May 07 2009
What if you could start a music program from scratch?
I get to shake it up and start from scratch with a new elementary music program. Give me your list of must have items to create a great K-5 general and instrumental music program from ground zero.
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What a great thing for you – you get to be the one to establish the future of music education at the school. A terrific, lasting legacy.
First thing I would do is have a talk with the principal to see what his/her idea of music education was for the school and what role the music teacher was to play (no pun intended). As you know, without the support of administrators and classroom teachers, a music program has many barriers to hurdle before effectively teach the kids (which has enough hurdles all by itself).
I’m so glad that you are posting this asking for help – it shows that you won’t forget to think about the future music teachers (and their students) who will follow you in that job who may/may not be into the same methods/areas of teaching music education as you.
I hope it works well for you as students are depending upon it.
Yo Pendergrass, Paul from View Ridge here!
Here’s what I’ve gotta have…
1. Space.
2. Tech: Sibelius music software, digital projector (we take those for granted), smart board (I hate the dry/erase boards…I use the term erase loosely), Garageband.
3. Keyboard lab. I didn’t think I would like View Ridge’s as much as I do. With a lot a structure it can be a great way to write music. I’d love to move it to M-audio USB keyboards and flat screens though…
4. Good scheduling: 30 minute classes, once a week for general, twice a week for instrumental – all school year (would be my dream).
5. Sheet music organization. I’m horrible about organizing my instrumental sheet music (and being specific about what we are working on each instrumental class). Next year I plan to give all second year students their music, hole-punched, and put in binders with CDs of the tunes, practice logs, the lesson and performance schedule, and what/when they are supposed to be practicing certain things. I guess I might want to take a deposit…
Later!
Paul-
These are all great ideas! Thanks for the comment. I really like #5. That is a great idea. I think as music teachers (and art teachers) we have a relentless amount of stuff to deal with…I’m always looking for practical ways to deal with the mounds of stuff I just pile up on my desk. I’ll keep you posted on what happens next.
Wow, what a great opportunity.
1. I don’t know which software you are more familiar with, but I just got Finale 2009 and am very impressed. It even comes with garage band built in.
2. I agree with Ted’s comment about setting up for the future. With that said, here’s a couple of ideas of things I like: Orff instruments (even if you aren’t a full on Orff person you will still have lots of use for them), BoomWhackers (full set), lot’s of Latin Percussion, a classroom set of recorders. These are really basic essentials, but you might want a drum, steal drum or marimba ensemble. The things listed above can be a good first step towards these grander activities.
3. Text ideas: The Silver Berdette 2008 series is impressive. For the beginning band kids I really like the Essential Elements 2000 series (it’s sequential, gets the kids reading rhythms right away, and utilizes lots of reinforcement). Also, keep a Norton anthology and CD’s or something comparable on hand for those history lessons. If you have a projector you can get a lot of use of Encarta Encyclopedia (even the online version), but be careful, it leaves out a lot of information and isn’t always appropriate viewing for the elementary classroom.
4. Audio: In addition to a composition lab, should you be so lucky, you’ll want a mobile PA system, electronic keyboard and amp for community performances. Also some sort of digital recording set up and a CD burning that burns multiple copies at once would be nice.
5. Fun Idea: I have my third through sixth graders keep a notebook full of standards-based prompts that are used as anticipatory activities at the beginning of most lessons. At the end of each term I take all of the concepts that students have worked on and play a game of musical Jeopardy. It’s a great way to check for areas in need of reinforcement.
6 Storage: you’ll want lots of cabinet space and shelving for instrument, and music storage, hopefully you will have nice big room to work with.
7. Budget: Really push for the year to year purchasing of new music so future teachers can have a library they can supplement as the years go by instead of trying to beg, borrow and steal to put together a concert.
Have fun!
Bagpipes. Lots and lots of bagpipes!
Oh, and accordians too…
Wow! That is very exciting! Here’s what I got.
1. Video and Audio recording equipment. M-Audio has a little hand held microtrack audio recorder that works well and hooks up to the computer. The students are highly motivated to create and perform when they know they will be listening or watching their progress.
2. Quality stereo system. Along with the stereo, you will need a couple of microphones and an iPod. Store all your music on your iPod and play it through the stereo. Kids can also bring in their iPods and mp3 players to share music with you. As for the microphones… you just never know what will come out of a kid when they have access to a microphone.
3. Percussion instruments: Hand Drums, Tubanos, maracas, claves, shakers, etc. The kids can create fantastic rhythms that are beyond their music reading levels and learn to play as an ensemble.
4. Melodic Instruments: Students will always enjoy watching you play the piano, or playing the piano for you. Bell sets, xylophones, and hand chimes allow the kids to experiment with scales, chords, and create ostinatos, melodies, etc. Which can then be recorded on your audio and video equipment.
5. Music Technology: Super Duper Music Looper is really easy for ALL the students to use, even Kindergarten. The kids love all the loops and enjoy adding their own recordings into their songs. It’s also only $15-$20.
And don’t underestimate the power of one computer hooked up to a T.V. and YouTube.
Have fun! I look forward to hearing how your new music program turns out!
Hi Ken,
I agree with the suggestions about getting SPACE and a SCHEDULE. Most elementary schools don’t have a dedicated music room, so be prepared to be mobile and compact! And with the schedule, be prepared to negotiate with classroom teachers. Some teachers will be very… shall we say, “protective” about when their students can and cannot leave class.
IMHO, before you spend the big bucks on hi-tech equipment, get a decent set of percussion equipment and sheet music library.
For percussion, you’ll need at least a snare drum and bass drum, then cymbals, then handheld accessories like a tambourine, triangle, shakers, etc. (And don’t forget the sleigh bells for those Winter Concerts!)
When building your sheet music library, start with collections like Essential Elements Concert Favorites, Standard of Excellence First Performance, or if you’re a little more optimistic, the Queenwood Band collections.
Good luck!
First thing I would certainly do is to use Music Teachers Helper, a software that helps me a lot in managing my studio, handling everything from billing and lesson schedules, to communication and tax reports.
Next is to set up a good video and audio recording equipment.
I’m in the process of doing that right now for a brand new HS. There are too many things to list. I’ve been at it for some months now and new stuff pops up every day.