1. Not Just Another Ensemble: Social Music Making in MS General
Music Malinda W. Essex, Ph.D. [email protected]
2. What is Social Music Making? Join in (with or without words)
when youre able! El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido! -
Quilapayun
3. What Is Social Music Making? What characteristics made this
easy to learn and sing along? What would the purpose of this song
be?
4. But whats wrong with ensembles??? NOTHING! As music
educators we are excellent at creating high-performing ensembles
With high-performing students Who get into high-performing schools
of music And become high-performing music educators
5. Circularity Charles Leonhard Auditioning Candidate Dictated
by admission requirements of institution Pre-Service Teacher
Prepared by curriculum of institution Practicing Teacher Wants to
inspire new music teachers Prepares possible teachers to meet
admission requirements Student Wants to be music teacher Must work
to meet admission requirements of institution
6. But what about those outside the circle? Commonly referred
to as The Other 80% Carlos Abril and Ken Alpus (JRME, 2011) Only
21% of H.S. Seniors participate in school music ensembles Male,
ELL, low income, and students whose parents have a HS diploma or
less were significantly underrpresented Music for All?
7. The Shrinking Circle Traditional Programs Restructured
Schools/ Schedules Charter Schools
8. How do we EXPAND the circle and our reach? EXPAND NOT
REPLACE Offer more opportunities for creating music and reaching
more students Authentic music making Social music making Contextual
learning
9. SO NOW WHAT? In our perfect, musical world . Jam sessions
Garage Band Sing-A-Longs Drum Circles But then someone comes along
and wants to us to post a measurable objective, track student
growth, etc., etc., etc.
10. Can we do it all?? YES! Units created to Establish a base
of musical knowledge Engage students in performing in an authentic
way Challenge students to create their own music and musical
interpretations All while Getting students to make music alone and
together Creating a musical community in your classroom and
school
11. Conversations In Music Connect typical conversations with
musical conversations From Question & Answer to Call &
Response What kind? Mimic or constant? Rhythmic Compositions Music
Videos Assessment Rhythmic composition and performance
Group/Individual work in Video Production Call & Response
knowledge
12. Blues 12 Bar Blues AAB Lyric Pattern Chord Progression
History of Blues Country Blues, Classic Blues, City Blues Playing
the Blues on ukulele/guitar Assessment Blues Brochure 12 Bar Blues
on Uke
13. Music From The Depression What was The Great Depression
& Dust Bowl? What role did music play? Woody Guthrie play on
ukulele Do Re Mi Dust Bowl Blues This Land Is Your Land
14. Music From The Depression Era Aaron Copland Notate and play
intro Fanfare For The Common Man Kate Smith Play on uke (picking)
or other melodic instrument God Bless America Assessment Playing
Comparing and contrasting musics purpose and audience
15. National Anthem Debate History of National Anthem and
ongoing debate America The Beautiful God Bless America Star
Spangled Banner Analyze for range, meter, length, amount of
repetition, message of text (Assessment) Play/Sing Argumentative
Essay to choose one for Natl Anthem (Assessment)
16. Creating Community Ongoing questions: Who? Where? Purpose?
What do people do as they create music in community? Musical
Characteristics? Why are certain musical characteristics important
for creating music in community?
17. Creating Community Intro Where do people do music together?
Brainstorm individually Share/compile WHY do people do music
together? Is there a difference between doing music together and
listening/watching music together
18. Creating Community 9/11 Sporting Events Turn Up Songs
Traditions Causes Protests Civil Rights Benefits
19. Creating Community Entertainment Songs that invite you to
sing along Other Cultures Sporting events National Anthems Create
Community In Your School Assessments: Performances and Poster
