Music educators are in a prime position to help students become socially and emotionally competent while at the same time develop excellent musicianship. For every child to be successful in the music classroom, teachers need to be aware of the whole student. How do music educators create success when students every day struggle with social awareness, bullying, communication, problem solving, and other challenges? This pioneering book by Scott Edgar addresses how music educators can utilize Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to maximize learning in the choral, instrumental, and general music classroom at all levels, and at the same time support a student’s social and emotional growth. Foreword by Tim Lautzenheiser.

This text focuses on our greatest privilege and challenge as music educators. As teachers who often see a student grow up through years in our programs, we are in the unique position to help them to become mature, self-aware young adults. Dr. Edgar’s book provides clear, rational examples for incorporating Social Emotional Learning into the music classroom or rehearsal. This is a much-needed text for our field.

— Daniel Brame 
     Director of Bands
     Deerfield (IL) High School

Scott Edgar’s book is essential reading for those who view education holistically and want to understand how music teaching strategies they may already use can become catalysts for students’ social and emotional well-being.

— Susan Wharton Conkling
     Professor of Music, Music Education
     Boston University

Scott Edgar provides numerous strategies and practical examples that music teachers in all areas can use in their efforts to support the ‘whole child’ in learning through music. It is a must read for anyone interested in really getting to the heart of music education.

— Colleen Conway
     Professor of Music Education
     University of Michigan

This book is a gift to the entire world of music education.

— Tim Lautzenheiser
     Pioneer in music leadership resources

Scott N. Edgar is Assistant Professor of Music, Music Education Chair, and Director of Bands at Lake Forest College, IL. He is an active clinician and adjudicator in the Midwest for both concert band and marching band, and regularly presents at professional development and research conferences on music education topics, social emotional learning, and music teacher assessment.

With contributions by Jacqueline Kelly-McHale and Jared Rawlings