5 Top Music Teacher Supplies to Upgrade Your Classroom

Make a back-to-school checklist worth singing about

Music is one of the few things that unites all people, regardless of age or culture. That’s why musical training and education are so vital in classrooms. What other skill can prepare you to understand and experience the entire world in such a comprehensive way?

It’s vital for music teachers to collect supplies and resources that communicate these experiences. Unfortunately, that isn’t always easy given the high cost of instruments—but there are many choices you can use to upgrade the classroom. Let’s take a closer look at music teacher supplies worth considering for your checklist.

5 music teacher supplies to upgrade & uplift your classroom

1. Classroom essentials

Music rooms are unique classroom environments, but they are still classrooms. That means in addition to instruments and performance tools, music teachers need paper, pencils and similar school supplies. In addition to those basics, a well-equipped music room should have:

• Seating: Musicians and students shouldn’t be expected to stand for an entire performance. Chairs can help them sit comfortably during a lesson while promoting good posture and other beneficial traits. Alternatively, younger students may appreciate a large circular rug that’s comfortable and encourages collaboration with partners.

• Music stands: Desks aren’t practical for most music rooms, but students still need a space for their paper and notes. Music stands make it easier to hold music sheets and notes while being portable for easy storage. Try to prioritize adjustable stands that can be altered for seated or standing performances.

• Whiteboards: All school lessons are presentations, which makes quality whiteboards one of the most-used music classroom supplies. If a wall-mounted unit isn’t enough, consider buying a mobile dry-erase board that you can reposition to support any class configuration. Don’t forget about markers and erasers!

2. Storage & organization

Most classrooms need storage space to ensure books and supplies are out of sight until you need them. These needs can be greater when classroom music supplies include expensive instruments! Thankfully, teachers have a variety of solutions, from specialized acoustic storage to makeshift hangers.

Ideally, anything that holds a musical instrument should be upright, well-ventilated and take up minimal space. For example, guitar racks can hold multiple units with additional equipment. Some vendors also offer musical instrument cabinets with locked doors to protect valuable equipment. When all else fails, wall hooks let you hang instruments in a closet with minimal fuss.

Don’t forget about organizational tools that help you keep track of everything! Labels can be immeasurably useful, along with storage trays and bins.

3. Acoustic support

Professional music and rehearsal rooms have unique design features to eliminate distracting sounds. At a minimum, acoustical panels are an excellent investment. They enhance sound distribution within a given space, mitigating hot spots, dead spots, echo flutter and other distortions.

If you have the budget for it, some technologies can enhance the benefits of traditional panels. Acoustical systems let teachers adjust the room’s acoustics with a button press, mimicking spaces like auditoriums, churches and sports arenas. Some systems include additional tools that are useful for performances and rehearsals, such as recording or playback options. 

4. Performance tools

While many schools have a music room, some don’t have the resources for a performance area outside a gymnasium. Thankfully, there are classroom music supplies for turning any space into a stage, whether you’re in an auditorium or conducting an outdoor performance. Even better, most performance tools are modular, portable and easy to store.

• Choral risers: During a musical performance, students should sing to an audience—not the back of a classmate’s head. Adjustable choral risers let you arrange your musicians into rows with different heights, making it easier to hear each sound. Even better, they come in standing and seated varieties to support vocal and instrumental performances.

• Staging systems: Similar to choral risers, staging systems let you assemble modular pieces into a stage. They’re usually more customizable than risers and may include technological upgrades, such as integrated sound systems.

• Acoustic shells: An acoustic shell can help redirect sound toward an audience. Simply position the shell behind your risers and staging system for improved sound quality without the need for electricity.

5. Instruments

Last, but certainly not least, are the musical instruments themselves. While a music teacher’s needs will vary by classroom and grade, it’s a good idea to carry different instrument categories so everyone has something to play:

• Percussion: These instruments produce sound from the impact of objects striking each other. Most percussion categories are named for their material, which includes woods (claves, tone blocks), metals (cymbals, triangles), shakers (bells, egg shakers), skins (drums) and scrapers (washboards, guiros). Try to obtain a few examples from each category, such as cymbals and triangles for metal or varying drum types for skins.

• Orff instruments: Orff refers to the Orff-Schulwerk method of music education, which emphasizes small keyed instruments like xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels. Don’t forget to pair each instrument with sticks and mallets, if they aren’t included!

• Keyboards: Traditionally, music classrooms wouldn’t have more than a single piano or keyboard that teachers manage directly. That reality is slowly changing thanks to student keyboards—smaller units that offer simplified features at a reduced cost. If you have room for keyboards in your budget, look for package sets.

• Classical instruments: String, wind and brass instruments are popular choices in any music classroom, but they won’t necessarily fit most budgets in the short term. Over the long term, however, guitars, trumpets, saxophones and other instruments are a good fit for students who can be responsible with them.

Make music education fun with Walmart Business

Once you have your checklist ready, Walmart Business can help. Our classroom collection helps teachers prepare for the coming school year and keep their students engaged.

Already have an account? Level up your savings with a Walmart Business+ membership. You’ll get free shipping,¹ free delivery from local stores on orders over $35² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards,³ letting you further invest in your classroom. That could add up to savings of over $500 a year!⁴ Click here to learn more.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).