Classroom Management in the Music Room

By David Newell with links to related educational literature by Deborah L. Burris, Ph.D, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. David Newell’s new text book, Classroom Management in the Music Room: “Pin-Drop Quiet” Classes and Rehearsals, is a resource vital to any productive music classroom. Designed with simplicity in mind – simple to teach, simple to learn, and simple to administer – this book promotes student-centered self-discipline and turns classroom management into creating music.

• This management program is the Epitome of Simplicity: Simple to Teach, Simple to Learn, and Simple to Administer.
• Instead of TEACHER-centered discipline and control, this book promotes STUDENT-centered SELF-discipline and SELF-control.
• The responsibility for behavior in this program is precisely where it belongs — squarely on the shoulders of the students.
• Yelling is counter-productive. Things said softly register most loudly on the student brain. The teacher sets the climate in the classroom.
• It’s not the SEVERITY of a consequence that deters poor behavior: It’s the CERTAINTY of it! The stated consequence MUST happen!
• The words “please” and “thank you” should never be used in a management situation. Good manners? — Yes! Politely asking students to behave? — No!
• Reward Programs: The good and the not-so-good.
• Competition in Performing Ensembles: The good and the not-so-good.
• Proximity: Both a Management and a Musical tool.
• Students’ classroom time should be filled with MUSIC: “More Music — Less Teacher Talk — Everyday!”
• Students deserve to have a musically satisfying experience every time they are in our classrooms.
• MUSIC takes over the MANAGEMENT in the classroom.
• Great music teaching comes with a built-in side benefit—great discipline.
• A close look at the well-managed and well-planned, aesthetically-driven class or rehearsal.
• Grading in music classes: Its relationship to Behavior and to Improved Performance
• Looking at the Music Performance Class as a Community
• MANAGEMENT through MUSIC: What could be better?