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Name: Jeff
Burkett Email:
Burkett@epix.net Art Form: Instrumental
Music Grade Level(s) 9
&endash; 12 As educators we
should start to expand our student's knowledge to not just
be creators/performers of different styles of the arts but
to be exposed to the historical background as well. The
proposed standard 9.2 is a great vehicle to help formulate
ideas in this area. To include these areas
in ones plan course will "fill the gap" in student's minds
as to where this style came from and how it fits into the
whole realm of music history. The more the student
understands about the background of an art form helps in the
total outcome of the performance. The following are
strategies that I utilize in my course of
study: 1. Lesson book
materials for individual or group instruction 2. Literature for
small and large ensembles 3. Computer assisted
accompaniment tracks (Smart Music) 4. Live performance
opportunities 5. Recording studio to
make individual and group recordings 6. Use of the
internet The following are
strategies that I need to explore and expand
on: 1. Correlating my
curriculum more with the History and Literature
areas 2. Getting students to
compare and contrast more music styles, genres, and musical
elements In my weekly
instrumental lesson groups in high school I have gone away
from the old routine of working on band literature for the
major portion of the lesson. I have developed through the
use of the series books "Standard of Excellence" and
"Essential Elements" to expand on the historical background
of particular pieces. These books are full of songs and
etudes from many eras composed throughout the world.
Students are exposed to not just the written notes but facts
about each selection. Also I have gone to researching about
each selection we are playing in large ensembles. We analyze
and compare each selection and discuss the historical facts
of how it fits into the music timeline. I have also
included in the concert situations a historical background
in the program read by a member of the band before the
selection is performed. A strategy that I am
currently working to improve on is to correlate my program
more with the History/Literature areas in the school. I
have gone through their individual course curricula and am
working at trying to have small group ensembles or the band
work on appropriate time period selections to help tie us
together. Another area I will
work towards, in the future, is to expand on the area of
Pennsylvania composers. I will have to research into
finding more literature written for "bands of the past"
composed by area composers.