COVID-19 shutdown and what band directors can do for our band kids

All over the country we have seen schools closed for two weeks, a month and some for the entire year. Are you struggling to teach band in a distance learning environment? Or are you anxious because your school district has opened or will open soon? Here are some tips that we have found to help you teach online and some tips for helping your students come back to their normal band routine.

If your school is still out and you now need to teach band online.

Use free online tools for making videos for your beginners and your advanced band groups. Here are some of our top ideas:

· Post video lessons on how to disinfect or clean out instruments. We just found some great videos from AMRO MUSIC which has great videos for every band instrument with great step by step instruction. Click the link for a sample lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AyPIfb13hQ

· Post videos of professional musicians or music professors talking about music fundamentals for their instrument. This is great to reinforce embouchure, tone, tonguing etc.

· For beginners check out your method book resources online. Many commonly used method books have online background tracks for kids to play along with.

· Smartmusic assignments are good for your kids during this time for all levels, no matter if they are beginners or high school level. Practically every method book, solo, technique book and frequently used band pieces are available on smartmusic. Right now, students can try it for FREE!! www.smartmusic.com

· Zoom, playposit, screencastify will help your record yourself doing lessons for you to post on a school portal like Canvas, school website or even youtube on your band channel to help students record their lessons on their phones, ipads or devices. Ask students to send you a weekly playing assignment to allow you time to listen, grade and receive any late entries.

· Post instructions on how to receive lessons by sending emails and your band social media pages.

· Use fun practice card ideas like “BAND BINGO” or “BAND SCAVENGER HUNT” to make kids practice in new fun ways.

· Remember to also ask your school and/or district about the procedures to take for students who do not have internet access, out of town or are not submitting assignments.

If your band kids are back and how to help them come back to band and school.

Your kids are back! But things will not be the same that first day or couple of days. Here are some tips that you can do to help them come back to the “new normal” or how things will be conducted until the end of the year.

· Be Patient and understanding that some kids may be scared to come back to crowds of kids at school. For one, two or more weeks your kids have heard their parents, their friends, the media, etc. talk about social distancing and that anyone can catch this virus. Students are still scared and skeptical about coming back. You too maybe worried about the same thing. Tell them that you know what they have been through and you understand their concerns. Tell them that you and all the staff are here for them, and that if they need to talk about their concerns a counselor or administrator have answers to their questions.

· Always be on the same page as your administration and school district. (No matter what your personal views of returning to school may be). Your students need consistency and team reassurance.

· Reinforce rules/procedures SLOW. Welcome your students and remind them that we are back at school and now is a good time to just review some basic rules about the band hall and band class. However, take things one step at a time. Do not be forceful, rude or move too fast. Students just got back and some of them are not excited about returning. So, pick your battles, take it slow, but go over how to enter, exit, ask a question, instrument assembly etc.

· Smile, Laugh and show students you are happy to see them again. Some students have probably been really stressed or anxious at home and now at school. Show them that at least in your class, things are alright because they are back in band.

· Show a short video on a professional musician or band to bring your kids back to the “Band Vibe”.

**Above all we are all trying to adjust. Be patient and take it slow for you too. You have probably been stressed with your own kids at home and worried about finances. You have been through a lot and coming back to the “usual” routine is anything but “usual or normal”.

But above all, please know that everything will be alright in the end.

You may have kids that didn’t practice at all and that is OK or your band is behind from where you last were, it will be OK. Everyone is going through a tough time right now and we will rise above it. Be patient with yourself, your kids at home and kids in your band hall.

How has this effected your band program for the spring semester? What are some additional tips that you used to do distance learning OR tips to helping students come back to their normal band routine? Share or click the social media links below, and stay updated here at www.bandtoberfest.com for more blogs and articles.