Lesson 3 - Applied Conducting

Author: Dustin Summey  12/02/2003 07:06:00 PM CST		 TaskStream - Advancing Educational Excellence

VITAL INFORMATION
Grade/Level:
8-12
 
Subject(s):
Music
 
Standards:
USA- NAME- Music Education Standards
National Association for Music Education
• Grade : Grades 9-12
From "National Standards for Arts Education". Copyright © 1994 by Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Used by permission. The complete National Arts Standards and additional materials relating to the Standards are available from MENC -- The National Association for Music Education, 1806 Robert Fulton Drive, Reston, VA 20191.
• Content Standard 6: Content Standard: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
• Level of Achievement : Proficient
 Achievement Standard a: analyze aural examples of a varied repertoire of music, representing diverse *genres and cultures, by describing the uses of elements of music and expressive devices 1
 Achievement Standard b: demonstrate extensive knowledge of the technical vocabulary of music
 Achievement Standard c: identify and explain compositional devices and techniques used to provide unity and variety and tension and release in a musical work and give examples of other works that make similar uses of these devices and techniques
 
Objective(s):
Students will be able to conduct a recording of a march-style piece and will be able to conduct the National Anthem by leading a vocalist or vocal group.

Students will understand the routine for the drum major audition to be held after completion of the unit.
 
IMPLEMENTATION
Set:
A drum major must be able to conduct a musical group in circumstances where the musicians follow the lead of the drum major (ex. National Anthem) and in circumstances where the drum major must follow the lead of another drum major, a recording, or another source of lead (ex. the recorded piece).

An effective conductor can go beyond basic conducting patterns and add gestures of expression and musical cues.
 
Learning Activities/Time Required:
Begin on the marching field.

3 minutes - Get on track with the lesson. Gather the students into a group.

10 minutes - Practice marching fundamentals.

10 minutes - Practice conducting the recorded piece. Discuss extra conducting gestures that could be added to the basic pattern.

10 minutes - Practice conducting the National Anthem as it is sung by the instructor. Spend extra time on preparatory beats and cutoffs.

10 minutes - Introduce and run through the routine for the drum major audition to be held after the completion of the unit.

2 minutes - Assign Homework (personal practice time) and dismiss.
 
Closure:
Restate topics covered in lesson. Assign 15 minutes of personal practice time for homework. Advise students that schedule is tight; therefore, personal practice is of utmost importance. Dismiss students.
 
Resources and Unit Handouts:
  • Materials and resources:
    CD Recording of march-style piece.

    Recordings of National Anthem and march-style piece also available online at the unit's web site.
  • Technology resources:
    Portable CD Player (Boom Box)
  • Students who do not have access to the Internet away from school can use a classroom computer or a school computer lab during their own time if they desire to explore the unit's web site.
 
Grouping for Instruction:
All students will be together in one group during all activities. An exception may be made if there are other band auxiliary groups training during the same time frame, in which case the groups may be combined during the marching fundamentals activities.
 
Adaptations / Modifications / Interventions:
Marching activities may be held on a grass or paved marching field.
 
Technology Integrated:
A portable CD player (Boom Box) will be used to play the recorded piece that the students will conduct.
 
ASSESSMENT
Assessment Activity:
Students will be assessed by personal observation of the instructor. The instructor will work individually with students needing extra help if necessary.
 
Expectations for Performance:
Students who have a basic understanding of keeping a beat, following a beat, and conducting with expression should be able to conduct a piece where they are in the lead and conduct a piece where they are following another lead. Students should be able to add gestures of expression and musical cues while conducting in the above circumstances.
 
Assessment/Rubrics:
Assessment for lesson three will consist of personal observation by the instructor and reference to the unit's rubric.
 
Reflection: