Concert Band First Performance Song: A Music Technology Integration Lesson Plan (Grades 9-12)

1. Concert Band First Performance Song:
A Music Technology Integration Lesson Plan
Name: David Kramer
Date: 4-29-16
Lesson Title: Concert Band First Performance Song
Grade Level: 9-12
Technology Standards (NETS-
S)
Communication and collaboration: Students use digital media and
environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including
learning at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to
the learning of others.
Technology operations and concepts: Students demonstrate a
sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations
(ISTE Standards for Students, n.d.).
Subject Area/Content Standard:
Music: High School Beginner to Intermediate Concert Band
Standards-Based Curriculum for Music:
Artistic perception
Creative expression
Historical and cultural context
Aesthetic value
Connections, Relationships, Applications (All Curriculum Frameworks,
n.d.)
Technology tool/software: Mac or PC Computer / SmartMusic web software
Preparation
Prerequisites:
Students must have experience playing at least one concert instrument at a beginner to intermediate
level. Prior student experience in their musical instrument consists of participation in middle school band,
private lessons, or group lessons. Student must have the ability to read music at a beginner level on a
concert band instrument. Various categories of band instruments include woodwinds, keyboards, brass,
strings, and percussion.
Context:
This lesson comes into play once the students in class have been assigned their instrument for the
semester. The students at this point in the unit would have experience in using the web software called
SmartMusic and would have an individual account. A SmartMusic account and use of its web tools allow
music teachers to assign students songs, assist students in reading notes, assist with learning songs by
ear, and allows digital instructor feedback of student recordings. The program gives students visual and
audio examples that help students improve their performance of the instrument.

2. Vocabulary:
The students will enhance their music vocabulary in reading traditional sheet music, enhance their
vocabulary pertaining to their musical instrument, and be introduced to vocabulary concerning music
technology.
Materials:
The students must rent or borrow their concert instrument for the class performances. The school
provides brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, and percussion instruments. Optional instruments for this
lesson would include keyboard or guitar although these are not used in all concert bands. Students
ideally would access their SmartMusic account at home and if not, they will be required to print out any
sheet music materials gathered online. SmartMusic works with music literature called Sound Innovations
by Alfred Music. The repertoire in Sound Innovations is the music book that students would use when not
working with the technological software. A specific room for band is required with a layout large enough
for a concert band. There should be practice rooms available for student use. Each student would need
a music stand for class performances.
Objectives and Learner Outcomes
General Goal(s):
The goal of this assignment is to have a beginner/intermediate concert band perform their first song
together as a class. Students will develop beginner skills in accessing sheet music and practice
exercises through the education software SmartMusic in order to improve the band’s first performance.
Specific Performance-Based Objectives:
Students are expected to be able to perform their first concert band song as a full class in order to
complete the lesson. Students are expected to be able to read and perform music on their assigned
instrument. Students are expected to learn their instrumental part of the composition assigned in class.
Anticipatory Set
Anticipatory Set:
The students will be able to discuss what song they would like to perform as their first composition of the
semester. The students will pick the song after the teacher presents the SmartMusic software and Sound
Innovations songbook literature. An example will be shown on a projection screen or smart board
showing students how to access SmartMusic using their student account. The students will be shown
how the software helps students with performance practice of their instrument. The teacher will pick an
instrument to perform with while interacting with SmartMusic during this class activity.

3. Step-By-Step Procedures
Instruction:
1. The students will take their class seat with their musical instrument and sheet music from Sound
Innovations and SmartMusic.
2. The students will all tune their instruments.
3. The teacher takes position on the podium and tells the students that the class will start the piece.
4. The students perform the song while the instructor acts as conductor of the class.
5. The teacher provides brief verbal feedback on how the class performed the tune and gives feedback
on what can improve in the performance.
6. The students perform the song again based on the instructor’s verbal feedback.
7. The class reviews the SmartMusic software as a class and a demonstration is given on how the
instructor can provide feedback to individual musicians through the software.
8. The students are shown how to record their musical part into SmartMusic for instructor feedback.
Instruction should be given on how to record with the program using a computers built-in microphone.
9. The class is given a chance to ask the instructor any questions pertaining to the SmartMusic
application and Sound Innovations music literature.
10. Students are assigned to record their part into SmartMusic. For students who do not have access to
a computer at home, a computer should be provided for use before or after school.
Guided Practice:
The students engage with the SmartMusic computer software to aid them in practicing their song
repertoire and musical scales. Students should be given a practice area to rehearse outside of class.
Students will be asked if they are having particular difficulties in playing their instrument and the teacher
will guide them on the necessary actions to improve their performance.
Lesson Extension (gifted students):
Students who are gifted will be assigned a higher-level performance part that may be accessed through
SmartMusic and Sound Innovations. Gifted students will also be assigned optional scales and music
exercises to practice as homework.
Adaptations (For Students With Learning Disabilities):
By using SmartMusic, students with visual impairments and students with reading disabilities can learn
their music parts by ear. In normal band situations, students usually can only hear how the song sounds
as a whole once the band is rehearsing in class. With SmartMusic, students can practice along with the
backing tracks provided in the program. This engages students that may have a short attention span and
gives students extra practice time when needed. If a parent or caregiver is helping a student with a
disability, SmartMusic’s digital messaging provides a great way of communication with the teacher.
Connections (to other subjects)
This assignment connects music performance to the academic subject of web-based technology. In this
assignment, the students additionally develop beginner to intermediate use of music technology and
computer music. Practicing musical scales and reading music has links to mathematics through counting,
rhythm, scales, time signatures, and aspects of music theory. The song chosen by the class as their first
performance piece can also be discussed in a historical context.

4. Independent Practice
Independent Practice:
The student ideally practices his or her instrument for 30 minutes to an hour per day outside of class.
The students work independently at performance improvement in conjunction with the use of the tools
provided in SmartMusic.
Closure
Reflection on Anticipatory Set:
By having the students choose their first song and perform the song successfully, the students will have
interest sparked in their appreciation of music. The students will have experience playing an instrumental
piece together in class and will have motivation to improve and add more songs to their repertoire. The
students can transfer the use of musical instruments and music technology from this lesson plan into
learning future songs, scales, and music exercises assigned by the instructor. The purpose of the lesson
is to provide concert band students with their first song and gives them the necessary tools to learn new
songs at a faster pace. Once students are proficient in performing songs as a group, they can participate
in school events such as an assembly game rally.
‘

5. Lesson Evaluation

6. References
All Curriculum Frameworks. (n.d.). Retrieved May 01, 2016, from
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/allfwks.asp
ISTE Standards for Students. (n.d.). Retrieved May 01, 2016, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/ISTE-standards/standards-for-students