Plugged In

May 2026

Music Will Teacher Toolkit

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating you by delivering on something we know matters: better tools, stronger opportunities, and real support for the work you do every day. We know May is a whirlwind of final concerts, grading marathons, and the push to put a bow on the 2025-2026 school year.

To help you stay in the groove during this final stretch, we’ve curated this month's toolkit to highlight the newly upgraded JamZone, the upcoming Electronic Music PD, and fresh In Tune resources. Whether you’re looking for a quick lesson to keep students engaged after the big performance or planning your summer growth at the Modern Band Summit, we’ve gathered everything in one place so you can head into summer feeling ready and inspired.

Empty space, drag to resize
Write your awesome label here.

The JamZone just got a major glow up

JamZone now brings songs, lessons, and classroom tools together into a more streamlined, connected, and classroom-ready experience, so you can spend less time searching and more time making music with your students. It also creates more opportunities for students to engage directly with the material and take ownership of their learning.
What’s new:
  • Your personal teaching hub: Create a teacher account to bookmark your go-to songs and lessons, and return to them easily when you need them
  • Class codes that empower student-led learning: Share class codes that give students direct access to the songs and resources you’ve curated, so they can explore, practice, and engage more independently
  • Improved navigation and search: Locate the right resource in the moment quickly and easily
  • Enhanced, more structured song charts: Updated charts and pathways support how you move through a lesson and help students follow along more easily
  • A more connected experience across tools: JamZone is now part of a unified Music Will ecosystem that includes Music Will Academy, connecting your professional development with your classroom experience

May 2026 InTune Magazine

From K-Pop to Songwriting Secrets
This month in In Tune magazine, students can dive into the world of K-Pop sensations Stray Kids, featuring popular song charts and skill-building practice activities. We’re also breaking down the songwriting process with practical tips on writing your first song—the perfect follow-up for those who participated in the National Songwriting Exhibition.

Ever wonder what The Marías, Clairo, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell all have in common? Want to learn how to play Yungblud’s take on "Zombie"? Or perhaps you're curious about "Musical Subtraction" and how musicians use it to upset expectations and create excitement? You can find all of this and more in the May issue!

Benefits include: 

  • Higher levels of student engagement
  • Easier classroom management
  • A Focus on creativity
  • Create career connections
  • Curriculum Articulation with ELA and STEM


Scaffolding Successful Experiences: Electronic Music Educator Workshop

Want to lower the barrier to providing music technology coursework and raise outcomes for your students?
Our friends at ShedtheMusic are offering a massive summer opportunity to learn music production and songwriting through the Electronic Music Educator Workshop (EMEW). If you’re looking to focus on creativity and connect music to what students are actually into—like content creator pathways and video game audio—you’ll find the full details and the free signup link inside the Toolkit!
This summer, you can learn directly from Bob Habersat (Yamaha 40 Under 40 2025 and TI:ME Teacher of the Year 2026) and Eric Jao (World-Renowned DJ and Ableton Certified Trainer). There are four 2-week cohort sessions where teachers from across the world learn, write, and collaborate in a social media-like atmosphere. The PD is hosted on ShedtheMusic’s training portal and includes asynchronous projects plus two optional Zoom sessions.
As always, the workshop is free! Participants earn 12 professional development hours (with optional graduate credit from the University of San Diego) and receive an extended trial of Soundtrap EDU, access to Electronic Music Elements I, II, and Pro, and a chance to win giveaway prizes.  

Big News: Earn Graduate Credits at Modern Band Summit

We are thrilled to announce a deeper partnership with Colorado State University to help you turn your Summit experience into tangible professional growth! This year, attendees can earn up to two graduate credits (CEUs) for participating in our sessions and workshops.
It’s the perfect way to invest in your career while enjoying the magic of Fort Collins. Here is everything you need to know to get started:
Details: 
  • Earn up to 2 credits at a rate of $77 per credit.
  • Registration is open from May 1st through July 31st.
  • To earn credit, you’ll submit session reflections by August 7th.
  • Grades will be submitted by August 14th, at which point you can request your official transcripts from CSU to complete your district or state continuing education process.
Important Note: Before you dive in, please check with your specific district to ensure these credits meet your local requirements. Also, per CSU policy, this course cannot be dropped and is not eligible for a refund once you've registered.
If you have any questions, please contact Program Assistant, Sally Ketchum, and the CSU Online Enrollment Services team at:  csu_online_contract_courses@colostate.edu

Teaching and Learning Resources to Explore

Music Will Academy

FREE Asynch Professional Development for Teachers

Empty space, drag to resize

Music Listening and Exploration

We all listen to music, but what are some ways to mindfully engage with what we are hearing? Explore activities connected to movement, visual art, & cultural context that can help you and your students connect to old and new favorites in fresh ways!
Empty space, drag to resize

Technology as an Instrument

This course explores specific ways that technology can be used to transform your modern band classroom through scaffolding opportunities, sounds, and accessibility. The course will cover two DAWs, or digital audio workstations: GarageBand for iPad and the web-based Soundtrap. 
Empty space, drag to resize

Music Will JamZone

FREE Video Lesson Series for Students

Empty space, drag to resize

Running a Sound Check

This series is for both performers and those who want to learn about live music production. You will learn about how a "sound check" works before a gig, how to prepare, and how to make things sound great on stage and in the audience.
Empty space, drag to resize

Listening to Music

  • A great tool for post-concert and school-year reflection.
  • Amplify your classroom listening sessions with strategies that move beyond the ears.
  • Dive into a series of guided lessons featuring tactile drawing, active "air instrument" playing, and form-mapping to help students engage deeply with new music or reflect on performance.