Orchestra 101 Podcast

The definition of legacy is something that is passed on. This series called "Orchestra Legacies" will be focusing on local Orchestra directors who have impacted our musical community by passing on their knowledge and experience to current and future teachers. 

My first guest is my own high school mentor. Charles T. Angerstein has been teaching for over fifty years.  He is presently teaching private violin and viola lessons to several students throughout the city of El Paso, TX.  He has over twenty-two years of classroom experience and fourteen years as a district administrator.  He then served as the Director of Fine Arts for the El Paso Independent School District until his retirement in 2015. He was a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for sixteen years and has performed with many other professional organizations.  Mr. Angerstein has served on the UIL Music Executive Board for Region 22 and Area "A".  He has adjudicated several UIL competitions in Texas and New Mexico. He has served as a clinician/conductor in several All-Region student organizations throughout Texas and New Mexico. Mr. Angerstein is the Past-President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association and is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association.  He is a member of Mu Omicron which is a Non-Profit Honorary Fraternity with the main purpose to encourage and foster the development of orchestral music in our schools and communities.  He is also a member of the Texas Music Administrators Conference.  

In this second episode we will be talking about his teaching experience, his years in school administration and his experience as a Fine Arts Director.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

The definition of legacy is something that is passed on. This series called "Orchestra Legacies" will be focusing on local Orchestra directors who have impacted our musical community by passing on their knowledge and experience to current and future teachers. 

My first guest is my own high school mentor. Charles T. Angerstein has been teaching for over fifty years.  He is presently teaching private violin and viola lessons to several students throughout the city of El Paso, TX.  He has over twenty-two years of classroom experience and fourteen years as a district administrator.  He then served as the Director of Fine Arts for the El Paso Independent School District until his retirement in 2015. He was a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for sixteen years and has performed with many other professional organizations.  Mr. Angerstein has served on the UIL Music Executive Board for Region 22 and Area "A".  He has adjudicated several UIL competitions in Texas and New Mexico. He has served as a clinician/conductor in several All-Region student organizations throughout Texas and New Mexico. Mr. Angerstein is the Past-President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association and is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association.  He is a member of Mu Omicron which is a Non-Profit Honorary Fraternity with the main purpose to encourage and foster the development of orchestral music in our schools and communities.  He is also a member of the Texas Music Administrators Conference.  

In this first episode we will be talking about the history of our Orchestra programs in our city, his mentors and how he started his music teaching career.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Many Orchestra teachers throughout the country are now teaching additional classes such as guitar and piano. This creates a challenge when you don't play guitar. Where do I start? What kind of guitar should I buy?  What does a beginning guitar class look like? What kind of curriculum should I use? Join me in this journey as I will be teaching guitar for this upcoming school year.

My guest is Arturo Gomez, guitar instructor at Socorro High School in El Paso, TX. In this 3-episode series, we will be talking about the guitar fundamentals we as teachers need to know, class equipment, class curriculum, solo vs. ensemble playing, performance opportunities and so much more. 

Mr. Arturo Gomez has been teaching multi-level guitar classes at the high school level since 2009. His students have consistently received Superior ratings at various UIL Music Festivals both at the local and state level. 

- Hal Leonard Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1

- Hal Leonard Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 2

- Pumping Nylon - Complete: The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook, Book & Online Video/Audio (Pumping Nylon Series)

- A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar: Book 1 by Charles Duncan

- www.guitarcurriculum.com

- Teaching Beginning Guitar Class: A Practical Guide by Bill Swick

- Folding Guitar Foot Rest

- Classical Guitar Padded Support 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Many Orchestra teachers throughout the country are now teaching additional classes such as guitar and piano. This creates a challenge when you don't play guitar. Where do I start? What kind of guitar should I buy?  What does a beginning guitar class look like? What kind of curriculum should I use? Join me in this journey as I will be teaching guitar for this upcoming school year.

My guest is Arturo Gomez, guitar instructor at Socorro High School in El Paso, TX. In this 3-episode series, we will be talking about the guitar fundamentals we as teachers need to know, class equipment, class curriculum, solo vs. ensemble playing, performance opportunities and so much more. 

Mr. Arturo Gomez has been teaching multi-level guitar classes at the high school level since 2009. His students have consistently received Superior ratings at various UIL Music Festivals both at the local and state level. 

- Hal Leonard Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1

- Hal Leonard Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 2

- Pumping Nylon - Complete: The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook, Book & Online Video/Audio (Pumping Nylon Series)

- A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar: Book 1 by Charles Duncan

- www.guitarcurriculum.com

- Teaching Beginning Guitar Class: A Practical Guide by Bill Swick

- Folding Guitar Foot Rest

- Classical Guitar Padded Support 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Many Orchestra teachers throughout the country are now teaching additional classes such as guitar and piano. This creates a challenge when you don't play guitar. Where do I start? What kind of guitar should I buy?  What does a beginning guitar class look like? What kind of curriculum should I use? Join me in this journey as I will be teaching guitar for this upcoming school year.

My guest is Arturo Gomez, guitar instructor at Socorro High School in El Paso, TX. In this 3-episode series, we will be talking about the guitar fundamentals we as teachers need to know, class equipment, class curriculum, solo vs. ensemble playing, performance opportunities and so much more. 

Mr. Arturo Gomez has been teaching multi-level guitar classes at the high school level since 2009. His students have consistently received Superior ratings at various UIL Music Festivals both at the local and state level. 

- Hal Leonard Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1

- Hal Leonard Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 2

- Pumping Nylon - Complete: The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook, Book & Online Video/Audio (Pumping Nylon Series)

- A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar: Book 1 by Charles Duncan

- www.guitarcurriculum.com

- Teaching Beginning Guitar Class: A Practical Guide by Bill Swick

- Folding Guitar Foot Rest

- Classical Guitar Padded Support 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

The beginning of the school year can be a very stressful time for teachers. But if we can prepare for the next school year by being proactive.

In this third and last episode, our guest, Mary Escarciga, provides us with some more tips on how we can achieve that starting in May. This episode will cover how to get your student instruments ready so you can start the year performing on day one.

Mary Escarciga is an Orchestra Director with over 18 years of experience both in the middle and high school orchestra setting. She has mentored new teachers in her district since 2007. She has coordinated multiple Orchestra events in her district of Ysleta. She is currently a middle school Orchestra director in the Ysleta Independent School District. Feel free to contact Mrs. Escarciga at mescarciga@yisd.net

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

The beginning of the school year can be a very stressful time for teachers. But if we can prepare for the next school year by being proactive in May, we can make it a little less stressful.

In this second episode, our guest, Mary Escarciga, provides us with some more tips on how we can achieve that starting in May. This episode will cover how to get your student music binders ready so you can start the year performing on day one.

Mary Escarciga is an Orchestra Director with over 18 years of experience both in the middle and high school orchestra setting. She has mentored new teachers in her district since 2007. She has coordinated multiple Orchestra events in her district of Ysleta. She is currently a middle school Orchestra director in the Ysleta Independent School District. Feel free to contact Mrs. Escarciga at mescarciga@yisd.net

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

The beginning of the school year can be a very stressful time for teachers. But if we can prepare for the next school year by being proactive in May, we can make it a little less stressful.

In this episode our guest, Mary Escarciga, provides us with some tips on how we can achieve that starting in May. This episode will cover how to incorporate students into this process, checking in your school inventory and supplies, resources you can plan ahead of time, instrumental repair and so many other tips. 

Mary Escarciga is an Orchestra Director with over 18 years of experience both in the middle and high school orchestra setting. She has mentored new teachers in her district since 2007. She has coordinated multiple Orchestra events in her district of Ysleta. She is currently a middle school Orchestra director in the Ysleta Independent School District. Feel free to contact Mrs. Escarciga at mescarciga@yisd.net

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Preparing for a Music Festival can be less stressful if we know what the adjudicators are listening for. Join me and my special guest, Mrs. Adria Dunn on this second of three episodes as we talk about the adjudicators point of view especially in the sight-reading room and how we can implement these strategies in our everyday teaching. 

Adria Dunn is an Orchestra director with over 27 years of experience in the public school setting. She also is a violinist in the El Paso Symphony and other musical organizations in the region. She is a UIL Adjudicator for the State of Texas and is currently the Instructional Specialist  at the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso, Texas. Feel free to contact Mrs. Dunn at adunn@yisd.net

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Preparing for your Music Festival takes a great amount of planning. But this task can be daunting if there is no clarity on the starting point. Join me and my special guest, Mrs. Adria Dunn as we discuss the steps required to plan for our annual festival. 

In this first of three episodes we discuss the many components that come into play when we are picking our Music Festival selections. We also discuss several rehearsal tips and techniques to help our students perform successfully. 

Adria Dunn is an Orchestra director with over 27 years of experience in the public school setting. She also is a violinist in the El Paso Symphony and other musical organizations in the region. She is a UIL Adjudicator for the State of Texas and is currently the Instructional Specialist  at the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso, Texas. Feel free to contact Mrs. Dunn at adunn@yisd.net

Classroom management is an important aspect if a successful program. Students thrive when it is done correctly. Frustration happens when procedures are not set in place. In this third of three episodes I share several instructional strategies, guiding students on how to ask questions and how to be mindful of the energy and effort you bring to your classroom. 

Links to the Resources mentioned in this episode:

Links to Teachers I follow on Social Media: 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Classroom management is an important aspect if a successful program. Students thrive when it is done correctly. Frustration happens when procedures are not set in place. In this second of three episodes I share my experiences with how to engage students in the orchestra classroom, establish student rapport, defining your role as a teacher and mentor, and some more management strategies. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Classroom management is an important aspect for a successful music program. Students thrive when it is done correctly. Frustration happens when procedures are not set in place. In this first of three episodes I share my experiences with factors that affect student behavior, establishing class routines, how to get to know your students and discuss management  strategies. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

How do we as Orchestra directors keep our high level performing students engaged in our classes? What preparation is needed to help them transition into the the collegiate music level? 

Our guest, Sergio Ramos, Orchestra Director at Pebble Hills High School in El Paso, TX joins us to discuss how he creates a community and environment that fosters his high level performing students. This is a two part series of our conversation in which we also discuss teacher demonstration, private/group lessons and the expectations needed for high level playing. 

Sergio Ramos can be reached at:

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

How do we as Orchestra directors keep our high level performing students engaged in our classes? What preparation is needed to help them transition into the the collegiate music level? 

Our guest, Sergio Ramos, Orchestra Director at Pebble Hills High School in El Paso, TX joins us to discuss how he creates a community and environment that fosters his high level performing students. This is a two part series of our conversation in which we also discuss teacher demonstration, private/group lessons and the expectations needed for high level playing. 

Sergio Ramos can be reached at:

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Technology in the Orchestra classroom can help enhance your lesson delivery, help with classroom management, and provide options when creating assignments specific to our student needs. 

In this episode I share some of my favorite technology tools that I use in my classroom such as: 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

This is the final session of a four part series on how I start Beginning Students in my classroom. I use the the Suzuki Method and modify it for the public school setting. Both my students and I have so much fun while a lot of learning is also taking place. In this final episode I finish talking about how I teach all of the Twinkle Variations; introducing more Suzuki Book 1 pieces; the method books I use in the classroom and how I do my first Beginners Concert. 

SUGGESTED LINKS

No H in Snake: Music Theory for Children by Michiko Yurko

Music Mind Games by Michiko Yurko

Solo Time for Strings Book 1 arr. Forest Etling

Etling String Class Method Book 1 by Forest Etling

Workbook for Strings Book 1 by Forest Etling

I Can Read Music - Violin, Vol.1 by Joanne Martin

I Can Read Music - Viola, Vol.1 by Joanne Martin

I Can Read Music - Cello, Vol.1 by Joanne Martin

www.onlineorchestrastore.com 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

This is the third part of a multiple episode series on how I start Beginning Orchestra students in my classroom. I use the Suzuki Method and modify it for the Orchestra classroom. Both my students and I have so much fun while a lot of learning is also taking place. In this third episode I share the first lessons I use to help students play their instruments for the first time, how students start placing their fingers and the fun songs to help develop the left hand skills. 

YouTube Link for Suzuki Arm Exercise for Variation A >>  https://youtu.be/VshR5rpxvBE

First Frets for Violin/Viola/Cello https://www.sharmusic.com/shop.axd/Search?button-search=Search&keywords=first+frets

“The Little Monkey Song” PDF Resource https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Suzuki-Pre-Twinkle-Songs-for-the-Orchestra-Classroom-6773466

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

This is the second part of a multiple episode series on how I start Beginning Orchestra students in my classroom. I use the Suzuki Method and modify it for the Orchestra classroom. Both my students and I have so much fun while a lot of learning is also taking place. In this second episode I share how we train the muscles to hold a training bow and instrument using egg cartons and paint rollers. I also talk about how I distribute my instruments to my beginning students. 

YouTube Link for Suzuki Arm Exercise for Variation A >>  https://youtu.be/VshR5rpxvBE

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

Starting beginning students in Orchestra can be a wonderful experience when you have the right tools. I will be sharing my personal experience on how I start Beginning Orchestra students in my classroom. I have used the Suzuki Method and adapted it to the Orchestra classroom. Both my students and I have so much fun while a lot of learning is also taking place. I invite you to join me in this multiple part series on how I implement this method with my beginning students. 

YouTube Link for Suzuki Arm Exercise for Variation A >>  https://youtu.be/VshR5rpxvBE

Music Mind Games by Michiko Yurko >> https://www.musicmindgames.com/

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you.

We continue with the second and final part of my interview with Orchestra Diretor Jesus "Chuy" Diaz on what is that “WHY” factor that keeps our students coming back our classroom year after year. Please check out the first part of this interview to hear about how our guest started his music education journey. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes . I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you!!

What is that “WHY” factor that keeps your students coming back to your classroom year after year?

“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”. We can offer our Orchestra students many opportunities but we cannot force them to take them. So how do we create that “thirst” in our students so they could choose to “drink” the water? Orchestra Director, Jesus “Chuy” Diaz, shares his experiences from his musical journey.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes . I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you!!

This is the last episode of my 3 part interview with Cynthia Cabada on creating, shaping or rebooting your new music program. We finish our conversation with some last tips for all our fellow teachers out there who find themselves stepping in a new program this year. Please check out the the first two episodes of this series as well. Thank you so much for joining me in this conversation. I truly appreciate it.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW - Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you!

This is the second part of a three part interview about how to Create, Shape or Reboot a new music program. In this episode we will be discussing how to setup up the following for your Orchestra organization: handbook, routines, events, curriculum, and so much more. Don't forget to check out Part 1 and Part 3 of this series as well. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW - Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you!

Are you starting in a brand new school this year and tasked with starting a new Orchestra? Or perhaps your stepping into a well established Orchestra program? Maybe your rebooting an Orchestra that didn't have a director for a while.

Today's guest has had experience in all these three unique scenarios. She will be talking about her experiences and sharing her advice for each of these cases. This is a three part series so don't forget to check the other episodes. Part 1 will cover these topics: Introduction, Establishing school relationships. and the importance of a good attitude. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW - Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank you!

Welcome to the ORCHESTRA 101 Podcast!

Many teachers expereinced a school year in remote learning during the Covid Pandemic in 2020. Technology became a requirement and was no longer an option for many Orchestra Teachers. 

In this podcast I share my reflection on the past year and how I learned to convert some of my classroom paper resources into digital copies such as: 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Are you subscribed to this podcast? If you are not, I want to encourage you to do that today. This will ensure you get notified of future episodes. I would also be very grateful if you left this podcast a review. Those reviews will help other Orchestra teachers find this podcast. Thank You!