2015 IMEA Presentation

1. Not Just Another Ensemble:
Social Music Making in MS General Music
Malinda W. Essex, Ph.D.
mindy.essex@gmail.com

2. What is Social Music
Making?
Join in (with or without words)
when you’re 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 what’s 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 music’s 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 Nat’l 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