Episode #119: Planning Programs, Concerts, and Informances

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Upcoming Events!

Come see Carrie and Tanya at these upcoming workshops and events!

Carrie and Tanya will be presenting "Kodály 101 for the 21st Century Teacher" in Fargo, ND

Carrie and Tanya will be presenting "Building Relationships and Community in the Music Classroom with Songs, Games, and Activities to Kick-Start the Year" in Anchorage, AK

Carrie will be presenting "Keep them singing! Keep them playing!" in Seattle, WA

Carrie and Tanya will be presenting "Kodály 101 for the 21st Century Teacher" in Fort Collins, CO

Main Theme: Planning Programs, Concerts, and Informances

Now is the time to create new traditions and expectations around performances at your school. In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk about their plans for this year and ideas for planning teacher-created programs, concerts, and informances rather than relying on pre-packaged programs and musicals. Here are some ideas to consider:

Concerts: Create a concert of music tied together by a theme such as:
  • Seasonal (ie: fall or spring)
  • Social Studies or Geography (ie: Colorado)
  • Science unit (ie: weather)
  • Music! Create a concert that includes songs, instruments, movement that students are doing daily in class. No theme necessary!
Teacher-made Musicals: Create your own musicals using songs and activities you are already doing in class. Here are some resources that you can use to get started:
  • Picture books (ie: The Mitten, Brown Bear What Do You See?, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Where the Wild Things Are)
  • Printed reader's theater resource. Look in your school's literacy curriculum for pre-made scripts you can add music to.
  • Folktales (ie: Little Red Hen, Bremen Town Musicians)
  • Write your own original story! Tie together songs students are working on in class with a script you create from scratch.
Informances: Create a more informal experience where families can see what students are doing in your class and participate along with your students! Here are some informances we've done:
  • Singing games night
  • Music class demonstration
  • Folk dance night
Want more ideas? Check out a past Music Teacher Coffee Talk episode where we talk about more ideas for performances:

Know Better, Do Better

When discussing a specific region of the world in music class, it can be very helpful and engaging to pull up either Google Maps or Google Earth and literally focus in on a specific place where that particular music comes from. Students enjoy seeing where that place is compared to other regions they might be familiar with and make connections that way. You can also see the topography of the area which can lead to better understanding and fun discussions.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Tanya recommends including songs now in your music class that you will eventually use in a performance later in the year. These are songs that can relate to a rhythmic or melodic concept now, and then you can dress up for a concert later. For example, Tanya is using the song I Love the Mountains now to practice partwork through ostinati and singing in a canon, and then that song will be a part of her Colorado Concert this year.

Coda

Carrie recommends the Elementary GrooveTracks YouTube channel for great rhythm play along videos, especially when leaving videos for subs.

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