October 2025 Energizing Young Players: Creative Ideas to Inspire Beginners bySBO+ Contributor October 15, 2025
String Section: Humor and Creativity in Classical Music byMike Lawson April 6, 2018 0 I have noticed an increased acceptance (in and aside from the classical musician’s professional world) of artists with classical training...
SBO Presents the Class of 2018 Best Tools for Schools Award Recipients byMike Lawson March 3, 2018 0 The annual SBO Best Tools for Schools awards were presented at the 2018 Winter NAMM.
Stringed Instruments: Winter Weather Helping Students Handle Instrument Maintenance Needs from a Distance byMike Lawson March 2, 2018 0 This January found many students without adequately functional instruments (as can most winter months).
Bowings: An Orchestral Language byMike Lawson January 8, 2018 0 If you have spent much time in the company of career orchestral string players, you will undoubtedly encounter or witness...
Etiquette and Managing Musicians byMike Lawson December 6, 2017 0 Originally intended as a “grand finale” to the series of articles addressing orchestral etiquette(s), I am finally able to present...
Appreciating and Teaching Musical Movement in the Symphony Orchestra byMike Lawson November 6, 2017 0 I have often wondered how music appreciation can effectively be taught in a class-setting.
Clarinet Reed Adjustment and Care byMike Lawson October 5, 2017 0 There are many significant benefits to being able to adjust and maintain clarinet reeds.
Finding the Perfect Flute at the Perfect Price byMike Lawson October 5, 2017 0 Have you ever tried to saw wood with a dull saw blade? Or tried to use a butter knife instead...
School Orchestra and Private Instruction Working Together (and Avoiding Conflict) byMike Lawson October 4, 2017 0 There are good reasons guiding a fairly uncontested rule of ethics amongst teachers who provide individual instruction to students in...
A Practical Guide to Chamber Music Success byMike Lawson September 8, 2017 0 It is rare to hear a string player be anything but enthusiastic when it comes to playing with other musicians of...
The Importance of Personal Musical Enrichment for Educators: Goals, ongoing ensemble experiences, and retaining professional performance as instrumentalists and musicians byMike Lawson July 14, 2017 0 As musicians and educators, I suspect at some point in time each of us has experienced “the fear.”
Concepts and Tips for Teaching Form byMike Lawson June 19, 2017 0 There are few aspects of playing a stringed instrument (specifically violin/viola) which feel like a natural, physically familiar, comfortable use...