This is our fifth installment of “Apps That Make Band Life Easier“. The response to our previous write ups has been overwhelming! Thanks for the support and we are delighted that the information posted has been useful to so many. If you missed those articles they will be linked below. In this write up we have included some of your favorite apps and websites for others to take advantage of. We will be including some of your app suggestions in this article and in future write-ups. Please continue to send them in and remember to check back periodically!
Class Dojo (Free) I was introduced to Class Dojo by my daughter’s 2nd grade teacher. She sent me a link to register for the app. She plans to use the app, on a daily basis, to keep parents abreast of how their child is doing in class. This is how it works:
I can see how directors can tie their band award/incentive program into this app. It can definitely help with keeping that information organized and easily accessible for students, staff, and parents.
It advertises itself as “the simple way to build an amazing classroom community.”
- Used in 90% K-8 schools in US | Always free for teachers
- Teachers can encourage students for any skill or value — whether it’s working hard, being kind, helping others or something else
- Students can showcase and share their learning by adding photos and videos to their own portfolios
- Get parents engaged by sharing photos and videos of wonderful classroom moments
Edjing – DJ Music Mixer Studio (Free, but also has a premium version) If your experiences have been anything like mine, then just because you have a degree in music you have probably been labeled the czar of all things musical on your campus. unbeknownst to you, being asked to play DJ at dances and functions is not outside of your job description (Man, I would have loved that class in undergrad). Luckily, “There’s an app for that”. Edjing DJ Music Mixer Studio is a mixer app that will have you looking like a pro. If you are like me, and you want to look cool without having to spend a lot of time practicing, then Edjing DJ Music Mixer Studio is the app for you. This app makes sound mixing a cinch without much of a hassle. Need to mix down some prerecorded narration or sounds for your fieldshow? Look no further, it handles all your mixing and recording needs. It also has an easy-to-use interface and many very useful features. You can loop, echo, scratch and flanger. For iOS users, Edjing has an option that lets you download tracks from the SoundCloud. You can even share the tracks you have mixed with your friends. This app is also available on Android.
The World’s Most Downloaded DJ App!
ASCAP/BMI These sites are, mostly, for the arranger/composers out there who need to be registered with these Performance Rights Organizations (P.R.O.) in order to get paid for your work. On the other side of the coin, these are the organizations that license the music we play on the stage and on the field so directors need to be aware of them to remain within the boundaries of copyrights, mechanical rights, and performance rights. If you are a composer or content creator these are the organizations that can have you living the good life if companies like Apple or Samsung decide to use your work in their commercials… ching-ching! A P.R.O. helps songwriters and publishers get paid for the usage of their music by collecting one of the most important forms of publishing revenue: performance royalties. As a songwriter, composer, or lyricist, you’re owed what is called a “performance royalty” any time your music is played on radio stations (terrestrial, satellite, and internet), used on TV shows or commercials, or performed in live venues. Those performance royalties are paid by radio stations, venues, and TV networks to Performing Rights Organizations like ASCAP and BMI who then distribute the money to their affiliated songwriters and publishers. SESAC is also a P.R.O. but their membership is by invitation only, and SOCAN is the P.R.O. for Canada. So it doesn’t matter if you’re “Joe Six Pack” or a big time celebrity, these orgs. are how you get paid for your work.
We Create Music!
Great article.