One of the best tools that I have discovered for music teachers is not necessarily a tool, but rather a fantastic resource. This site is called IMSLP, or International Music Source Library Project. This site contains almost all music that is public domain. It not only has the music, but it often has several different versions as well as transpositions to different keys. This is especially useful for vocal emphasis teachers because it is a great place to look for solos for singers and with the many different transpositions often available, you are more likely to find songs that work within the singer’s range.
Another great tool available for music teachers is GarageBand. This is a tool that many teachers and students are already familiar with because it comes standard on almost all Macs. This tool allows a wide variety of uses for arranging, composing, and more with music. It even allows you to incorporate videos that allow you or your students to create your very own film scores. It has a wide variety of pre-made loops that can help add to any track but if you prefer, you can play your own instruments and it will read what you play. Along those same lines, if you want to make a recording of a piece that requires several instruments but you only have one person, you can do each instrument part separately and then splice it altogether using the program.
