A Different Approach in Music Education

A lesson plan to make a difference

MUE 2040 Dr. Schmidt January 3, 2014

Table of contents

Letter to Administration..3

Objectives....4

Methods...5

Lessons6

Song.7

Link to video8

January 3, 2014. Arne Duncan, The Secretary of the Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave. SW LBJ Education Building, 7W311 Washington DC 20202
Dear Mr. Duncan; Enclosed is my proposal to inform you how important music programs are to education and how we can use a new way to allow kids to become more musical and improve many skills. Many people believe that the Band or Choral classes only do three things such as preparing for Marching Band, FBA, and concerts. This is true in many schools and limits to what students are learning and how much their skill is improving. In Hialeah High school we do more than this and we wish for many schools to do as well. For each concert we allow students to prepare an arranged piece from a Film, Video game, or popular Pop songs by themselves with their peers. This allows students to be more engaged in class and have something more fun to do as well than the simple prepare a repertoire for the year. It allows students to engage in more chamber ensemble settings and also it develops compositional skills as well. This can also increase the numbers in programs and the talent being built in schools. This can also increase the musical value in schools. My research has led me to believe that music programs are underestimated when it comes to the education value. I spent a total of seven years being in a music program for public education. The best things I learned from it are responsibility, work ethics, and in order to get better on anything you have to put your time and effort into it. Even now I still play an instrument and I am currently majoring as a music educator so this type of lesson can increase the overall attitude and learning development in a music class room. Your involvement on this issue is much needed and can benefit public school education. Include is a further explanation to how this can benefit our classrooms and how it works specifically. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Jose

Objectives
Who can this work for? All levels ranging from elementary to high school can implement this type of lesson. Of course the earlier you start the more students will develop a stronger musical development. The earlier the better. How does this benefit the students? Students will be given the ability to express musicality without having a strict sense of musicianship. Understanding when creating or playing there is no wrong way. Encourages students to work with peers and give feedback to one another and learn others views on music. Develops a sense of ear training in a fun way. Students can learn to compose and arrange their own pieces. Develops leadership among students running the ensembles as teachers facilitate the class not teach. Students have fun doing something they want to do while improving improvisation, dictation, communication in ensemble and audience, and over all musicianship skills. Students will mix and learn different cultures.

Methods
Pre Lesson:
Before starting this lesson it is important to teach your students things such as Chords and Dictation. Of course once you get your students use to developing these skills then you can start throwing the fun part at them.

Introduction:

You can start informing your students that for each concert they would need to split up in groups to create their own arranged piece for the concert from a Video game, Film, or Popular song. It has to be totally original and they must learn the chords first and then use dictation to write out rhythms or their own version. Let them know it can be a different style such as a Jazz Version.

Constructive Criticism:

Students will then perform in front of each group every week to get feedback from different groups. This will develop more of a helping environment and let students learn from their mistakes and improve. Also it allows students to perform and get use to an audience while the teacher can record progress to see if they need help.

Teacher:

The Director is more of a facilitator then teacher in this environment. The goal is to allow students to learn from themselves and each other and develop their own dependent behavior. Now this doesnt mean the teacher cant help, it only means that teacher only should make sure time is being used wisely and only help if the student really needs it.

First time:

If it is your first time doing this or you feel your students will not be able to do this alone or understand, then you should give them a lesson how to. You would pick a song and then break it down from their and show them how you assigned which parts to what instrument and what chords are in the song. Then help them write the rhythm and then play it. Allow students to do some improvisation and allow students to use different instruments.

Lesson Introduction (First time until students are comfortable) Viva la Vida by Cold Play
1. Explain to students what they need to do for both concerts or even just as an assignment. Since it is the first time doing this tell them you will show them how to do this and then have them throw in what they want. 2. Have students form in to many groups. 3. Tell Students they can use any instrument they choose. 4. Pass out chords sheet with lyrics to each group. 5. Play the song to the students while following the lyrics. 6. Then have students figure out the bass or background parts. Guide them through steps. 7. Make sure each student whose playing the melody knows the chords they are playing and have the rhythm figured out as well. 8. Have each group play what they learned or figured out and allow students to give feedback. 9. Students will be given time to refine their work and improve or touch it up. 10. Allow students to perform again this time as the final performance than record the performances. 11. Have everyone watch the videos then point out the differences from the original and what was best from each group. 12. Have students play other arrangements. 13. Next have the students create their own version or style of the piece. 14. Once they are ready have them perform their new arranged version and have each student explain the style and why they chose it. 15. Repeat this process with other songs or scores until students are comfortable on doing it on their own.

Song
Viva La Vida by Cold Play
Chord Sheet with lyrics Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oncmL69ZEJ8 INTRO: C# - Eb - G# - Fm x2 (Fm) C# D# I used to rule the world G# Fm Seas would rise when I gave the word C# D# Now in the morning I sweep alone G# Fm Sweep the streets I used to own C# - D# - G# Fm x2 (Fm) C# D# I used to roll the dice G# Fm Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes C# D# Listen as the crowd would sing: G# Fm "Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!" (Fm) C# D# One minute I held the key G# Fm Next the walls were closed on me C# D# And I discovered that my castles stand G# Fm Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

C# D# I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing G# Fm Roman Cavalry choirs are singing C# D# Be my mirror, my sword, and shield G# Fm My missionaries in a foreign field C# D# For some reason I can't explain G# Fm C# D# Once you go there was never, never an honest word G# Fm That was when I ruled the world C# - D# - G# - Fm x2 C# D# It was the wicked and wild wind G# Fm Blew down the doors to let me in. C# D# Shattered windows and the sound of drums G# Fm People couldn't believe what I'd become C# D# Revolutionaries wait G# Fm For my head on a silver plate C# D# Just a puppet on a lonely string G# Fm Oh who would ever want to be king? C# D# I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

G# Fm Roman Cavalry choirs are singing C# D# Be my mirror, my sword, and shield G# Fm My missionaries in a foreign field C# D# For some reason I can't explain G# Fm I know Saint Peter will call my name , C# D# never an honest word G# Fm But that was when I ruled the world C# - Fm x3 D# x2 C# - D# - G# - Fm x2 (Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh) C# D# I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing G# Fm Roman Cavalry choirs are singing C# D# Be my mirror, my sword, and shield G# Fm My missionaries in a foreign field C# D# For some reason I can't explain G# Fm I know Saint Peter will call my name , C# D# never an honest word G# Fm But that was when I ruled the world C# - D# - G# - Fm and fading... Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh

Link to Video
Policy Brief: http://youtu.be/3O3j9hCbpNw
Please use this new lesson to make music more fun and allow your students to develop more musical skills.