Lifelong Learning

Tri-M band students rehearsing at Dillon Middle School detail image

Why Your School Should Start a Tri-M® Music Honor Society Chapter

Music educators have a unique opportunity to shape not only musicians, but future leaders. Starting a Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter is one of the most effective ways to do both.

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Close-up view of high school band students performing with brass instruments, including trumpets and trombones, during a school concert.

Rethinking Band Adjudication Through an Equity Lens

Adjudication is meant to validate preparation, growth, and artistry. Yet, as educators, we must also prepare students to understand the system itself, its strengths, its limitations, and its human element.

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High school jazz ensemble rehearsal

Lead with Swing! Fostering Leadership, Collaboration, and Confidence Through Jazz Education

When teachers intentionally design rehearsal culture around these ideas, they create ensembles that don’t just play jazz—they are transformed by and through it.

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Illustration of cute cartoon birds singing

I Sing, Therefore I Am

I Sing, Therefore I Am By NAfME Member Meagan Mayne This article first appeared in the January 2026 issue of Teaching Music. Education today is often driven by performance metrics…

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four burned matches with fifth match out of line and unburnt, remaining four matches not burnt

On Finding the Rebel Match

On Finding the Rebel Match By NAfME Member Lisa Martin, Music Educators Journal Academic Editor This article first appeared in the March 2026 issue of Music Educators Journal. During the entirety of my…

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Young African American boy listens to teacher during remote learning session, demonstrating engagement through technology at home

Lessons from the Virtual Music Room

Trust, Wait Time, and Relationships That Matter By NAfME Member Dawn Firak  When people imagine an elementary music classroom, they often picture movement, laughter, instruments, and voices filling a shared…

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view from behind young boy at piano

My Children’s School System Wants to Eliminate Music Education

Making Key Changes to Advocate for a Vital Part of Every Student’s Education By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl “To be an activist is to speak. To be an advocate…

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walking trail steps in Great Smoky Mountains

Leave, Carry, Change

Leave, Carry, Change By NAfME Member Lisa Martin, Music Educators Journal Academic Editor This article first appeared in the September 2025 issue of Music Educators Journal. The way the timeline of publication works,…

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collage of treasure hunt items like a compass, journal, map, money, magnifying glass, recording device, and other items

The Treasure Hunt: Discovering Your One Word for the New Year

The Treasure Hunt Discovering Your One Word for the New Year By Rachel Clancy and NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl “Life is a treasure hunt. We are all searching for…

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elementary music student sitting on classroom floor raising her hand

The Importance of Teaching Audience Etiquette

The Importance of Teaching Audience Etiquette By NAfME Member Christina Toulios As an elementary music teacher who spends a lot of time preparing students for performances, I’ve come to realize…

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