popular Music Education (APME) National Conference.
Notes
We discuss:
- What is Modern Band, what are its benefits, and how did Eric become interested in implementing these classes?
- Innovative programming that Eric has taught has included:
- Audio Production
- DJing
- School of Rock
- Podcasting
- Movie band
- Garage band
- Music technology
- Country bluegrass band
- Songwriting
- Mariachi band
- Pop Music Experience
- Beatmaking
- Beatboxing
- Rapping
- Guitar
- Improvisation
- Song analysis
- World drumming
- Ukulele
- Hip hop
- Music history
- Real-life experience that students gain through use of the skills learned in these classes (including DJing during school lunch and starting their own businesses)
- How Eric has seen these classes engage kids who would not otherwise fit the traditional school band/orchestra/choir model, and his favorite success stories
- Funding recommendations for teachers – whether K-12 or college level – who are looking for funds for innovative music programs
- Grant application tips
- Creative ways to integrate courses into a fixed school schedule
- Scott’s podcast, Pop Life, co-hosted with Scott Prescott
- Recommendations for college-level teachers of our future music educators
Connect/Other Resources
- Eric’s website: www.songerstudio.wordpress.com
- Email: eric@songerstudio.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eric-songer-b885654
- Facebook/Instagram: @CMSWMusic
- Twitter: ericsonger
- Eric’s YouTube channel
- Pop Life podcast (co-hosted with Scott Prescott)
- Eric recommends the following resources:
- Association for Popular Music Education (APME)
- Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock)
- Donors Choose (like Go Fund Me for teachers)
- CMA Foundation
- Give a Note Foundation
- Voya Unsung Heroes
- Grants Alert.com
- Eric mentions the School of Rock movie, with Jack Black
- 8/29/24 UPDATE: Eric’s new book is now available! Starting A Modern Band Program: Why teach modern band and ideas on how to bring popular music ensembles to your program is available in paperback and Kindle. Written for music educators and future music educators, it covers the basics of starting popular music ensembles in a school music program.
Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:
- Ep. 90: Glee, Ryan Murphy, and innovation in music education; with Beth Slusher (featuring Give a Note Foundation, and the conversation that first connected me with Eric’s work)
- Ep. 69: Tinder for musical instruments – matchmaking AND community building (another source for free instruments)
- Ep. 44: What will the music education of the future look like? With Dr. Clint Randles
- Ep. 126: A day in the life of a middle school band teacher – Why our front-line music workers do what they do, and what the pandemic has really meant for their vocation. With Veronica Tonus
- Ep. 171: Elevating the Gaming Experience: The unique artistry and composition challenges of interactive video game music; with award-winning composer Winifred Phillips
- Ep. 147: What is the current “State of the Arts?” with the Godfather of Music Advocacy, Bob Morrison
- Ep. 145: Helping students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music; with Henry Donahue
- Ep. 144: Better Together – A #MusicEducationNation invitation from Scott Sheehan, NAfME President
- Ep. 122: Transferring music skills to life, with Dr. Dylan Savage
- Ep. 83: Connecting the dots between SEL and music, with Scott Edgar, PhD
- Ep. 60: How does music training affect children’s Social-Emotional Learning, and how is SEL affected by a pandemic? With Dr. Assal Habibi
- Ep. 59: How does MUSIC learning impact OTHER learning? With Dr. Anita Collins
- View all episodes related to Education & Community
In-Episode Promo
This is a quick break to tell you about Sonix, the service that I use to transcribe these episodes. Sonix is an artificial intelligence transcription service that automatically converts audio and video files to text – and can translate to over 40 languages. I transcribe these episodes to make them more accessible. I tried multiple services, and chose to stick with Sonix because of their accuracy, affordability, and because their site is just so easy to use; that’s a big plus for me, to not need to spend a bunch of time figuring out one more platform! While I love podcasts, I do tend to be a very visual learner. I figure other people probably are, too; and having that written form of your work just makes it more versatile. Sonix transcripts make the most of your hard work and can increase traffic to your site. Sonix is spelled s-o-n-i-x. You can check them out with a free trial PLUS an extra 100 minutes of free transcription by using the link sonix.ai/invite/enhancelife100. There’s a link in the show notes. Again, it’s sonix.ai/invite/enhancelife100 for a free trial AND an extra 100 minutes of free transcription.
Coda
Eric shares a fun and memorable story of connecting with his childhood pop star hero, Debbie Gibson, and of her eventual work with his middle school students!
Closing Words
A huge thank you to Eric for this inspiring AND incredibly practical conversation. I absolutely love all the resources and recommendations Eric provided, and just hearing some of the strategies and tools that have worked for him. Heads-up: Eric will be releasing a book later this year on how to run a modern band. The book will present info on how to start and teach a modern band program and will include information on gear, repertoire, rehearsal techniques, scheduling, performance ideas, philosophy, and more. The title is still in the works. You can stay updated by following Eric’s socials and checking his website.
I do want to give a huge shoutout to ALL K-12 music teachers everywhere – you are our front-line music workers. If it weren’t for you, many children would never have any music training or the brain and holistic benefits that come with it. Thank you for enhancing lives with music.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
All Enhance Life with Music episodes are evergreen; so check out the back catalogue for more ways that music can make your life better.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.
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