The First Six Notes with Classroom Composers

Classroom Composers
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

The First Six Notes Podcast helps music educators build stronger programs, improve rehearsals, and make teaching more manageable. Hosted by Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank of Classroom Composers, each episode features practical, classroom-tested conversations about beginning band and orchestra, classroom management, curriculum, rehearsal strategies, recruitment, retention, program growth, and the everyday realities of teaching music. Whether you are a new music teacher or an experienced educator looking for fresh ideas, you will leave each episode with strategies you can use with your students right away. Because every great musical journey begins with the first six notes. Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers

  1. 2d ago

    36. Stop Overprogramming

    Send us Fan Mail More music does not always mean a better concert. When music educators program too much or choose repertoire that requires every rehearsal just to survive the notes, there is less time to actually teach musicianship. In Episode 36, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss why music educators should stop overprogramming concerts and focus instead on choosing an appropriate amount of music at the right difficulty level. They share how leaving room in the rehearsal process allows students to move beyond notes and rhythms and spend more time developing tone, balance, dynamics, articulation, and musical expression. In This Episode Why music educators tend to overprogramChoosing quality over quantity when selecting repertoireProgramming music at an appropriate difficulty levelLeaving enough rehearsal time to actually teach the musicMoving beyond simply learning notes and rhythmsGiving students time to develop musicalityRecognizing when you have programmed too muchAdjusting your concert expectations to fit your ensembleCreating performances where students can feel successfulChapters 02:30 How much music do you really need? 05:30 Choosing music your ensemble can be successful with 08:30 Difficulty level versus amount of repertoire 11:30 Getting beyond notes and rhythms 14:30 Making time to teach musicality 17:30 What happens when you program too much 20:30 Adjusting expectations for your ensemble 23:30 Quality over quantity 26:30 Final thoughts on concert programming Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    36. Stop Overprogramming

  2. Sep 28

    35. The No-Prep School Year

    Send us Fan Mail What if you could spend less time planning every individual lesson and more time actually teaching? In Episode 35, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how music educators can create a more predictable, low-prep school year by planning the big picture first, building repeatable routines, organizing resources ahead of time, and using systems that keep instruction moving without constantly reinventing the next class period. In This Episode Planning the school year before planning individual lessonsCreating a clear scope and sequenceBuilding repeatable daily and weekly routinesUsing consistent warm-ups and skill-building activitiesOrganizing curriculum and resources ahead of timeLetting long-term goals guide daily instructionReducing unnecessary day-to-day lesson planningCreating systems that make teaching more manageableAdjusting the plan when students need more or less timeChapters 00:00 What does a no-prep school year look like? 02:00 Planning the big picture first 04:30 Creating a scope and sequence 07:00 Building repeatable classroom routines 09:30 Organizing your teaching resources 12:00 Using consistent warm-ups and skill work 15:00 Planning around long-term goals 18:00 Reducing day-to-day prep 21:00 Adjusting when students move at a different pace 24:00 Building a system you can reuse every year Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    35. The No-Prep School Year

  3. Sep 21

    34. School Money for Music Educators

    Send us Fan Mail Running a successful music program takes more than good teaching. Music educators also have to understand where school money comes from, what funds are available, and how to advocate for the resources their students need. In Episode 34, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss school funding, budgeting, fundraising, purchasing, and practical ways music educators can make the most of the money available to their programs. In This Episode Understanding the different sources of money available to a music programWorking with school and district budgetsAdvocating for the equipment and resources your students needPrioritizing purchases when money is limitedUsing fundraising to supplement school fundingNavigating purchasing procedures and purchase ordersFinding additional funding opportunitiesMaking long-term financial decisions for your music programChapters 02:00 Understanding your school budget 05:00 Where music program funding comes from 08:00 Advocating for what your program needs 11:00 Deciding what to purchase first 14:00 Fundraising and additional sources of money 17:00 Purchasing procedures and purchase orders 20:00 Making limited funds go further 23:00 Planning for future program needs Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    34. School Money for Music Educators

  4. Sep 14

    33. Finding Success in Unusual Circumstances

    Send us Fan Mail Not every music educator gets the ideal schedule, class size, instrumentation, or teaching setup. Sometimes success means adjusting your expectations and finding a system that works for the students and circumstances you actually have. In Episode 33, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss their experiences teaching in unusual situations and how they have adapted instruction, pacing, routines, and priorities when the traditional model does not fit. In This Episode Adapting when your teaching situation is not idealWorking with unusual schedules and limited instructional timeAdjusting pacing based on how often students meetTeaching students with different experience levelsMaking the most of the students and instrumentation you havePrioritizing what matters most when time is limitedBuilding routines that maximize instructional timeAvoiding comparisons to programs with completely different circumstancesFinding success by adapting instead of forcing the ideal modelChapters 00:00 Not every teaching situation is ideal 02:00 Adapting to unusual circumstances 05:00 Working with challenging schedules 08:00 Making limited instructional time count 11:00 Different experience levels in the same class 14:00 Adjusting expectations and pacing 17:00 Prioritizing the most important skills 20:00 Building routines that save time 23:00 Working with the program you actually have 26:00 Defining success in your circumstances Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    33. Finding Success in Unusual Circumstances

  5. Sep 7

    32. Classroom Management for Music Educators

    Send us Fan Mail Good classroom management is not about having the perfect consequence system. It starts with creating clear expectations, predictable routines, and an environment where students know exactly what is expected of them. In this episode, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss practical classroom management strategies for music educators, including establishing routines, responding consistently to behavior, handling problems privately, and avoiding power struggles with students. In This Episode Creating clear expectations and routinesEstablishing procedures for the entire class periodBeing consistent with rules and consequencesCorrecting behavior calmly and privatelyAvoiding arguments and power struggles with studentsCreating a safe and predictable rehearsal environmentRecognizing that the behaviors you allow can quickly become the normChapters 00:00 What good classroom management looks like 02:00 Setting clear expectations 04:30 Building predictable classroom routines 07:30 Procedures throughout the class period 10:30 Consistency with rules and consequences 13:30 Correcting behavior without stopping rehearsal 16:00 Handling problems privately 18:30 Avoiding arguments and power struggles 21:00 Creating a safe and predictable environment 24:00 Final classroom management takeaways Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    32. Classroom Management for Music Educators

  6. Aug 31

    31. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 5

    Send us Fan Mail Once students can assemble their instruments and produce a full instrument sound, it is finally time to start learning notes and making music. In Part 5, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they introduce the first notes, connect fingerings with music notation, build note changes, incorporate percussion, and decide when students are ready to move into method book exercises and simple songs. In This Episode Teaching the first notes on each instrumentConnecting note names, fingerings, and notationDeciding how quickly to add new notesPracticing clean transitions between notesIncorporating articulation from the beginningKeeping percussion involved with the windsMoving from isolated notes into short exercises and songsKnowing when students are ready to move forwardChapters 00:00 Recapping the first 30 days 01:00 Moving from first sounds to first notes 03:00 Introducing the first fingerings 05:30 Connecting fingerings to written notation 08:00 Adding additional notes 10:30 Practicing note changes 13:00 Incorporating rhythm and articulation 15:30 Keeping percussion involved 18:00 Moving into exercises and simple music 21:00 How quickly should beginners progress? 23:30 Wrapping up the first 30 days Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    31. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 5

  7. Aug 24

    30. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 4

    Send us Fan Mail After students produce their first mouthpiece sounds, the next step is assembling instruments correctly, establishing faster setup routines, and creating the first full-instrument sounds. In Part 4, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they keep percussionists engaged, teach safe instrument assembly, correct posture and hand position, and address common problems before they become habits. In This Episode Keeping percussionists engaged from the beginningBuilding stick control and rhythm skillsTeaching safe instrument assemblyUsing timers to improve setup routinesChecking instruments section by sectionTeaching posture, hand position, and instrument placementProducing the first full-instrument soundsPreparing students to learn their first notesChapters 00:00 Recapping the first 30 days 01:00 Keeping percussionists engaged 02:00 Starting the percussion section together 04:00 Stick control and rhythm exercises 06:30 Balancing percussion and wind instruction 08:00 Moving to full-instrument assembly 09:30 Demonstrating instrument assembly 10:00 Building a faster setup routine 10:30 Checking instruments section by section 12:00 Teaching safe instrument handling 13:00 Helping individuals without stopping the class 15:00 Hand position and holding instruments 17:00 Posture and breathing 19:00 Instrument-specific playing positions 21:00 Producing full-instrument sounds 23:00 Correcting common tone problems 24:00 Moving into the first notes Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    30. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 4

  8. Aug 17

    29. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 3

    Send us Fan Mail Once students receive their instruments, it can be tempting to start playing immediately. However, taking time to teach instrument care, assembly, posture, breathing, and first sounds can prevent problems later. In Part 3, Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank discuss how they distribute instruments, establish safe setup routines, teach mouthpiece and headjoint assembly, and help students produce their first sounds. In This Episode Checking out and labeling instrumentsTeaching safe case and assembly proceduresEstablishing posture and breathing routinesPreparing mouthpieces, reeds, and headjointsAssessing students’ first soundsUsing mouthpiece work to troubleshoot problemsIntroducing articulation and pitch before reading musicChapters 00:40 Checking out and renting instruments 02:00 Teaching instrument responsibility 02:30 Distributing and labeling instruments 06:00 Posture and breathing exercises 08:00 Opening instrument cases correctly 10:30 Identifying instrument parts 12:00 Building efficient setup routines 13:30 Attaching reeds correctly 16:00 Preparing mouthpieces and headjoints 17:30 Producing the first sounds 19:00 Assessing students individually 21:00 Starting class with mouthpiece work 22:00 Troubleshooting sound-production problems 23:00 Introducing articulation and pitch Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with another music educator.

    29. The First 30 Days of Beginning Band, Part 3
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The First Six Notes Podcast helps music educators build stronger programs, improve rehearsals, and make teaching more manageable. Hosted by Kevin Hoff and Jessica Frank of Classroom Composers, each episode features practical, classroom-tested conversations about beginning band and orchestra, classroom management, curriculum, rehearsal strategies, recruitment, retention, program growth, and the everyday realities of teaching music. Whether you are a new music teacher or an experienced educator looking for fresh ideas, you will leave each episode with strategies you can use with your students right away. Because every great musical journey begins with the first six notes. Connect with Classroom Composers Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Composers Website https://classroomcomposers.com Join our email community https://classroomcomposers.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Classroom-Composers/61590769772268/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/classroomcomposers/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@classroomcomposers

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