Author Archives: Sound Innovations

Sound Innovations Author, Chris Bernotas, on the Importance of Warming Up Your Performing Ensemble

Posted on February 10, 2012

By Chris Bernotas Alfred Author What is the purpose of a warm up in the band (or any) classroom? Students come into our classrooms from a variety of places, both physically and mentally. Maybe they are coming from lunch, or … Continue reading →

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SI Guitar Interactive Brochure

Posted on January 26, 2012

What makes Sound Innovations for Guitar different from other methods? Focuses on real-world guitar skills The included SI Player allows students to slow tracks down and loop them for practice, and to select “minus one” play-along tracks Video lessons on … Continue reading →

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Sneak Peak: Sound Innovations for Guitar

Posted on December 7, 2011

So, you’re a band, orchestra, or choir teacher, and you were just asked to teach a guitar class. What do you do? Check out Sound Innovations for Guitar – perfect for teachers who don’t normally play (much less teach) guitar. … Continue reading →

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Having a Thanksgiving concert?

Having a Thanksgiving concert?

Having a Thanksgiving concert? Here’s a performance piece suggestion:

Thanksgiving
Music by J. Eric Schmidt
The theme and variation form is taken to new heights with the breathtaking new work from J. Eric Schmidt. The theme is presented brightly in the brass, and then proceeds with five variations. A recap of the material ends with a short and swirling coda. This new work will be the one every director is talking about this year!
PRICE: $70.00

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Image | Posted on November 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

Intonation Police: The Never-Ending Challenge In Live Performance

Posted on September 23, 2011

If you perform on a musical instrument that has a fixed intonation (commonly piano, guitar, mallet percussion, and electronic instruments), you rarely have to concern yourself with intonation other than noticing that the fixed notation has shifted and needs to … Continue reading →

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Helpful Tips on Flute Repair

Posted on September 1, 2011

As You’re Preparing for the New School Year, Here Are Some Tips for Getting Your School’s Flutes Up to Par. Working With the Pad Adjustment Screws on a Standard Concert Flute Here’s another essential skill that falls into the “things … Continue reading →

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Parents Pay – 3 Things You Can Do to Help Your Students Purchase the Right Book

Posted on August 22, 2011

1. Verify all your book and contact information is correct before placing your order. Since these books are custom-made for your class, we cannot accept any returns or exchanges once a purchase is made. Please double-check everything to make sure … Continue reading →

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Your Sound Innovations Ordering FAQs Answered

Posted on August 18, 2011

We’re thrilled that many directors are utilizing the revolutionary new technology that lets you custom-make your own Sound Innovations Book 1 for Concert Band or String Orchestra! We have heard from many enthusiastic directors interested in or already using Sound … Continue reading →

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Interview with Bob Phillips, Lead Author of SI for String Orchestra

Posted on July 28, 2011

We had a wonderful chat with Bob Phillips, lead author of SI for String Orchestra! In addition to his role as the Director of String Publications for Alfred Music Publishing, Bob is also President-elect of the American String Teachers Association … Continue reading →

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Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 2 is Now Available in SmartMusic

Posted on June 16, 2011

Students can access the method with a SmartMusic membership. The unique Sound Innovations section titles and exercise goals are incorporated within SmartMusic, so that students can focus on the individual goal for each exercise. For additional reinforcement, students can click … Continue reading →

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Register for Unleashing the Power of Sound Innovations and NEW Director’s Choice Features

Posted on June 7, 2011

It’s not too late to register for our FREE Sound Innovations webinar this week. Learn about the method, including our NEW Director’s Choice Edition customizable options, from Peter Boonshaft, Robert Sheldon, and Bob Phillips. Thursday, June 9. at 4-5 p.m. … Continue reading →

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New Features Added to Sound Innovations Director’s Choice Edition, Book 1!

Posted on May 28, 2011

Sound Innovations is constantly evolving to provide you with the latest opportunities to customize your method! New customizable features include: NEW! Parents can pay online for individual books NEW! Optional inclusion of note names in note heads NEW! Personalize the … Continue reading →

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Self Evaluation and Its Effect on Performance

Posted on May 20, 2011

By Chris M. Bernotas Some of the most important real-world skills that students need to acquire are how to think critically, evaluate and problem solve. We are lucky to teach and live in the world of arts where collaboration, problem … Continue reading →

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Instrumental Innovations Workshops, Co-hosted by Alfred and J.W. Pepper

Posted on May 13, 2011

Attend one of our Instrumental Innovations workshops in GA or NJ, and receive our FREE giveaways: Each registrant will receive the following: 1. Band or Orchestra Arrangement (one full set, any level, up to an $80 value) 2. Sound Innovations … Continue reading →

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SI Book 2 String Standard Edition is now available!

Posted on May 11, 2011

Sound Innovations Book 2 features: • Independent presentation of new concepts, keys, and rhythms, to help comprehension • A focus on ensemble-playing, to build musicianship • Plenty of practice and assessment opportunities, to reinforce lessons • Available in SmartMusic! • … Continue reading →

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Want to learn more about SI?

Posted on May 4, 2011

Learn more about Sound Innovations by downloading our updated comprehensive brochures, which include sample pages, instructions for using Director’s Choice, and list of contents for Book 2! Band (http://bit.ly/kSI9YY) String (http://bit.ly/kMOftR)!,

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Join Alfred at the ASTA 2011 National Conference

Posted on March 17, 2011

As you may know the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) is having their 2011 National Conference on March 17-19, 2011 in Kansas City, MO. They are featuring pre-conference workshops, a Strings-only exhibit hall, and exciting performances including the Suzuki Advanced … Continue reading →

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Sound Innovations is Now Available on SmartMusic!

Posted on December 1, 2010

Alfred is happy to announce that Sound Innovations is now on SmartMusic!  Not only can you now enjoy Sound Innovations on SmartMusic, this release coincides with a new and improved SmartMusic 2011! Just go to SmartMusic 2011a for the new … Continue reading →

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Cool Ideas for a Cool Era Webinar Recording

Posted on September 27, 2010

For those of you who missed the webinar by Vince Gassi and Chris Bernotas, the recording is now available – click on the webinar title below. Please note that the WebEx player is required to play the recording in its … Continue reading →

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Exclusive Teaching (and Learning) Tips from Sound Innovations Author Peter Boonshaft

Posted on September 21, 2010

The start of a new school year offers so much wonder, excitement and promise. As teachers, it also allows each of us a time to reexamine what we teach and how we teach it. This gives us a chance to … Continue reading →

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