team building techniques for any ensemble jessica fredricks, trst fine arts coach, polk county...
TRANSCRIPT
TEAM BUILDING TECHNIQUES FOR ANY ENSEMBLE
Jessica Fredricks, TRST Fine Arts Coach, Polk County Schools
Kelley Cunningham, music specialist, McKeel Academy Central
WE’RE CURIOUS…• Who teaches elementary?
• Who teaches middle school?
• Who teaches high school?
• Who teaches a choral ensemble?
• Who teaches an instrumental ensemble?
THE PULSE• Pulse = foundation = values of your ensemble
• What is the purpose of your ensemble?
• Is it just to perform?
• What other goals do you have for your students?
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
• Research shows that team building is a critical part of any group
• Team building helps build student leadership
• Why do your students join ensembles?
WHAT ARE YOU ALL ABOUT?
• Team building is about resilience
• Self-esteem, social skills, social connections, emotional control
• How does your ensemble react when things go wrong?
• Intention is everything
THE BASIC: BP• Pass out parts, get them focused on grooving together
• Cut-off, bring your groove back, girls, boys, claps, stomps, loud, soft…
• Q: what musical benefits were part of that exercise?
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LISTENING IS A CHOICE. WHEN I LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE MORE THAN MYSELF, I KNOW HOW TO RESPOND AND SUPPORT THEM IN A BETTER WAY.
Victor Wooten, The Music Lesson
FILL THE SPACE• Equal parts sound and silence
• Listen to what others are saying
• Leave space for others to contribute
• #1: whole group
• #2: in teams of 2….
• Musical benefits?
THE EYES HAVE IT• We need some volunteers…..choose an instrument!
• How did that feel?
• Was there a time when the pulse was shaky?
• Did we recover? Why or why not?
• Vocal demo (different people)
• Musical benefits?
CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING
• Reading music off a page = following directions = life skill
• We also want kids to innovate and create, not just imitate
• Group Jam Guidelines: Listen, Leave Space, Respond intelligently
• Parameters: What can I contribute to the group song that supports the group while still leaving space for others to contribute?
• Come grab an instrument; or use body percussion or voice
• What musical benefits will your students get from this?
OTHER IDEAS• Imagine your voice is a drum; Vocal Improvisation!
• Imagine your movements are sounds; silent improvisation with movement
• Teams of 6-8 students; with central pulse, and without
• The Rhythm Machine
QUESTIONS• How do you see this working in your ensemble?
• What challenges do you anticipate?
• How could you adapt this for instruments (xylophone, ukulele, guitar, band, strings)?
THANK YOU!
Jessica Fredricks Kelley Cunningham
TRST Fine Arts Coach Music specialist
Polk County Public Schools McKeel Academy Central
863-585-5595
www.PlayWellWithOthers.org