Building the Strongest Foundation for Your Band or Orchestra Program

Building the Strongest Foundation for Your Band or Orchestra Program

Presented at the 2016 Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference

Erin Cole, Tapp Middle School
Charles Laux, Kennesaw State University

Download Presentation Slides (PDF) Note:  Slides do NOT contain movie footage.

Outline:

• Quality Instruments
  1. Communicate with Parents
     1. Make recommendations
  2. Network with local vendors
     1. If parents must purchase online, steer them to reputable dealers

• Appropriate Sequencing
  1. Promotes strong foundation and positive practice habits
  2. Plan short term and long term
• Successful Classroom Procedures
  1. Have procedures for everything
  2. Be consistent
• Pacing
  1. Rapid, but not too quick so students are not lost or develop bad habits
  2. Good pacing reduces behavior problems
  3. Impacts motivation and retention
• Modeling
  1. One of the most effective teaching strategies
  2. Must hear characteristic tone quality
• Encourage participation
  1. Take Volunteers to play for the class
     • Promotes confidence
     • Promotes peer assessment

• Method Books
  1. Choose appropriate level
  2. Reinforce concepts from ensemble literature
  3. Supplement and customize your curriculum
• Fundamental Tone Development
  1. Band
     1. Balloons
     2. Mouthpiece buzzing
  2. Orchestra
     1. Reinforcing bow hand shape through exercises

• Ensemble Sound Development
  1. Chorales
  2. Lyrical warm-ups and exercise from method books
  3. Essential for the maturation of sound
• Assessment
  1. Informal and formal
  2. Peer
     1. Rubrics
     2. All-state score sheets
  3. Teacher
• Make Learning Fun
  1. Games, such as “Rhythm of the Week”
• Selecting Literature & Programming
  1. Backward design – start with the goal in mind
  2. Choose literature that:
     1. Allows students to learn fundamental techniques
     2. Reinforces skills

• Explores various genres, styles, composers, etc.

1. Challenge students without over-programming
2. Steer clear of the pieces with limited music making

1. Pop, Film, & Broadway
2. Themed concerts

• Fun to reinforce the fundamentals
  1. Band/Orchestra Karate
  2. Rewards
• Small Ensembles
  1. Strengthens fundamentals
  2. Provides different outlet for performances
  3. Motivates
• Make Home Practice Enjoyable
  1. Provide a “to do” list for guided practice
  2. Give tips on HOW to practice
  3. Keep students accountable with regular assessments
  4. Incorporate Technology
     1. Essential Elements Interactive – essentialelementsinteractive.com

• Learn From the Best!
  1. Regularly bring in visitors – composers, performers, conductors, etc.