Educators have long known that a student’s needs must be met before meaningful learning can occur. In this practical guide, Scott Edgar empowers music teachers to prioritize student well-being through embedded life-skill development in the music classroom.

To better understand the unprecedented challenges today’s students face, Edgar surveyed K–12 music teachers and students nationwide. He found that students—across a range of grades and contexts—consistently experience the following challenges:

• Struggles with self-management and impulse control
• Difficulty balancing expectations
• Fear of taking risks or being vulnerable
• Lack of resilience

For each challenge, Edgar explores typical student behaviors and suggests practical ways teachers can offer support. He also presents real-life scenarios ranging from elementary to high school that demonstrate thoughtful teacher responses to common challenging situations.

In addition, Yorel Lashley shares an adaptable framework for centering student voices and embedding life-skill development in the music classroom. Darlene Machacon also contributes a chapter on the power of culturally responsive teaching, inviting educators to use music as a tool for social impact and student empowerment.

Needs Before Notes is a must-have resource for developing the ability to read student behavior and respond with empathy while also teaching important life skills for music and beyond.

Scott N. Edgar is Associate Professor of Music at Lake Forest College. He is the author of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning: The Heart of Teaching Music and is an internationally sought-after clinician on the topic. He serves as Director of Practice and Research for The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning (www.artsedsel.org) and serves as SEL Editor for GIA Publications.