Program Health

Ever since I can remember, I have been writing music. I premiered my first real composition, entitled “The Mysterious Island,” when I was 8 years old.

In the summer of 2018, I began my tenure as the Director of Bands at Shelby County High School (SCHS) in Columbiana, Alabama.

Yes, you read the title of this article correctly — please proceed with caution because this topic may offend most music teachers.

When I started at St. Michael’s Catholic Academyin Austin, Texas, about 10 years ago, I was faced with two challenges: low student program participation and school size.

We can all agree that the conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have been challenging in ways no one could have anticipated. These circumstances have brought about new processes, new thoughts, new connections and new obstacles.

Many students dream of becoming performers, but because it is so highly competitive, that world can be brutal and disheartening.

Mirian Conti is part of the faculty of the Evening Division of The Juilliard School in New York City.

Frederic Chiu is an Assistant Professor of Piano at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

As one of the closest partners in music education, a school service music store can provide invaluable help to teachers navigating Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding requests.

Andrea McAlister is an Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio, the Director of Digital Content for the Frances Clark Center and the Senior Editor of Piano Magazine.