Watch this YouTube clip with your class (= launch of Neil Finn + Paul Kelly 2013 concert tour) … and suggest the class watch the 9pm live broadcast of the final concert of the tour on YouTube (free). Kelly and Finn are two amazing singer song-writers. Paul Kelly also has an app to explore the link between poetry and lyrics.
www.midnightmusic.com.au/2013/03/free-ipad-music-apps-for-teachers-part-1/
Thanks to Katie Wardrobe, here’s is a list of 19 free iPad apps which can promoted creativity and composition.
Welcome to another year of the Sydney Symphony Sinfonietta Composition Project.
To support the project we are holding Professional Learning Seminars in 4 centres – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Hobart at the end of March, 2012. The Sinfonietta Resource Kit is now available to purchase.
More details here: www.sydneysymphony.com/education/schools/sinfonietta/
Rachel McLarin, Education Coordinator, Sydney Symphony (02) 8215 4615
3MBS FM – Program Highlights 3MBS FM is Australia’s leading Community radio station for Fine Music – Classical, Folk and Jazz.
3MBS FM can be streamed live over the internet, making it easy to tune into their “Classically Kids” program from all over the world: Saturday mornings 8-9am (AEST).
3MBS FM 103.5 if you are in Melbourne!
aMuse presents two more a cappella workshops
featuring Amelia Alder and Chris Blain of Vocal Australia
ARRANGING FOR A CAPPELLA
Date: Thursday August 2
An exploration of some proven methods for arranging contemporary a cappella in four – eight parts as well as an interactive workshop devise new original arrangements.
ARRANGING METHODS
Explore some proven methods for arranging contemporary a cappella in four – eight parts. We will explore the whole process from conception to completion with an interactive example piece through a step by step process. Explore handy tips on software use, resource collection, support avenues and more.
VOCAL MIXUP
Vocal MIXUP is an interactive workshop to put our new arranging methods to good use. Participants will work in groups to devise original arrangements of well-known a cappella songs using the skills they have learned in the arranging session. No prior experience or scoring or notation required.
You should attend this workshop if:
You enjoy singing vocal harmony and would like to know more
You would like to be able to arrange music that appeals your class, group or choir
You have a basic knowledge of music theory
You would like to speed up and refine your arranging process
You would like assistance in teaching your year 12 music students
If you’re not sure whether this session is right for you, please email info@vocalaustralia.com
SONGWRITING
Date: Wednesday 14 November
A complete package that explores the process of writing, arranging, scoring and performing original a cappella music from start to end. Participants will work in groups to explore, devise and create original songs which will be arranged into 4-8 part harmony and performed for exploratory purposes. We will explore solid processes for everything from brain-storming themes to texturing vocal backing parts.
You should attend this workshop if:
You enjoy singing a cappella music and would like to write your own
You have tried to write songs in the past but have got “stuck” along the way
You have a basic knowledge of music theory
You would like support and tips on writing original music
If you’re not sure whether this session is right for you, please email info@vocalaustralia.com
COST (per workshop)
$130.00 (members)
$190.00 (non-members)
TIME
9.30am – 3.30pm
VENUE
Statewide Resources Centre
150 Palmerston Street, Carlton
Melway reference — Map 2B:H6
Booking essential
Lunch is provided
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM <http://amuse.vic.edu.au/PL2012/acappella2012.pdf>
For the last 6 years, conductor Richard Gill has been working with the Sydney Symphony’s Education Dept. to encourage young composers to write for Sinfonia, the training orchestra of the Sydney Symphony. Brooke Green spoke to participants of this year’s project and created this collage.
ABODA Victoria Concert Band Composition Contest 2012
ABODA Victoria is now accepting submissions for the ABODA Victoria Concert Band Composition Contest 2012
Category 1: A work for concert band for young players; aimed at Grade Level 1 – 2.
First Prize: $1000 and publication by Brolga Music Publishing; Second Prize: $500; Honourable Mention
Category 2: A work for concert band for more experienced players; aimed at Grade Level 3 – 4.
First Prize: $1000 and publication by Brolga Music Publishing; Second Prize: $500; Honourable Mention
All Entries must be received by 4.00pm, Friday 5 October, 2012
DOWNLOAD Details, Conditions of Entry and Entry form, and Reference Scores from ABODA Victoria: http://vic.aboda.org.au/
OR
Email: jemima@brolgamusic.com
Play the following two songs, and ask the students to guess what they have in common: Zorba the Greek & In the Hall of the Mountain King (by Grieg). ANSWER = accelerando (gradual speeding up of tempo). In pairs, ask students to create their own 30 second composition which features an accelerando.
Go to resource: Acid Studio 7 allows students to compose songs, record, mix and upload for distribution. Read more…
http://www.aco.com.au/downloads/ACO-112Tour2_Web.pdf
The program notes from ACO’s 2011 concert season contain program notes on interesting 20th century works (by Alex Ross).
Go to resource: Acting Up, A Melodrama, published by the Kennedy Center, US, and written by Mary Beth Bauernschub, is a unit based on the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Read more…
Enlightenment Assignment – a Secondary school Music assignment for small groups. Lesson structure, assignment work and marking matrix are all included (free).
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FREE RESOURCE HERE: Use these questions to inspire lyric-writing in groups.
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Sample Units from Australian Music Educators Assoc (Vic) – under the heading “aMuse VELS Support Documents”
ScoreCleaner Notes ($1) = a new app allows you to hum or sing into your device, and it will write up a score … then let you share it over social media. I haven’t tried it yet, but here’s an article about it: http://www.forbes.com/sites/reuvencohen/2013/05/06/new-app-allows-anyone-to-create-musicial-scores-by-humming-or-singing-no-instruments-required/
www.qmusic.com.au/index.cfm?contentID=614&articleID=10022
APRA is offering cash prizes to song writers in 2013 to enhance their development as music or song writers.
This quote is found under the CD of Archie Roach’s latest album: “Into the Bloodstream“. Read the quote to your students and ask them to write a composition or song in response.
“My recent bouts of illness I’m sure are a result of the Pain of being removed from my family at a young age and more recently the loss of someone I loved so dearly. But Pain can also bring about change in one’s life for the better. We can choose to ignore the Pain until it becomes unbearable or we can do something. You see some events in my life I will never truly get over and the Pain will always be there but I can do something about it. I can write songs, songs about making it to the Top of the Hill no matter how far, songs about not being alone so don’t cry, songs about all of us having a song to sing and songs we can dance to.”
Westlake articles – click on the link to ‘Articles’ to view many free articles/lectures on Nigel Westlake’s film music
Go to resource: Artists in Residence (air) is run by arts@work (Arts Tasmania), and funded by the Australia Council. Read more…
Dear teachers
Please see below information about a wonderful project that may interest your senior students (Australia-wide). It is a great opportunity to explore your creativity with like-minded students from across all arts disciplines. Please forward to students who may be interested.
Regards
Louise Barkl
Artology Remix 2013
Calling all teenagers | Entries close 15 March
How would you like to create a great work of performance art alongside some of Australia’s top performers, writers and other artists?
Artology Remix is a creative program that gives you exactly that opportunity.
If you are a budding artist from ANY art form (Dance, Music, Drama, Visual Arts etc.), we encourage you to apply. You do NOT need to be skilled in all the art forms – you only need to be proficient in at least one.
You will meet inspiring people and create art at the highest level. You will meet like-minded individuals and be mentored at every turn. You will emerge from this program with skills and knowledge you can’t imagine.
All tuition is FREE. If you are 15-20 years old, and passionate about your creativity, apply HERE (www.artology.org.au/remix)
The Arts Centre (Vic) Digital Learning Hub – The Arts Centre (Melbourne) Music Education programs
Go to resource: ArtsEdge (Western Australia) is a collaboration between the education, arts, and cultural sectors in WA. Read more…
The next Australian Flute Festival will be held in 2013 at the Australian National University School of Music, Canberra.
www.australianflutefestival.com
Supersaver – Registration closes May 31st Register Online
Flute Composition Competition – Entries close June 1 Competition Page
Go to resource: The Australian Music Centre (AMC), located at the Rocks in Sydney, is a comprehensive resource for Australian music. Read more…
Bubble Harp draws bubbles around your fingertips, recording and replaying your movements while creating music. It’s a combination of drawing, animation, music, art, geometry and gaming.
$1.99 at iTunes store for iPad or iPhone
http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/education-apps/apps/78-bubble-harp
A bit of fun – create music using an on-screen keyboard or guitar, or using the faces of a 3D cube.
ccsmash.youthedmusic.com.au/how-to/
This online site is provided free by the Arts Centre (Melbourne) – encouraging students to mash music and have creative fun.
Watch THIS TEDx YouTube clip about a collaboratively-made film by Daniel Johns (from Silverchair) and Josh Wakely. Discuss how music can be inspired by images, stories and pictures. Discuss how film can be inspired by music.
Go to resource: Classics for Kids is a podcast station that streams classical music suitable for children.
Read blog post at the above link about the benefits of using computers to help students compose.
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781607091950
“Minds on Music” – This textbook enhances preservice and practicing music educators’ understanding of ways to successfully engage children in music composition. It offers both a rationale for the presence of composition in the music education program and a thorough review of what we know of children’s compositional practices to date. Minds On Music offers a solid foundation for planning and implementing composition lessons with students in grades PreK-12.
Go to resource: Creating Meaning Through Literature and the Arts by Claudia Cornett (2006) is a textbook specifically for classroom teachers. Read more…
Go to resource: Creating new stuff, published by Noteable, focuses on composition for 11 to 15 year old students. Read more…
Here are a series of digital challenges for students - exciting
opportunities for music students across Australia.
The eTrack challenge gives students the great opportunity: To write
and record an original song that tells a story. The story may be based
on personal experience, a friend, a folklore or fairy-tale.
Winners will be awarded digital prizes from our sponsors Adobe, Wacom
and Scholastic at the exciting ceremony at the Sydney Opera House in
November.
Other opportunities include:
* eProfile challenge: To create an informative and motivating eProfile
about an inspirational person such as a singer, composer, musician,
inventor, instrument maker, producer – anyone who is related to the
music world and inspires the students.
The website is at www.wecreate.nsw.edu.au
eTrack: wecreate.nsw.edu.au/wcc_apps/eTrack/challenge.shtm
eProfile: www.cli.nsw.edu.au/lo/challenge.shtm
> For further information please email wecreate@det.nsw.edu.au
Creative projects for Mixcraft
Wednesday 5 June 2013
10.00am – 3.15pm
PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS WORKSHOP
Mixcraft is a fantastic resource for any music teacher and has hundreds of possibilities for curriculum integration. From arranging and composing with loops and recording your own original material, to remixing, podcasting and storytelling projects, there’s something for everyone.
This full-day workshop will be broken into 3 parts:
Session 1: Composing the blues
Using the 12 Bar Blues as our basis, we’ll learn how to start a new project and use loops to construct a blues bass line. Discover how to transpose and edit audio and create a fade-in and fade-out. Learn how to record your own MIDI drum part and save it to the loop library for future use in other projects. Extend your song by adding new sections. Learn how to add an audio track so you can record voice, guitar or another live instrument. Save your project and share/export the final product.
Mixcraft skills covered include the following:
Session 2: Remixing
This session will begin by looking at arranging techniques and compare multiple versions of a single song. Remixing is a great way to teach students arranging techniques – such as layering, changing key, altering tempo, incorporating different musical styles, harmonies and texture – using technology. We’ll create two different remixes: import a classical-style MIDI file and transform it by chopping up the parts, copying sections, adding a backing in a new style and altering instrumentation. Then, in the second project, create your own remix of provided audio stems (the separate instrumental and vocal tracks from an existing recording) and spoken word.
Mixcraft skills covered include the following:
Session 3: Radio shows, podcasting and digital storytelling
Podcasting and radio shows are excellent group activities that allow students to research a music topic and present their findings as a radio show. Students can take on a range of tasks: researching, scripting, narration, creating or finding background music. Discover how to record narration in a busy classroom and how to edit the results. Add in some intro and outro music and create fade-ins and outs and discover ways you can expand your content library with a range of free music and loops that are copyright-free or Creative Commons licensed – useful for both podcasting and remixing projects. We’ll also look at incorporating images to create enhanced podcasts or digital stories.
What To Bring
Headphones
COST (per workshop)
$150.00 (members)
$225.00 (non-members)
TIME
10.00am – 3.00pm
VENUE
Statewide Resources Centre
150 Palmerston Street, Carlton
Melway reference — Map 2B:H6
Google Map
Booking essential
Lunch is provided
FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM:
free worksheet – suit middle to upper secondary Music students, working with chord creation theory
Ask senior student to each choose one composer from the list in this AMC article and to summarise the main points. Students will then share their findings with the rest of the class (verbally or via a blog).
https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Middle-School-Music-Tech/191444264221376?ref=ts
An American Music teacher shares his students’ recordings and digital music creations on a FaceBook page.
Listen to & read some of the examples for lesson ideas!
Never before has it been so easy for young people to compose music for the amazing Federation Bells in Birrarung Marr.
In this new workshop, young people create their masterpiece on the computer at the Digital Learning Hub at Arts Centre Melbourne. Participants learn about the bells and how they work. They then will be guided through the music composition process and finally walk the short distance to the Bells to hear their piece played live! No musical experience is required.
Thursday 24 and Friday 25 Jan, 2pm
Duration: 2 hrs 30 min
$18
Ages 9+ Accompanying adult free Limited places available
Book now or phone 1300 182 183
Go to resource: Finale NotePad is a downloadable program that introduces teachers and students to music notation software and is recommended for composition students. Read more…
Go to resource: Fleximusic Composer is a downloadable software program that allows students and teachers to record, mix, create, and edit compositions. Read more…
Go to resource: Fleximusic Kids Composer is a downloadable software program that introduces young students to music recording, mixing, sampling, and creating. Read more…
Go to resource: Fortissimo!, written by Roy Bennett and published by Cambridge UP, covers musical concepts such as performing, composing, listening, analysing music. Read more…
This month (October 2012) Klerrisa Music’s ACCESS site (usually available to paying customers) is FREE to all teachers. Browse through brilliant resources (Middle School to High School) and sample tastes of many different units, lesson plans and worksheets.
www.mtrs.co.uk/subscriptions/KS4.html
Lots of units of work (including audio tracks) for studying many topics, including film music with Year 7-8… 20th century composition with Year 11-12 … using GarageBand … atonal music … much more (free!)
Thanks to MTRS in UK for sharing 
On Thursday June 23rd Future Music will be running a FREE PD session on the new PRO TOOLS 9.
This is an introduction to the new recording software which is now simpler to use and is much less expensive than before.
PRO TOOLS is an industry standard used in TV, movie and recording studios everywhere. The version for schools use has the same technology, but is appropriate for classroom particularly in a VCE and VET application, it can now be used directly with Sibelius.
The presenter for this PD is Peter Wardrobe from AVID, who will introduce you to the process in an easy to understand non technical form. We will record using MIDI and audio. Part of the session will take place in a professional recording studio, where you can get up close to the real environment.
The session will finish around 6pm and we will round off with drinks and light refreshments. There is no charge for this session.
The address for this PD is:
BURWOOD MUSIC CENTRE
2a Florence St (off Huntingdale road)
Burwood.
RSVP is essential.
Please call JUDY on 9808 8988
Go to resource: GarageBand is a downloadable software program by Apple that assists with music creation and podcasts. Read more…
Go to resource: Goran Bregovic – Tales & Songs for Weddings & Funerals education kit is provided through the Melbourne International Arts Festival site, and was performed at the festival in 2008. Read more…
Use SoundCloud and blogging to give students feedback on recorded performances / compositions. Read more HERE.
As a tribute to Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach has just released a kit about a song-writing trip to Cape York. Butcher Paper, Texta, Black Board and Chalk The kit includes a CD of songs (written by Cape York school kids with Ruby Hunter) & a book of lyrics and art-work & a DVD documentary of the journey through Cape York (including song-writing sessions and jamming). The cross-curricular content of the DVD is brilliant – music, art, indigenous culture, creativity, etc. More info HERE.
LESSON IDEA: Play the DVD, then try song-writing with your class (about their own place, home and country) … later play the CD and encouraged students to draw pictures to go with the words (as did Ruby).
www.blake.com.au/Instant-Lessons-in-Music-s/1655.htm These 5 volumes of “Instant Lessons in Music” have handy worksheets to photocopy … give to emergency teachers, and extend / catch up some students. Suits Year 5 – Year 11. Covers music theory, music in Australia, song-writing, composition and personal responses.
Go to resource: Phil Tulga presents a list of interactive activities and lesson plans which combine Music with Science, Language and Maths.
Go to resource: Integrating the arts: twelve school-based experiences, published by the Department for Education and Children’s Services, SA, 1997, gives twelve case best-practice case studies for the teaching of the arts in schools. Read more…
www.songwritingcompetition.com
There is a category for U18 song-writers (“teen” category). Please note that there is a $30+ application fee.
A few iPad apps which might contribute to an Orff type lesson (if you have a class set of iPads for Music)
http://wrightstuffmusic.com/2011/06/12/ipad-apps-for-orff-lessons/
Go to resource: Jam Trax, created by Sony, is a software program for children that enables music creation of contemporary songs, including rock, pop, and hip hop styles. Read more…
Create a video-game-type composition where trees and houses = musical tones … cars = players
Listen to the ABC podcast (listen here) of ‘Golden Fur’ – a Melbourne Trio playing “Parallel Collisions” at a live concert.
As the music is playing, ask students for suggestions re. what instruments are being played … and in what manner! There are many really unusual techniques employed in this piece.
Students with access to the internet can then create a Word or OneNote page with information on the trio ‘Golden Fur’ (use Google and www.goldenfur.com.au) and the way in which they play traditional instruments in a contemporary way.
Finally, create a group composition or soundscape which uses unusual techniques of playing classroom instruments. HAVE FUN!!
PS Feel free to record the class creation and email it to schools.mpfl@mca.org.au
wrightstuffmusic.com/in-the-classroom/making-music-fun/
Wright Stuff Music offers a list of links for fun online music activities (K-12)
Go to resource: Logic Studio by Apple is a software program that enables music recording, editing, mixing, and performance. Read more…
Have you signed up yet to be part of Making Music Being Well?
This national initiative, which takes place from 16 – 22 May, is a collaboration between Music: Play for Life and the Australian Music Therapy Association and it’s all about a grassroots celebration of the links between music making and wellbeing.
When you register to participate – it’s FREE – we’ll send you event posters, stickers and brochures and you’ll get access to lots of downloadable resources including event planning and promotional tips. How you participate is up to you.
The best way to be involved is to take something you may already have planned for that week and hitch it to the national wagon of Making Music Being Well 2011. You don’t have to do something on every day during the week – one event is enough. Your event will be outlined on the MMBW website and you and your group members or students will be helping to shine the national spotlight on an important fact: music is good for you!
Here are a few ideas based on previous years: Open the doors to the community for your rehearsal that falls within the MMBW week and turn it into a free performance. Take your choir or group to a nursing home, hospital or school. Organise a big sing at your workplace. Turn a school assembly into a musical celebration and tell students and parents about the value and benefits of making music. Convene a drum circle in your school playground. Run an open mic session at your local pub or club. Organise a gathering of community music leaders and organisers in your area and discuss how you could pool resources and share skills.
Register to be part of it at www.makingmusicbeingwell.org.au
AND … don’t forget – registration for our biggest school music initiative, Music: Count Us In, opens soon too!
Marimba Music Making WITH JON MADIN
Date Thursday 2 June 2011
Time 9.30am – 3.30pm
Venue 150 Palmerston Street, CARLTON
Cost $130 members/$190 non-members
An amazing smorgasbord of ideas for hands-on music making using marimbas and many other Jon Madin’s ingeniously created instruments. Suitable for any primary or lower secondary music teaching environment. Would be suitable for primary generalists. You will go away with a wealth of repertoire and activity ideas.
About Jon
Jon Madin is a trained classroom music teacher with a background in a wide variety of music-making. His experience includes playing in folk/rock bands, multi-cultural bands, orchestra and early music consorts. He also leads family music workshops and bush dances.
He has also worked extensively in musical instrument design – marimbas in particular, as well as many other experimental musical instruments.
For further information about Jon Madin, check out the Marimba Music website: www.marimbamusic.com.au
ENQUIRIES
Kevin Kelley
Executive Officer
Association of Music Educators (Vic) Inc
150 Palmerston Street
CARLTON Victoria 3053
Phone 03 9349 1048
Fax 03 9349 1052
kevin.kelley@amuse.vic.edu.au
www.amuse.vic.edu.au
Talk about mash-ups with your middle school music class – where musicians take lots of songs and mix them into a new musical work. Try mashing up the MUSIC. COUNT US IN song for 2011 – the stem files (MP3) for which are freely available here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QspTBmTar5U Elephant Song medley from Moulin Rouge (a mash-up)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e5kJl9-oV0&feature=related The same Elephant Song medley from Moulin Rouge, but this clip inserts the ORIGINAL versions of songs
Sensitive New Age Cow Persons wrote a new Australian Anthem, which mashes 13 iconic Australian songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BiQxIP0-FQ
Adam Hills has put the words of the real Australian Anthem to ‘Working Class Man’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okHs4308nJc&feature=related
A lesson plan on mash-ups can be found in ‘Instant Lessons in Music – Book 4‘ available from Blake Education.
Minister Garrett has given the green light for Music: Count Us In 2012 and he has committed four years of funding!
This year’s culminating day is Thursday, 1st November.
Want to have more than half a million Australians sing YOUR song? Write a song that’s catchy, optimistic and upbeat and yours could be the Song That Stops Australia for Music: Count Us In 2012.
You will receive a $1000 fee for use of your song in the program and a high-profile Australian performer will record it and visit your school. As the Program Songwriter you will also attend one of the culminating media events, all expenses paid.
You may work on your own, with co-writer/s or even write a song as a whole class exercise.
But you must work quickly, because we need your submission by 5.00 pm Friday, 25th May.
Download the brief here.
Medea: Sasha Waltz and guests was a work performed at the 2009 Melbourne International Arts Festival. Read more…
QATSI Experience Workshop workshop at the Digital Learning Hub at Arts Centre Melbourne is coming up very soon. In August 2012 the Phillip Glass Ensemble conducted by Michael Riesman comes to Melbourne to play the score live for the three powerhouse Godfrey Reggio films Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, Powaqqatsi: Life in Transformation and Naqoyqatsi: Life as War
They are running a 5 session workshop over June and July that involves participants composing a piece of music in the minimalist style and then producing a piece of video to go with the music. Please see the website below for a more detailed explanation of the workshop. It would suit students from Yr. 9 upwards with an interest in composition and/or video, film making or just any student with a general interest in music and video production. The sessions are on Saturdays and Monday evenings at the following times:
Session Dates
Saturday 9th June: 10am – 4pm
Monday 18th June: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 23rd June: 1pm – 4pm
Monday 16th July: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday July 21st: 10am – 4pm
Price
Workshop Sessions only: $250 General Public $200 Student (with ID)
Discount ticket price for The Qatsi Trilogy concerts (bookable with workshop sessions): $25
For more information please contact Amy Bennett at the Digital Learning Hub on 9281 8015 or amy.bennett@artscentremelbourne.com.au
THIS 15 minutes video is Missy Higgins (Australian singer song-writer) playing and talking about 3 songs.
Apple computer users love GarageBand software for making music.
Non-Apple users might like “Mixcraft” for recording, editing and looping music.
Watch this YOUTUBE CLIP of the MozART Group from Poland. It is an entertaining collage of Classical String Quartets re-interpreted
Now choose a Classical piece of music (Google search for the Classical Top 100) or nursery rhyme and change it drastically … into pop, funk, country, metal, etc. You may wish to write lyrics to go with the Classical melody. OR
Choose a piece of pop music and arrange it for a classical ensemble. Start by putting the vocal line into an instrument, then find chords to go underneath.
HINT: Google search for the song name + free + midi. You may well be able to save a midi file from the internet, which will open in Finale / Audacity / Sibelius, etc.
free online mixing game – BBC has created on online interactive mixing webpage … choose a nationality (African, Cuban, Celtic, New Orleans, Oriental, Spanish, UK) … use sliders to bring different tracks and sound effects into your mix. A perfect activity for mixed ability classes where some students have no instrumental skills.
Lesson Idea: let students discover the BBC Music Mixing webpage … then discuss the similarities and differences between the different cultures of music represented on the webpage … ask each student to create a Venn diagram which compares two of the musical cultures from the website
MuseScoreTips - MuseScore is free software for music notation – this site gives tutorials, shortcuts and tips
Thebiz.com.au is proud to be associated with this great night of music industry information and discussion. This looks like a great panel this year, so for just $10 you should get down to the Toff in Melbourne next Monday night. There is also a chance to meet the panel and network after the discussion is concluded. See you there! DOWNLOAD AMPAL SONGWRITER”S POSTER
Go to resource: First Rhythmic Composition is a lesson plan written for 11 to 13 year olds, published by the Kennedy Center, US.
Read more…
Go to resource: Music Education in Primary Schools, written by Graeme Askew, published by Education Australia (1993), this resource is for students and teachers, and incorporates Kodaly and Orff methods. Read more…
Go to resource: Music in childhood: from preschool through the elementary grades, written by Patricia Shehan Campbell and Carol Scott-Kassner. Read more…
On April 12th 2011, a dozen talented teenage singer-songwriters were mentored by John Foreman, Claire Bowditch, Holly Throsby, Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc) and Kavyen Temperley (Eskimo Joe).
The result was the 2011 song for Music. Count Us In (1st September 2011).
Watch this space for free lesson plans, free MP3 material, free Professional Development (for teachers) and free instrumental arrangements. Let’s get more music in more Australian schools!! www.musiccountusin.org.au
www.musicatschool.co.uk is a free website of Secondary Music teaching ideas, lesson plans and worksheets from UK Music teachers.
For example, here is a worksheet for Year 7’s learning about how orchestral players are seated:
http://www.musicatschool.co.uk/year_7/Instruments_sheets/layout_worksheet.PDF
Go to resource: MusicTime! by Ros McMillan, was published by Macmillan Education Australia, Melbourne, in 1998. Read more…
Go to resource: MusicTime! : discover things! by Ros McMillan, was published by Hal Leonard Australia, Melbourne, in 2008. Read more…
Fresh off the printing press – Instant Lessons in Music (Vols 3, 4 & 5) – photocopiable /digital lessons designed to enhance school Music programs OR leave for Emergency teachers (without the need for musical competency) – suits 11-16 year old Music classes – written by an Australian teacher for Australian students.
Vol 3: Music in Australia
Vol 4: Everyday musicality
Vol 5: Theory, composition & song-writing
New Millenium Records – a rich resource for free lesson content. Most lessons are paragraphs of typed information embedded with free audio files or video clips to support the text.
lecture on Antarctica by Westlake – a detailed lecture on Westlake’s film music to the movie Antarctica
http://australianmusiceducators.ning.com/ is an Australian discussion forum for music educators. It was set up with the intent of discussing ideas on classroom band programs, but it really is a forum for discussion on any aspect of Australian music teaching from P-12. At present there is a small group of members, but I am hoping to build it up and draw on a wide range of professional knowledge and experience.
This group is completely FREE (in a monetary sense, not a moral or metaphysical sense).
Please come along and check it out. The page is run as a ning, which is basically a social network with a particular focus. It is great for online discussion, linking of video and photo and has facility for you to blog. All you need to do is create an account.
NY Times article – research led Anthony Tommasini to publish the Top 10 Classical composers of all time in the New York Times (Jan 11, 2011)
New Zealand Curriculum Exemplars – several exemplar lessons for Primary and Secondary School Music (New Zealand)
This could make an interesting lesson idea – students write a sentence each … maybe even borrow the melody from another choral work …
HOW TO MAKE GRAVY is an app (costing about $15) which features background material to Paul Kelly’s music, as well as lyrics. The app links to any / all Paul Kelly songs already in your iTunes folder.
A great teaching resource for Australian contemporary music & song-writing.
Following the release of his 19th album and a biopic of his life, Paul Kelly spoke to the BBC’s Tom Donkin about the art of storytelling, and borrowing from the giants of literature. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22141229
Interview here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22141229
“Stories of Me” was released in 2012. It is is a documentary about the life and career of the acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter, Paul Kelly. The film explores the relationship of Kelly’s art to his life and personal journey, and the hurdles he faced along the way. It also shows the way that Kelly’s work has been informed by Australian society and his work has in turn given voice to the experiences of many Australians, and at times the life of the nation
A free teaching kit can be downloaded FREE from THIS WEBSITE (after first creating a free login & password). It is designed for Year 11 and 12.
The first session of Musica Viva’s “Sound Safari” (Professional Development for teachers) takes place in Carlton VIC on April 1st 2011. The same session will be held around Australia in 2011.
For more information on the program, please visit the website at http://www.musicaviva.com.au/education/mvis/professionallearning/soundsafari.
Here’s a lesson idea inspired by YouTube’s “Picture Songs”. Ask a group of students to find 16 interesting / weird photos online and put them in a chosen order. Using another group’s pictures, groups create 4 beats worth of lyrics for each picture. Try to rhyme some of the lyrics. Ask a guitar-playing to vamp a 4-chord progression (eg. C, Am, F, G) while each group raps or songs their 16 lines of lyrics.
www.composerhome.com/piano/menu/
The Goulburn Conservatorium has commissioned an electronic book and piano music to encourage students to learn piano, enjoy music, and compose. This link is free. ENJOY it with your students! Afterwards, ask them for their personal responses.
Show your students the YouTube clip of Tim Minchin’s “Canvas Bags” song (NB it contains a few profanities). Discuss the damage done by plastic bags to our environment. Ask students to form song-writing groups & create their own protest song or rap. Also highlight the contrast of styles featured in Minchin’s song.
Attention Victorian Songwriters! Want to hone your songwriting skills with some of the music industry’s best?
Jeff Lang, Abby Dobson, Jen Cloher and Mark Seymour step off the stage and out of the studio, to joinCharles Jenkins’ innovative and inspiring songwriter’s program, Push Songs, in May and June to help upcoming and emerging Victorian songwriters.
The free all ages program was established by Jenkins (Shopfront Songs) in 2009 in partnership with The Push and APRA, and with the generous support of the State Government’s Arts Victoria funding program, and more recently the Australian Government’s Australia Council.
Twelve applicants will be chosen to take part in three, one on one, 1.5 hour songwriting workshops betweenMay 3 and June 8 at The Push offices in Brunswick. They will develop song ideas and sketches with Jenkins as well as two of this round’s special guest songwriters Lang, Dobson, Cloher and Seymour.
Participants from all corners of the state of Victoria of any age are encouraged to apply for Push Songs. Push Songs APPLICATIONS CLOSE Wednesday 20 April. The online application is very easy and participants will be chosen on suitability, as well as what they will get out of the program. Fill out an application online via thepush.com.au (follow the links to Push Songs).
free article – an article full of quotes from female music legends
http://www.musiceducation.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/youtube-lesson-compilation.docx
THIS link takes you two random uses of YouTube in music-related lessons. If you have suggestions, PLEASE email them to schools.mpfl AT mca.org.au
A lesson idea for “National Sorry Day” … or any day.
Watch the Colli Crew’s song about reconciliation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsWo9CxqsN8&feature=related
In small groups, brainstorm phrases that rhyme with “reconciliation” and “it’s up to us”
Watch the Colli Crew’s 2010 ARIA Award winning song “Change the Game” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0rJajbIs-o
Create a class rap, make an audio recording, and place it on the school’s website.
Email a link (or a copy of the song) to schools.mpfl@mca.org.au
Listen to Indigenous Australian music from “Black Arm Band”, “Saltwater Band”, “Gurrumul Yunupingu” and “Archie Roach” on YouTube, iTunes, CD or GrooveShark.
A film-scoring competition for secondary school-age students.
SCORE IT! throws down the gauntlet to young film composers across Queensland to create a unique and original composition to accompany a scoreless short film.
Entries will be judged by a panel of leading practitioners in film and composition and the winners of each category will be announced and awarded at a presentation ceremony during the Queensland Music Festival in July 2013.
For more information about SCORE IT! or to register your expression of interest visit QMF.ORG.AU. Please note this program is open to Queensland entrants only.
SCORE IT! is presented by Queensland Music Festival, Brisbane City Council and Cutting Edge. Queensland Music Festival is an initiative of the Queensland Government.
My brave idea for Year 11 this year is to give them one piece of theory each week – to research, then apply to their own composition. The booklet is attached – feel free to use and amend for your own teaching purposes. ENJOY!
Go to resource: Sibelius Groovy Music is a software program that assists with teaching music to five to eleven year old students. Read more…
Sinfonietta Composition Project
What is Sinfonietta?
• A national project identifying composition talent – open to all Australian high school
students.
• Students compose and submit an original piece based upon a model work or composition
focus.
• It is supported by a preparation kit full of activities useful for teaching composition in the
classroom and a professional learning seminar.
• Successful applicants gather in Sydney to workshop their compositions with Richard Gill and
musicians over 3 days culminating in an open workshop.
2012 Composition Focus:
How to write counterpoint – activities inspired by Bach’s Musical Offering
The Sinfonietta Resource Kit can be purchased separately.
Cost $25
To order the Sinfonietta Resource Kit, email
For more information visit www.sydneysymphony.com/sinfonietta
SCHOOL FOR SONGS
One song to be written, one day to do it – and about 500,000 people to sing it and judge how it sounds. That was the equation faced by a dozen schoolchildren who were coached by leading lights of Australian music yesterday in writing this year’s ditty for the annual Music: Count Us In project. The teenagers were given guidelines for the composition, but Eskimo Joe’s Kav Temperley said: ”I told them to forget about that completely.” The result with his pupils was lyrics about ”pocketful of poo, something about spew”, he said proudly. But it rhymed. ”That’s what we’re saying: it’s gotta be good.” Regurgitative references aside, the Diary’s anthem correspondent, Adam Fulton, reports that the students were beyond chuffed to come from around Australia to get the guidance of Temperley, Clare Bowditch, Holly Throsby and Rai Thistlethwayte for the project, which is designed to raise awareness of the value of music education in schools. By day’s end the song chosen by the project’s ”ambassador”, John Foreman, to be sung by students from about 1600 Australian schools at the same time on September 1 was by Thistlethwayte’s bunch and carries the working titleWe’ve Got the Music. Its chorus: ”Get on your feet / Feel the heartbeat / We’ve got the music / We’re not too proud to say it out loud / We’re not afraid to use it.”
from Sydney Morning Herald 14.4.2011 Matt Buchanan and Rachel Olding
random chords – a cute page which randomly chooses a key and chord progression (each time you press refresh) to help song-writers get out of a rut!
ANATOMY OF MUSIC with Katie Noonan
We’ll pull it apart so you can put it together. Live from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne and around Victoria via Interactive Video Conference.
10am Friday 16 November 2012
Equipped with the latest technology, top of the range digital piano and an experienced music educator (not to mention her immaculate voice), Katie Noonan will give your students an invaluable insight into the song writing process.
In a unique learning experience, she’ll sing, tinkle the ivories and use samples of ARIA award-winning recordings to guide students through a tailored workbook.
Anatomy of Music is a brand new series of composition workshops allowing secondary music students all over VIC the opportunity to work with Australia’s leading composers and songwriters via live performance and interactive video conferencing.
Where: ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne
When: 10am – 1pm, Friday 16 November, 2012 (week 6, term 4)
Live Workshop: $20 per student
Interactive Video Conference: $150 per school *schools eligible are outside Metro region **school must have Polycom connection
We do understand it is exam time. This workshop is open to ALL secondary students.
Call 9645 7935 or email Danielle dasciak@musicaviva.com.au for bookings and more information.
Attached is a booking form if you’d like to secure your spot now!
You can also visit:
http://www.musicaviva.com.au/education/mvis/2012/anatomyofmusic
Here is a powerpoint presentation to show students … before asking them to write a song for 500 000 students to perform on November 1st, 2012 in Australia. Write individually or as a group. Keep the lyrics positive and optimistic.
Music: Count Us In has full details – due 25 May, 2012. $1000 up for grabs!
Music: Count Us In offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a talented young person to have their song sung by over half a million students.
Download the brief at musiccountusin.org.au/the-song
Look at this website from The Patch Primary School to get ideas of composition activities to do with your students.
Essentials of Music – Sony Music has set up a music resource website which provides free information on 60 Classical composers, including 200+ free samples of their music.
Go to resource: Soundhouse provides support for contemporary music-making in schools, including the implementation of music technology. Read more…
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/soundprism/id386833491?mt=8
SoundPrism enables you to create music immediately without any previous knowledge. With its visualisation of pitches and intuitive controls – composing melodies and chord patterns become child’s play. Great for special needs students on an iPad.
Message from the Arts Unit (NSW):
The Arts Unit is excited to announce that Richard Gill, one of Australia’s leading music educators, will be working with students at this year’s State Senior Music Camp.
Richard will be conducting the full camp item – Faure’s Requiem. He will also conduct the vocal ensemble and run HSC performance and composition workshops.
In order to give all students the opportunity to work with Richard, we have extended the closing dates for applications to Friday 10 May 2013.
The application form and information about the camps can be found by visiting https://www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/music/music-camps/state-music-camps
Thank you in advance for advertising this opportunity to your students.
Kind Regards,
Scott
Scott Ryan
Instrumental Music Programs Assistant
The Arts Unit
Flinders Quartet (free) program notes for April 2011 concert.
new Australian work: Ian Munro’s String Quartet No.2 ‘A Colonial Sketchbook’
Mozart K.413 arranged for Piano and String Quartet
Debussy String Quartet in G minor Op.10
The above website links to the 2011 prize-winners of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation song-writing competition. Categories catered for students aged 5 through to 18. LESSON IDEA: Listen to the winning songs (from the website) for each class’s age-category and discuss the strengths and musical elements of each winning song.
www.sydneysymphony.com/education/professional_learning_program/meet_the_music/
The Professional Learning seminar is a 3-hour workshop for music teachers and senior music students. Based on the Meet the Music concert repertoire, it provides teachers with resources and strategies that support the Stage 5 and 6 music courses.
The 2012 seminar will focus on the developing Australian composition style, from Sculthorpe to Hindson and a new commission by Barry Conyngham. The seminar is ideal for students studying Music of the Past 25 Years (Australian focus) for the HSC, or studying Australian music as an elective topic.
Special guest presenter: Dr Matthew Hindson
DATE
Friday 17 February 2.00pm-5.00pm
VENUE
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
PRICES
First participant $230 (Mandatory participation fee)
Additional participants $190
University and school aged students $25 (includes attendance at the seminar and notes)
Free for PSP and CAP schools
Schools participating in the Meet the Music Professional Learning program receive one BONUS complimentary subscription for every ten Meet the Music subscriptions booked. Please note that there is a limit of five complimentary subscriptions per participating institution.
BOOKINGS
email education@sydneysymphony.com
Go to resource: Sync or swing is published by the NSW Department of Education and Training and provides support for teaching music K-6. Read more…
The creators of Tashi books (Barbara & Anna Fienberg) often write songs for their book characters to sing, but rarely have a melody / tune in mind. Pick any 5 notes from A through to G, and create a melody for a Tashi song. If you only use 5 different notes, it uses a pentatonic scale, and will sound Oriental — just like Tashi!
TeachersNetwork.org – an excellent website (by US teachers for teachers) with free lesson plans. Most lessons require computers as a resource or tool for quality Music lessons – from Bach to Rap! Some lessons include rubrics for assessment.
Andrew Bird is a one man band and composer. He gives a talk (video clip) for TED conference.
Go to resource: TES Connect collates free teacher-created resources from UK. This link is for Secondary Music resources and links. You will need to sign up to view resources – signing up is free and simple.
Go to resource: The Arts Centre Melbourne provides education programs specifically for school students, including performances and workshops. Read more…
The Black Arm Band: Dirtsong was a work performed at the 2009 Melbourne International Arts Festival. There is a free Education kit available here. The second half of the activities are specifically Music-related, while the first half are Arts and literacy-related. Read more…
The Black Arm Band: Hidden Republic was a work performed at the 2008 Melbourne International Arts Festival. Read more…
On Sunday 20 February 2011, Damon Gameau took out first prize for the 19th annual Movie Extra Tropfest in front of crowds of 150,000 nationwide. The film was titled “ANIMAL BEATBOX”. It creates a type of beat-box using only animal words – verbal percussion of sorts!
Watch the YouTube clip of Animal Beatbox (giggle and smile) then ask students to come up with a list of animals with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 syllables. Next, they can form groups to create a poem, rap, beat-box or verse. Finally, practise saying the animal beat-box creation over a djembe beat, drum-kit beat or electronic loop. ENJOY!!
Online song-creation … start by humming a melody into the computer … choose instruments, styles, form … publish a song
A lesson plan of its own – since the webpage guides you through each selection.
NB: You will need to create a login.
There’s a new way to let students view YouTube clips online … www.viewpure.com. The teacher copies the URL address from a YouTube clip, pastes it onto the viewpure.com website, clicks “create”, and it creates a new webpage (which students can view) with the YouTube clip on its own (without ads or comments). Copy and paste the newly create URL address and give it to your students.
Here’s an example I entered into ViewPure of ACO playing to surfing footage …
http://viewpure.com/m0NJyVCQpIs
HINT: Don’t click on the “Download” button (bottom of ViewPure screen) – it is only advertising!
Message from MSO:
As we approach the start to a new school year, the MSO would like to highlight a new resource which will available to VCE Music Students (and their teachers!) in 2013.
We have commissioned Australian composer, Paul Stanhope to write a piccolo concerto for Andrew MacLeod (MSO’s Principal Piccolo player) and document his compositional process for VCE Music Students to follow. This resource will be released alongside a composer-performer workshop presented by Paul, Andrew and the MSO’s Associate Conductor, Benjamin Northey on Monday 6 May, and complemented by exclusive access to the MSO’s rehearsal and world premiere performance of this work at Hamer Hall.
This syllabus-specific program offers Units 1-4 Music Performance students an opportunity to hear a discussion about ways that performers and composers work together to shape interpretations of music. Units 1-4 Music Style and Composition students will gain insight into ways that composers and performers work collaboratively to resolve technical and practical issues, and how creative intention can shape decision-making at different stages of a creative process.
To book, please visit:http://www.mso.com.au/education/schools/make-a-booking/
Cost: $20 per student (includes resource, workshop, rehearsal and concert ticket). Accompanying teachers free.
Please contact MSO education on 03 9626 1198 or education@mso.com.au for further information.
Go to resource: Vocal-ease is published by the NSW Department of Education and Training and comes in 4 volumes. It provides a sequential plan for singing activities. Read more…
Give students a melody (as a Sibelius or Finale file, accessible via school intranet if you want to save time). Using trial and error, asking students to write a harmony line, creating a duet. For the melody, you could use a nursery rhyme OR the Music: Count Us In song. EXTENSION: Explain how notes fit into chords. Ask students to write another duet, using only notes from each chord, and compare for the two duets.
WSOC & 2MBS Young Composers Award due 1st June, 2011
The Victorian College of the Arts’ School of Contemporary Music is holding its Song Writing Boot camp for students in Years 10-12 in December.
The week-long boot camp is ideal for teens who are interested in pop song writing, a career in music or just enjoy song writing. It includes daily song writing tasks, skills workshops, guest speakers from the industry and a small concert at the end of the week for family and friends.
The program is facilitated by Geoffrey Williams, an accomplished song writer (including songs for Michael Jackson), who teaches pop song writing to undergraduate students at the VCA. It is being taught at the School of Contemporary Music at the VCA’s campus in Southbank.
For more information about the program including course enquiries and bookings visit www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/songwriting
The history of music from Medieval to post WW II. Presented as text and related YouTube video/audio clips. A series of lessons, in effect!
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