With the summer quickly coming to a close and the new school year just around the corner, music teachers across the country will soon find themselves working long hours to make sure they’re entirely ready for the fall semester. Whether you’re instructing novice choral students or a leading a concert band, there’s no end to the amount of work to be done in preparation.

Fortunately, there are several simple things that teachers can do before September to help ensure a great school year. Next time you find yourself fretting about getting everything prepared in time, try using the following methods:

Complete Your Lesson Plan in Detail

If you’ve been putting off setting up your lesson plan for the school year, then now is the time to get your act into full gear. As always, feel free to focus on instructing your students to play classic compositions, but don’t forget to also do some research to get fresh ideas or discover new songs to add to your curriculum. You’ll find that your students are always more enthusiastic in learning how to play a song when it’s one they enjoy or appreciate.

Get Everything You Need Before the Semester Begins

While most teachers tend to buy all the supplies they need before the start of the school year, there are some music instructors out there that procrastinate and wait until the last minute to get their music books and other resources. However, it’s always a good idea to stock up on all curriculum sheet music, music stands, and extra accessories well before they’re needed. This includes seasonal music as well for later in the semester.

Reach Out to Parents and Students

If you are teaching students you haven’t had before, you may want to contact them and their parents before school starts. Sending a letter to introduce yourself is a really great way to establish a good teacher-student relationship early on and can go a long way to making your students more enthusiastic to be in your class.

Plan an Exciting First Week for Your Students

Do you remember the feeling of being a student and encountering a teacher that was actually excited to teach? If so, then you likely remember how even the first few days of his or her class were fun and interesting. Try to live up to that high standard yourself and make those first few sessions with your students something to remember. Plan activities to make a great first impression and really establish your classroom as a fantastic place to learn.