Music Class à la “Cart”

The fall of 2020 brought a great many challenges to our elementary music community. Due to social distancing and safety concerns, many of our teacher friends found themselves in the new situation of the “mobile classroom.” We knew this would be a first-time endeavor for many, and even if it wasn’t it was still a major deviation from what their year normally looked like. Teachers already had enough on their plate, and now they must teach from a cart too? What kind of cart? What should I include on my cart? How do we actually do this? West Music heard the call for support from the music educator community, and we started brainstorming.

We listened, we interviewed, we questioned, we tested, and tested again. We wanted to create an easy and affordable option that fit your needs and equipped you with the appropriate tools to continue being an amazing teacher even during a tough year. So, we partnered with two great music teachers to help with the process of finding the right cart, resources, and products. In addition to being fantastic teachers, these two are also Educational Architects for our dear friends at Music ConstructED.

Meet Kate Hagen and Sarah Fairfield! These two spent many hours helping us craft a great solution for everyone teaching from a cart this year. They provided a list of instruments and props that they will be using on their own carts this year. Check out our recommendations below!

Our Favorite Products

Everything listed below will fit on a single cart! If a single item is listed, the recommended quantity is one. Otherwise, we have included the recommended quantities.

What’s on your cart? Leave comments below!

Our Favorite Cart

West Music 3-Tiered Cart, 40″ x 20″ x 38″

This cart is a heavy-duty and affordable option for music teachers on the go.

• Easy-to-clean shelves are 11 3/8″ apart
• Easily cleaned using household disinfecting cleaning products
• Ergonomic push handles
• Pivots quickly and smoothly
• 4″ quiet rubber casters
• Easy to assemble instructions included
• 40″L x 20″W x 38″H
• Handles firmly screw into the cart.

Our Favorite Tips for Mobile Teaching

Check out this great article by our friends at Music ConstructED! Danielle Ingram, of Music On A Cart, shares her ABCs on teaching from a cart.

The ABCs of Navigating Music on a Cart

Danielle Ingram

In these current times of COVID-19, some music educators returning to in-person teaching find they are now teaching on a cart. Adapting to teach music moving from room to room can be challenging, but not impossible! Here’s an “ABC” rundown of some ways you can plan and prepare, rather than panic.