WEEDSPORT MUSIC INDUSTRY

Brian Franco Music Educator, Weedsport Central Schools francob@weedsport.org weedsportMI.com @musicfranco #ohhicrane
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MY TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
6th 7th 8th 6th

Grade General Music Grade General Music Grade General Music Grade Chorus School Chorus

Middle Music
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in our Lives

MUSIC IN OUR LIVES

A LOOK AT THE STUDENTS
Only 7

non-ensemble elective offered

students enrolled in class

All

had no plans/desire to pursue a career in music after high school themselves as non-musical

Viewed

and yet...
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A USEFUL VENN DIAGRAM

WHAT STUDENTS DO
Musical Things Most Students Do Outside of School Musical Things Students Do In School

Listen to music Talk about music Learn an instrument Make bands, perform Use music technology Write lyrics Write songs Go to concerts

Beatles?

Listen to me talk Learn dates, composers Rely on me for all instruction Play songs/genres I choose Learn/get confused about sonata form

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MUSIC IN OUR LIVES

A LOOK AT THE CLASS
Music

history on facts and dates

Emphasis Little

music making in the curriculum dismissed popular music

Largely

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STUDENT QUESTION:
How is this music in our lives??

Not actual student

(Is this reference outdated?)

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MY DILEMMA: AN ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION

Thanks Nick Jaworski! His online magazine: www.leadingnotes.org (writing is far superior to drawing skills)
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There is a time, place and audience for music history courses... however:

1. Was this really the best class to address those 80% of students not involved in school music?? a. Yes b. No

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Answer: b

MY PROPOSAL
Why We

Need It Foundation

Philosophical Resources How

to Implement

Assessment
*actual document 10 pages

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WHY WE NEED IT

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WHY WE NEED IT:

ARGUMENT I DONT LIKE
Math
Music
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WHY WE NEED IT:

ARGUMENT I DONT LIKE
Math Still ne

Now what?

I need to learn photoshop

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A SIMILAR SITUATION...
Physical Old

Education in the 1990s: on the ropes Curriculum sports (football, basketball) build teamwork, leadership, etc. etc. etc.!

Team-based Sports New

Curriculum group/individual sports (tennis, CC skiing) exercise routines, diet programs elective: Health and Human Performance (super popular)

Small

Wellness: yoga, creating New Weedsport

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WHY WE NEED IT
SOLID ARGUMENT
Music

is a necessity in our society and culture... not a supplement to other subject matter skills do we want students to retain in 20 years? musical skills are used in all styles and genres? Groups = Rock Bands = Songwriting

What What

Chamber

Composing Analysis
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= Critiques

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION

Education is life itself

John Dewey Constructivism

Papert/Harel Constructionism
The emphasis (of education) is on the learner as a maker of meanings.

Chard/Katz Project-Based Learning

A project, by denition, is a real-world topic worthy of a students attention and effort.

If you spell Bennett Reimer wrong in Google, you get this guy

Lucy Green Informal Learning

Music learning works best when young people are making music, and their existing passion for music is built upon in the classroom.
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Bennett Reimer Musicianship Roles

We are reminded that musical creation, if successful, is a way to love; a way to feel deeply, with passion, with directness.

Elliot Eisner Arts Assessment

What can we look for when assessing student artwork? ...technical quality... inventive use... expressive power.

RESOURCES
My promise to the board of education: Budget to create this course: $0*

*Teaching Tip: Good amount to ask for.

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RESOURCES

Electric Guitar

Electric Bass

Found in storage (score!)

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RESOURCES
10 eMacs: just lying around (With Garageband/Finale?!)

Asked friends for old instruments

Poor storage method

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RESOURCES
Grants! (8 instruments)

(Microphones, recording equipment)

State Funding!

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GET YOUR MOBILE BAR CODE SCANNERS READY!!

Thats right... interactive presentation.

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HOW TO IMPLEMENT

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THE WEBSITE!
My classroom... on opposite day

Shows that I get kids

Stop in and say hi! weedsportMI.com

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Music ed quotes = Board thinks youre legit

CURRICULUM MAP

Project-based class focusing on listening, creating and performance projects Students will reect regularly via blogs and class discussions Combination of interrelated short and long term projects

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THE INFORMAL LEARNING SLIDE

AKA Two ways to learn about your new computer 1. a. Realistic

2. b. Unrealistic

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THROWN INTO THE DEEP END

The Student

s e t i s b e Music W

Improv L

ab

Music

Leader

Students
Sweet swimming analogy!

Me!

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ASSESSMENT

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ASSESSMENT
What went well? How do I get a 100? Ability based? What needs improvement? Effort based? Why 6 points?

94

What is the student learning from this grade?

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ASSESSMENT
Goal: To help improve student musicianship, shape thinking and know more deeply their musical understanding.

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ASSESSMENT
Weedsport Music Industry Melody Project Musicianship Role: Creator Band: R33k Havic Members: Ricky, Biz, Caitlin (Erica in spirit)

94

Song #3! Title: State of Emergency Technical Quality (4/5) Inventive Use (5/5) Expressive Power (4/5)
Us e

p Ex siv res

en

Right off the bat, the title grabs your attention. Way to set it apart from every other breakup song in the world. Bass and piano did not line up, particularly that little bass run from the F to A minor chord. Now that you are writing your own music, creating parts that mesh together is crucial. Creative, dark and funny lyrics. Melody is laid back and easy to listen to. The see you sucker line is great, but doesnt keep the song in time. Think about how to improve this. Very nice work!

tive

eP ow

Inv

er

Technical Quality

Eisner Dodecagon proved too confusing to students

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Suggestions: Work on creating instrumental parts that mesh together and compliment one another. Make sure your lyrics dont drop the momentum of your song. Credit Received: Full

WHAT THE YEAR LOOKS LIKE

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MUSICAL UNIVERSE/5 FAVORITE SONGS PROJECTS (LISTENER)

The song Good Day by The Dresden Dolls is easily one of my favorite songs. The unique part about The Dresden Dolls is that its a band made up of only two people, Amanda Palmer and Brian Vigilione, and they play all the instruments in their recordings, but live they only use a piano and drums. Everything from the way the intro sounds like an old record skipping to the chorus, God its been a lovely day, everythings been going my way to Amanda Palmer pounding on her piano during the verse and then getting quieter when she has a line she really wants to deliver. This song really helped me out during a tough break up and seeing thats what she wrote this song about it was just really easy to relate to. The part of the song that always gives me chills is when its just Amanda, her piano and Brian, the drummer, smashing plates in the background while Amanda sings Ive picked up the pieces of my broken ego. I have nally made my peace as far as you and me go. When it escalates into Amanda pounding on her piano and Brian slowly coming in with the drums while she sings Id like to do more than survive, Id like to rub it in your face. This line always empowers me to be the best that I can be and not let anything get into my way. I recommend this piece to everyone that asks me who The Dresden Dolls are or who asks me why I admire Amanda Palmer so much.

-Excerpt from Kaylee

Technical Quality Inventive Use Expressive Power

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INTRODUCTION TO GARAGEBAND (CREATOR)

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THE BAND PROJECT (PERFORMER)

All Beginners
What Ive Done Originally by Linkin Park Covered by Epsilon Lianna, piano/vocals* Karleen, guitar/vocals* Becca, bass* Davianna, drums*

Mixed Abilities
How to Save a Life Originally by The Fray Covered by Written on Paper Kathleen, guitar/lead vocals Maddie, piano/vocals* Kaylee, bass/vocals* Alicia, drums

*Student began playing instrument on September 14th Performances on October 11th

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STUDENT BLOGS
Some may believe that my greatest accomplishment this week was learning and memorizing the first 5 pages of my piano part. While I think this is very good, I beg to differ. According to me, my greatest accomplishment was regaining my love of the piano. All I want to do lately is play play play. During my lunch periods I come in to play, I stay 10th and play, and I even play at home while I'm supposed to be doing my homework. Which is not good because then I stay up until midnight doing homework, but that is besides the point...Don't tell my mom I stay up till 12 though....LOL. I think this is the best thing that has happened to me this week because being able to play the piano shows that I am an all around person-I'm more than just my sports. I want everyone else who comes in contact with me to be able to know that as well.

-Biz

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THE FINAL PRODUCT...

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THE MUSIC VIDEO PROJECT (CREATOR)

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QUESTIONS?

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THANKS!
Brian Franco Music Educator, Weedsport Central Schools francob@weedsport.org weedsportMI.com @musicfranco #ohhicrane
Monday, November 12, 12