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19 Ways to Connect (and Sing!) with Your Choir Virtually

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19 Ways to Connect (and Sing!) with Your Choir Virtually

These are strange times we’re living in.

Who would have thought that we’d find ourselves worshipping through a screen — together, but apart, that congregations would scatter, events would be canceled, and choirs would not be able to sing?

And yet, for the safety of our friends and neighbors and community members, here we are. Each in our own homes, flattening the COVID-19 curve, but missing the connection, the fellowship, the joy that comes with making music together.

I’ve been thinking about creative ways you can connect (and sing!) with your choir virtually and today, I’m sharing a round-up of 19 ideas (for adult choirs and children’s choirs) that you can start using right away.

The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity: What I Learned from Keith Sawyer's "Zig Zag"

The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity: What I Learned from Keith Sawyer's "Zig Zag"

Last summer, I discovered a book one day that piqued my curiosity while browsing in the OverDrive app (side note: do you know about this? It’s a way to check out eBooks and audiobooks from your local library.)

The book was Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith Sawyer.

I’m always interested in learning more about the creative process and gleaning insight into our creative processes as musicians, thinkers, educators, and creators, and when I found out that Keith Sawyer was not only a scientific expert on creativity but also a jazz pianist, I couldn’t wait to start reading.

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How to Teach a Virtual Studio Class

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How to Teach a Virtual Studio Class

A few years ago, I started teaching monthly group classes in my studio.

The idea was to include more opportunities for informal performance, observation, musical discussion, and developing musicianship skills in a supportive group environment. All students are invited and encouraged to play something each time, even just part of a piece.

This gives us an opportunity to:

  • show works in progress

  • talk about practicing, learning processes, challenges, and rewards

  • give feedback (positive + constructive)

I also plan a few musical games and activities related to listening, movement, creative musicianship, and composition — things we can’t really do in our one-on-one lessons.

This year, I planned to teach five studio classes specifically for 3rd-6th graders, two studio classes for 7th-12th graders, and monthly buddy lessons for my K-2nd grade students.

But what to do when the world shuts down and everything moves online?

Host a Zoom studio class, of course.

Last week, I taught two studio classes (3rd-6th grade and 7th-12th grade) and two buddy lessons (K-2nd grade). Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I set these up, how I structured our time together, and what activities I created to play virtually.

Seven Things to Read, Watch, or Listen to This Week

Seven Things to Read, Watch, or Listen to This Week

Two times a year, I pull together a handful of articles, books, videos, and podcast episodes that are inspiring me lately so I can share them with you.

Because when life gets turned upside-down and you find yourself trying to make sense of it all, sometimes a deep breath and a fresh dose of inspiration goes a long way.

I don’t know about you, but I love hearing about what others are reading or listening to or watching, even more during these uncertain times.

This must be the strangest Holy Week we’ve ever experienced. Sanctuaries are empty. Services are slimmed down for streaming or recording. Choir members are singing from their living rooms.

We are learning so much from one another right now and it’s helping me feel grounded and connected during this unsettling time.

If you’re here today, I hope you find something in this post that inspires and motivates you to keep doing good work.

Editorial: Learning How to Adapt

Editorial: Learning How to Adapt

What a month it's been.

My heart is with all those who are isolated and alone during this time. All those who are feeling the effects of the economic downturn, who have lost their jobs, their security, their peace. For those who have lost their health and those who have lost a loved one.

Who would have thought a few weeks ago that we'd be where we are today?

Social distancing. Staying home. Teaching online. A new normal.

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22 Creative Ideas for Teaching Music Online (for All Ages)

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22 Creative Ideas for Teaching Music Online (for All Ages)

Like many of you, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to teach music creatively online these past few weeks.

  • What tools work best to facilitate connection, dialogue, and musical experience?

  • What strategies lend themselves best to online teaching?

  • What assignments will foster music-learning during this time?

As many of us are navigating this new territory of learning how to teach online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought I’d put together a master list of ideas for teaching in a variety of settings: church music, community teaching, and K-12 music.

I’m also including a list of tech tools that I’m using personally, have used in the past, or have heard recommended from other music teachers in the field.

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How to Use Color to Teach Music Literacy

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How to Use Color to Teach Music Literacy

If you walk into an elementary classroom, you might notice that everything is color-coded: signs and charts on the wall to labels on bins to pieces of tape marking certain spots on the floor.

This is because colors are easy for most young children to recognize and differentiate between.

But in music, our baseline is black and white, the colors of standard notation. When first introducing music-reading, it can be challenging for young students to recognize patterns and organize the content visually when everything is black and white.

For this reason, color can be a helpful tool when teaching music literacy and developing music-reading skills. “When we use color in a systematic way it can help students retain information better than just using black and white.” (source)

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How to Transition to Teaching Lessons Online (Due to COVID-19)

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How to Transition to Teaching Lessons Online (Due to COVID-19)

We’re living in unprecedented times.

With the recent worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, more and more schools and studios are choosing to close and transition to remote learning.

Maybe you’re like me in thinking that some subjects lend themselves well to being taught online: history, language, math. But music? How do you teaching piano to a 1st grader online? How do you teach choir or band? How do you teach group lessons?

This week, numerous music educators have put together resources, kits, and teaching guides to help others transition to online learning, learn about tools that are available, and get ideas. There are Facebook groups and webinars, blog posts and Google Docs summarizing all the music-related tech tools that are offering special discounts right now.

Here in Rochester, NY, schools are closed and moving online until further notice.

As such, I’m transitioning my studio to online learning. Today, I want to share what that looks like, including:

  • The notes I’m sending home to parents

  • Three models for online education I’m offering to all my students (K-10th grade)

  • Steps I’m taking to plan and prepare for this change

  • Resources and printables I’m pulling together for the next few weeks

  • Tools I’m using on the tech side of things

  • My best recommendations for studio teachers in this situation

Summer Conferences for Church Musicians (2020 Edition)

Summer Conferences for Church Musicians (2020 Edition)

Summer is the perfect time to learn and develop your musicianship skills and catch up on some professional development, don’t you think?

Summer conferences help us stay connected with others in the field; develop new skills (playing, singing, directing, and teaching); be inspired; get fresh ideas for creating meaningful and engaging worship services; and learn about all the latest music releases: choral, handbell, children's choir resources, curriculum, instrumental collections, etc.

Today, I’m sharing my annual round-up of summer conferences and events that are specifically geared toward church musicians, directors, accompanists, choir members, students, worship leaders, pastors, and liturgists (and pretty much everyone in between), including the one I’ll be attending in June.

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Work-Life Balance—Is There Such a Thing?

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Work-Life Balance—Is There Such a Thing?

We’ve heard it all before: the lore of work-life balance. Of doing it all, and doing it all well. And so we set out in search of the magical formula that will keep us in perfect balance, the solution to all our problems. 

But secretly, we kind of wonder: is it real? Can it be achieved?

There’s been some debate recently as to whether or not this idea of balance between work and life is actually attainable. The thing is, the word balance makes it feel precarious: the feeling we have when learning to ride a bicycle, that we might lose our balance and fall over at any moment.

Not a great visual for life, just saying.

Follow along with my creative work and daily adventures: @ashleydanyew

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion— But in this season of goal-setting and checklists, I think it’s important to acknowledge that not everything can be measured. Not everything follows a set of orderly steps (as much as I may try!). Tha
What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your music career? Here’s what I hear most often: “I don’t know where to start” “I don’t know where to put my focus” “Not sure which path to ta
Sending you love and warm wishes this season! Here’s to another year of teaching, writing, creating beautiful music, and building community wherever we are. 💛🎵🥂 Love, Ashley, Steve, and Rory