Introduction
Welcome to Symphonic Band!
For this week's assignment, you will be doing extensive research on our ensemble pieces in order to help create our program notes!
Here are some things you will need to know before you get started:
- Everyone will be put into groups of four (these groups have already been determined; you cannot choose your own groups).
- Each group will be assigned one out of four of our concert pieces, more than one group will have the same piece (the goal is to be able to combine your work at the end of this assignment so that we will have well rounded and researched program notes for each piece).
- This project will take place over the course of five days (11/4 - 11/8), your group will be presenting your research on the final day (11/8).
- Every student will have a designated job in this group project, everyone will be graded individually in order to uphold personal accountability. This assignment is being completed as a BAND :)
- More information about the job descriptions will be found under Task, and more information about the pacing of the assignment will be found under Process.
If you have any questions, please come talk to me!
- Miss Terry
Task
Group Jobs (responsibilities and expectations):
- Graphic Designer: Responsible for compiling all research and information into a presentation as well as being the presenter for their group.
Expectations: Have your group's research and information be presented through Google Slides or PowerPoint, create your presentation in a way that the information is displayed in a clear, readable manner. Personalization is encouraged but not required!
- Biography Researcher: Responsible for researching the composer.
Expectations: Find important information about the composer (date of birth, birthplace, instrumental or choral background, other pieces that they may be known for, unique or interesting facts) through extensive research. This should be completed using no less than 5, complete sentences for each detail presented.
- Prompt Researcher: Responsible for answering the designated prompts.
Prompts: What is the inspiration behind this piece, if any? When was this piece written? What are some important historical events that occurred around that time, did those events influence the creation of this piece? Why or why not?
Expectations: Include citations for every website that was used to complete these prompts, each prompt must be completed using no less than 5, complete, sentences.
- Music Analyzer: Responsible for reviewing the score and analyzing musical concepts within it.
Expectations: Identify the melody, rhythm, theme and harmony within the piece and describe the significance of each and how it impacts the overall performance. This should be completed using no less than 5, complete sentences for each concept.
Process
Monday (11/4) - Introduction Day
- Miss Terry will spend the first 10 minutes of class explaining the assignment for the week, and will go over the group jobs, responsibilities, expectations and timeline.
- Students will begin to split off into their groups and be provided with their designated piece(s) for the assignment.
- Students will determine the jobs of each group member.
- Students will begin their research (if there is still time).
Tuesday and Wednesday (11/5 - 11/6) - Research Days
- Students will use this time to collaborate and complete their research.
- Students will use this time to ask Miss Terry any questions they may have about the assignment.
Thursday (11/7) - Research/Final Preparation Day
- Students will begin to wrap up their research and start to prepare their presentation for the final day.
- Students will use this time to ask Miss Terry any questions they may have before they present.
- Students who have completed their research and presentation may use any extra time they have in class to run through their presentation.
Friday (11/8) - Presentation
- Students will begin to present their projects (5-10 minutes each), groups will present on a volunteer basis.
- Once a student's group has completed their presentation, they will have to individually grade themselves using a rubric that was provided to them by Miss Terry.
Evaluation
Grading:
Students will be graded on this assignment based on their individual work.
Students will be given a rubric with the criteria needed to pass this assignment. They will have to answer each question honestly (with a yes or no) and turn it in to Miss Terry so she can evaluate their performance as well.
The criteria is as follows:
- Did you complete the responsibilities of your job in this project?
- Did you uphold the expectations of your job for this project?
- Did you use the designated research days in class to work on your part of the project?
- Did you come prepared to present your research on the final day?
- Does your presentation reflect research that was in depth and extensive?
- Did everyone do their part in this assignment?
Pass: In order to pass this assignment, students will have to meet 4/6 of the criteria listed above.
Fail: In order to fail this assignment, students will have to NOT meet 4/6 of the criteria listed above.
Comments can and will be provided to groups and individual students where Miss Terry deems it to be necessary.
Conclusion
Goal of this assignment:
Students will be able to expand their ability to talk about music in a scholarly manner, develop their research skills, techniques, and writing skills, as well as further perfect their public speaking techniques through the personal accountability and group collaboration of extensive research for a variety of musical pieces.