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5 Teacher Tips to Survive the Chaos!
The weeks ahead are often some of the busiest—and most stressful—for music teachers. Juggling large numbers of students across multiple performances, while keeping up with your regular classes, can really add to an already full schedule. This week, I want to share a few tips I’ve learned (through plenty of trial, error, and experience) to help YOU make the most of the weeks to come!
A few years ago, I was preparing for a concert and made my usual printed program—only to discover a mistake. I had to reprint it, and then the photocopier started jamming. After finally getting everything going, after the concert I noticed that many programs were just left on chairs and ended up in the recycling bin. That’s when I realized I needed to do something different.
I saw on the Musicplay Teachers Facebook Group that some teachers were using QR codes—brilliant! So I created a Google Doc (now I use Canva) and linked my program notes. It worked wonderfully! If I needed to make any edits, it was quick and easy—and best of all, no wasted paper or battles with the photocopier.
See the video below on how to make a QR code:
This leadership role has become a coveted position at my school! I invite 6–8 Grade 6 students to help during the concerts—both daytime and evening shows. Clear communication and assigning specific jobs is essential for this team. Our roles include: Doors, Lights, Slideshow, Runners, Videos, and School Mascot Assistant. I schedule which students take each role for each performance so we know every job is covered.
During our final concerts of the year, I also bring in a few Grade 5 students so they can start training for next year. And of course, we wrap up the season by rewarding the team with a pizza party at the end of the year!
My school installed a new sound system a few years ago, and I was assured that the Bluetooth connection would always work. But on Remembrance Day, when it was time for O Canada, the track wouldn’t play. It was an awkward moment, and after that I promised myself I would never rely on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi during a concert again.
Now, I make sure all my accompaniment tracks are downloaded ahead of time and organized into a playlist so I don’t have to worry about internet connections at all.
The good news: with your MusicplayOnline subscription, accompaniment downloads are included!
To download: from the song page, go to Audio Tracks and click the down arrow on the right side.
Check Out the Help Article to Learn More!
I used to get so exhausted from moving Orff instruments, chairs, and tearing down the stage and sound system after a concert. Then after my last concert, I asked at the end if there are a few people willing to stay for a few minutes afterwards to move things back into the music room. What used to take me hours took 15 minutes.
I also started asking parent volunteers to help set up and tear down the stage and sound system. Their reward: reserved seating and entry through the side doors—no crowds and no waiting out in the cold! It’s been a fantastic incentive, and now I have a reliable group of parents who know exactly how to set everything up quickly and safely. Even better, they take pride in being part of the concert team, and the whole process runs smoother for everyone.
The day after a concert can be exhausting—and most of us still have to teach! I’ve found that this is the perfect time for student-led activities like centers and review games. If you have access to devices, consider setting up a day of digital games on MusicplayOnline. You’ll also find lots of great ideas in the webinar linked below.
What Do I Do After The December Concert Webinar:
Division One Ideas:
- Holiday Word Rhythm Sort Center
- Super Simple Music Centers Books 1 and 2
- Lego Instrument Building - Students make a percussion instrument.
- Book Exploration - Use a variety of holiday books students can look through.
- Singing Puppet Play - students make up a "singing" puppet show.
Division Two Ideas:
- Rhythm Dice Games (this product includes the dice!)
- Listen to Holiday Song Parodies - Deck the Halls with Poison Ivy, Hark I Hear a Christmas Song, Jingle Bells Batman Smells, O Christmas T
- Worksheets - See link for coloring pages, rhythm sorts and more!
- Musicplay Game Choice Board - Here is an example of what I use in my room and post this in our Google Classroom.
- Busted Game - Students work in groups of 4-5. Write grade level appropriate rhythms on popsicle sticks and put into a container. Student selects a stick and places it in front of them, then says and claps the rhythm. The next student does the same and continue turns around the circle. If student selects stick that says "busted", they put all their sticks back in the container.
I’d love to hear YOUR best concert-week tips! What’s something you do that helps everything run smoothly? Hit reply and share!
Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 @ 4:30-5:30 MST (60 Minutes)
A recorded version will be available if you are unable to watch live.
In this webinar, Stacy will share some of her favorite music center resources! She will showcase centers from her Super Simple Music Centers collection, along with a variety of play-based centers and games that require minimal prep. Stacy will also highlight centers and games included with MusicplayOnline, including the NEW recorder centers. She will provide practical classroom management strategies for running successful music centers and explain why she relies on them during those “crazy weeks” before holidays or the end of the school year. Discover how to make play a meaningful and engaging part of your music instruction.
We wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates from the team: