Flexible and differentiated ensemble lessons for mixed instrumentation!
Unmatched flexibility for both traditional in-person instruction or remote teaching and learning!
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Video: Intro to the UNITED concept
Video: Differentiated cales and technical studies
Video: An approach to encouraging rhythmic playing and articulation
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COLOR and LEVEL KEY:
GREEN - (Grade 1.5)
BLUE - (Grade 2 - 2.5)
RED - (Grade 3)
GOLD - (Grade 3.5+)
Video: Exploring melodic playing and self-assessment
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LESSONS AND SHEETS TO BE RELEASED WEEKLY:
Lesson 1.1
Lesson 1.1 released week of March 23, 2020
Key - Concert B♭ Major
Meter - 4/4
Meter - 4/4
Audio, Score* and Parts by level (note: score is in concert pitch and written to emulate a chamber group)
CONCERT SCORE
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GREEN PARTS
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BLUE PARTS
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RED PARTS
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GOLD PARTS
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Lesson 2.1
Lesson 2.1 released week of March 30, 2020
Key - Concert F Major
Meter - 4/4
Meter - 4/4
Audio, Score* and Parts by level (note: score is in concert pitch and written to emulate a chamber group)
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CONCERT SCORE
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GREEN PARTS
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BLUE PARTS
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Lesson 2.2
Lesson 2.2 released week of March 30, 2020
Key - Concert F Major
Meter - 2/2
Meter - 2/2
Audio, Score* and Parts by level (note: score is in concert pitch and written to emulate a chamber group)
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CONCERT SCORE
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GREEN PARTS
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BLUE PARTS
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RED PARTS
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GOLD PARTS
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About UNITED:
UNITED was originally designed as a group lesson or ensemble activity book that inspires progress in fundamentals and allows for differentiated instruction. It can ALSO be used for remote learning projects and small group Zoom lessons providing maximum flexibility for music educators.
Students are assigned to a color level based on their playing ability (green, blue, red, or gold). Each activity page is written in one key and one time signature for all levels and highlights three types of exercises (A. Scale/Technical Study, B. Rhythm/Articulation, C. Etude/Chamber Piece) that are consistent from page to page. Each exercise has been written to work individually or as with mixed colors OR mixed instrumentation.
How to use in traditional "in-person" lessons or ensemble periods:
Large concepts can be taught to groups that have players of varied experience or technical ability allowing for a UNITED approach to instruction. This idea came from years of frustration stemming from scheduling students for, what were ultimately, compromised instrumental music lessons. Teachers were forced to squeeze students into mixed instrumentation and mixed ability weekly lesson periods. Traditional method books didn't allow for a flexible or unified approach to concepts considering these variables. More advanced students were understandably bored by easy material while less experienced students struggled with advancing concepts. These students were also in various concert ensembles so even using "band music" to find teachable concepts wasn’t an option.
Now, with UNITED a 6th grade clarinet, 7th grade percussionist, and 9th grade tuba can all be engaged together in a single activity with one instructor. Of course, a trumpet and oboe might be on the same level so their part would be doubled in that instance. Parts can also be left uncovered as they work equally well as trios, duets, or private lesson sheets.
A bi-product of this technique is that students want to be moved up to “higher” colors and devote more practice to activities in order to advance. These activities are also convenient when scheduling “make-up” periods. On occasion students miss a lesson due to absence, or a test in an academic class. In homogeneous groupings it is tougher to reschedule these students. With UNITED students can drop into ANY lesson period at anytime in a week to perform their “homework” assignment and be assessed for a grade if a teacher chooses to use the activities in this way. Students are also encouraged to play much more independently through this approach. No longer can an insecure trumpet player “hide” in a group lesson setting. Because of the varied levels and mixed instrumentation options, students must be aggressive in counting and performing melodic and rhythmic material!
How to use in remote learning situations:
It is my belief that students (and teachers) are likely to miss out on the social and emotional elements of playing in band on a daily basis. While Zoom is an excellent resource for remote collaboration, it is at it's best with smaller groups. The UNITED activities serve this framework rather well as students can still collaborate and socialize while still fitting in fundamental concepts without a singular chamber music focus. A teacher can instruct in these satellite groups and be more effective in doing so OR sheets can be assigned to groups as a group project. Perhaps, a GOLD student can serve as a team leader and help introduce earlier concepts to students of other levels? After all, many students learn much more when having to teach a concept! This can also continue the mixed grade sociability that uniquely stems from co-curricular activities.
UNITED was originally designed as a group lesson or ensemble activity book that inspires progress in fundamentals and allows for differentiated instruction. It can ALSO be used for remote learning projects and small group Zoom lessons providing maximum flexibility for music educators.
Students are assigned to a color level based on their playing ability (green, blue, red, or gold). Each activity page is written in one key and one time signature for all levels and highlights three types of exercises (A. Scale/Technical Study, B. Rhythm/Articulation, C. Etude/Chamber Piece) that are consistent from page to page. Each exercise has been written to work individually or as with mixed colors OR mixed instrumentation.
How to use in traditional "in-person" lessons or ensemble periods:
Large concepts can be taught to groups that have players of varied experience or technical ability allowing for a UNITED approach to instruction. This idea came from years of frustration stemming from scheduling students for, what were ultimately, compromised instrumental music lessons. Teachers were forced to squeeze students into mixed instrumentation and mixed ability weekly lesson periods. Traditional method books didn't allow for a flexible or unified approach to concepts considering these variables. More advanced students were understandably bored by easy material while less experienced students struggled with advancing concepts. These students were also in various concert ensembles so even using "band music" to find teachable concepts wasn’t an option.
Now, with UNITED a 6th grade clarinet, 7th grade percussionist, and 9th grade tuba can all be engaged together in a single activity with one instructor. Of course, a trumpet and oboe might be on the same level so their part would be doubled in that instance. Parts can also be left uncovered as they work equally well as trios, duets, or private lesson sheets.
A bi-product of this technique is that students want to be moved up to “higher” colors and devote more practice to activities in order to advance. These activities are also convenient when scheduling “make-up” periods. On occasion students miss a lesson due to absence, or a test in an academic class. In homogeneous groupings it is tougher to reschedule these students. With UNITED students can drop into ANY lesson period at anytime in a week to perform their “homework” assignment and be assessed for a grade if a teacher chooses to use the activities in this way. Students are also encouraged to play much more independently through this approach. No longer can an insecure trumpet player “hide” in a group lesson setting. Because of the varied levels and mixed instrumentation options, students must be aggressive in counting and performing melodic and rhythmic material!
How to use in remote learning situations:
It is my belief that students (and teachers) are likely to miss out on the social and emotional elements of playing in band on a daily basis. While Zoom is an excellent resource for remote collaboration, it is at it's best with smaller groups. The UNITED activities serve this framework rather well as students can still collaborate and socialize while still fitting in fundamental concepts without a singular chamber music focus. A teacher can instruct in these satellite groups and be more effective in doing so OR sheets can be assigned to groups as a group project. Perhaps, a GOLD student can serve as a team leader and help introduce earlier concepts to students of other levels? After all, many students learn much more when having to teach a concept! This can also continue the mixed grade sociability that uniquely stems from co-curricular activities.