NJACDA Elementary Discussion Notes

Hi all,

Here are the notes from the discussion last week. There were some great ideas put out there! Thank you so much to those of you who attended and contributed ideas. I plan to send a survey about professional development needs in a couple of months. I wanted everyone to have an opportunity to start the year and discover needs that they might not have realized they had. Good luck, everyone!

What are kids lacking in- what should we focus on

  • Sight-singing
  • Reading music
  • Following the score
  • Diction
    • Exercises for articulation 
  • Listening, critique and feedback 
  • Pose a question (Can you bring a song to share? What do you think we should work on next time?) 

Programs

  • Classical Movements concerts
  • Voces 8 teaching package (MS, HS) 
  • NJSO 
  • Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers and Learn with Carnegie Hall 

How to rehearse

  • You’re live vocal model, you conduct
  • The kids can record while they sing and then send the file!
  • Have kids share songs or sing portions of repertoire if they want to 

Perform

  • Choircreator.com

  • Virtual talent show

Other ideas

  • Applause videos – insert videos of audience applause between acts in virtual performances! 
  • Have composers or artists join your virtual meeting! Broadway, local music experts 
  • Karaoke Class (or club) 
  • Create community with games and conversation 
  • Social-Emotional Learning 

PD ideas

  • Best practices
  • Apps and extensions in the music room

Books and resources:

Teaching Music Online- Michelle Rose

https://fflat-books.com/product/teaching-music-online-a-comprehensive-guide-for-k-12-music-educators/

https://themusicalrose.com/teaching-music-virtually/

** Be on the lookout for a survey on professional development needs coming in November **

(I thought people might not know what they really need just yet, so giving everyone an opportunity to get the year going first and then we can revisit possible workshop ideas)