Grade 6 (Assignment 2/Q1/ 2016/17) - Cover It {GarageBand)

Here's the deal. A big music producer heard through the grapevine that if he wants a cover of a song done, you're the person to do it. He says he's not picky about the song, as long as it's appropriate for his 10 year old niece to listen to with her friends, and something he wouldn't be afraid for his sweet 90 year old grandmother to hear!

Here is the email he sent you two last night.... 

Hey!

Thank you so much for agreeing to do a cover song for my music label. Business has been a bit slow, so we need a real winner to pump into the radio stations. Here are some guidelines that I need you to follow.

1. Appropriate theme and lyrics
2. You must cover 1 full song
3. The song you cover MUST have some kind of an underlying message (political, cultural, etc.) We have intelligent listeners, and they like meaning!
4. There must be at least 3 different layers (for example; guitar, drum kit, and voice)

Well, that's all from me. I really appreciate this!

Peace,
R.J. 

This guy means business, so you only have one month from start to finish.

The song you chose to cover must be approved by me first.

• chose a song
• figure out what chords/notes you will need to know
• do some of the necessary research behind what the song is about
• write up a paragraph on the meaning of the song or why it was composed

All cover songs will be presented to the class.

Below I have listed a few points you will need to present to the class, so start thinking about them now!

• Why did you choose this song? What is its significance? 
• What instruments are in the original version?        
• If you used different instruments than what the original song uses, what did you use, and why? (for example, if the song is originally accompanied by guitar, but you chose to use the piano) 
• What is the song about? What big issues does it touch on in past/present society?
• NOTE

Song Examples 

• Taylor Swift's Album "RED"

- All about her past relationships with Jake Gyllenhal and the Kennedy boy Key 

Cultural Factor: RELATIONSHIPS      

• Eminem ft. Rhianna "Monster"

- Eminem has dealt with bi-polar issues, which this song is entirely about. "The Monster" is the alter-ego he has developed since his early career days (ie. The Real Slim Shady). He's the trouble-making counterpart of Marshall Mathers. The one that the media deems as offensive and vulgar.

Key Cultural Factor: Mental Health    

• The Beatles "Yellow Submarine"

- This quickly became the anthem of the Vietnam War in the 1960's, by the American peace movement talking about peace over green waters and blue skies Key Political 

Factor: Anti-War 

• Green Day "Wake Me Up When September Ends"

- The entire 2004 album American Idiot sings about the shameful Iraq war that the U.S. evoked, and the president that was at the start of it all. Interestingly enough it later became the official tribute song to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane hit just as September begun.

Key Political Factor: Anti-War, Political Figure 

Grade 5 (Q1/L1/2016-2017) - Music Assignment

Students will create a powerpoint, poster, or booklet about one of the following:

1)    the instrument that they enjoy in band

2)     a favorite composer

3)     a favorite performer   

Due September 2nd, 2016

Please answer the following questions for your instrument:

• where  & when did your instrument originate?  
• what was your instrument originally made out of?   
• what family of instruments does it belong to?   
• What other instruments are included in this family of the orchestra?  
• what type of music is played on your instrument?  
• which important composers have written music for your instrument?

Or

Please answer the following questions about a composer or performer: 

• When were they born, are they still living?  
• Where do they live?  
• What style of music did they write or perform?  
• What do you like about this style of music?   
• Why did you choose this artist/composer?   
• What instruments do they play?   
• What type of training did they have?   
• What is your favorite song, and why?

Grade 7 (Assignment 1): Composer Research

For this quarter, we have switched our focus from music theory to music history. As such, students will be looking at the following composers from a variety of musical eras. The composers the students will be studying are as follows:

• Johann Sebastian Bach 
• Richard Wagner 
• Ludwig Van Beethoven 
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 
• Hector Berlioz 
• John Williams 
• John Cage 
• Claude Debussy 
• Frédéric Chopin 
• Hans Zimmer 
• Clara Schumann 
• Joseph Haydn

Students are given the option to choose a composer and are required to prepare a brief 2-page (doubled spaced) typed summary of the composer and their life. In completing their assignment, they should keep the following questions in mind. They are not limited to these questions, but this is a good place to start.

• Who the composer is (give me more than just a name)? 
• When the composer was born? 
• Where they were born? 
• What style of music did they compose? 
• What are some of their most famous works? 
• Why did they take an interest in music? For example, were they born into a musical family? 
• Anything interesting you may have come across and want to share

As part of the two-page summary, students will provide a reflection on one of the composer’s musical works. They are required to choose one piece of music and are to write a reflection based on the seven elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, tone colour, form, tempo, dynamics). 

Finally, students will complete a visual component (preferably a Bristol board) to accompany a short presentation to the class at a later date. This Bristol board will be put on display in the school and classroom for the other students to see. It should contain pictures, and brief bullet points (no large paragraphs please).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. 

Submission Date : February 28, 2017

Grade 6 (Lesson 1/Q4/2015/2016) : Music Composition

1. Use proper manuscript paper to create a 16 bar composition using a tuned instrument
2. Here are the specifications:

• This is a three-part assignment
• Part 1: Composition
• Part 2: Performance
• Part 3: Reflection
• Composition length: 16 bars with all correct staff symbols (Clef, bar lines, key signatures, etc)
• Instruments: This composition will be written for an tuned instrument. You may wish to write an accompany percussion part, however it is not a requirement
• All written music must be ORIGINAL
• You will be assessed on creativity. Write you composition creatively yet playable

1. Here are some details to consider:

• Create a final copy using a music composition software such as Finale, Sibelius, Musescore, Noteflight
• You must submit a completed hard copy of your composition on the due date. A one page reflection will accompany your composition articulating why you chose to write the composition the way you didi, what you liked or were proud of in the composition, and what you felt challenging about the assignment
• you must perform your composition in class for your classmates on an assigned date
• If you have any question, please contact Ms. Carrie A
• HAVE FUN!

1. Follow these guidelines when writing your composition:

• Your composition should start and end in the key of Bb
• The music you write must be at an appropriate level for you as a grade 6 student
• You should use a variety of notes and rhythms
• You MUST include a title, dynamics, articulations (slurs, accents, etc) and a tempo marking
• Hand in your rough work but the due date

Grade 8 (Term 4/L1/2015/2016): Music Composition

We will be studying a little more on composition. You can take a look at the previous blog post and review the concepts of basic musical theory, including time signatures, key signatures, rhythm, and other general characteristics of composing such as note spacing, neatness, bar lines, etc.  

Students are given some lyrics and asked to compose a simple melody to accompany the words.  You need to consider the syllables of the words when putting a rhythm to them, as well as the melody and where it would go.  Students add in stylistic elements such as dynamics to add further character to their composition.

Once the practice assignments are completed, students will be instructed to find lyrics of their own to which they would compose a melody for. Students can search poems online, and many others used passages of Scripture, such as the Psalms, as their inspiration.  Follow the same steps as in your practice assignments – deciding on their rhythm, melody, and style and incorporating them into a composition.  

You can use the piano to help guide their melodies while others used the guitar to hear and plan theirs. Any melodic instruments of your choice can be used. Once you complete a rough draft of your composition, ensure that all elements are accurate, students will meticulously transfer their melodies into the final copy on Noteflight.

Song 1

To believe is to know that

every day is a new beginning.

Is to trust that miracle happen,

and dreams really do come true.

To believe is to see angels

dancing among the clouds,

To know the wonder of a stardust sky

and the wisdom of the man in the moon.

To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,

The innocence of a child's eyes

and the beauty of an aging hand,

for it is through their teachings we learn to love.

To believe is to find the strength

and courage that lies within us

When it's time to pick up

the pieces and begin again.

To believe is to know

we are not alone,

That life is a gift

and this is our time to cherish it.

To believe is to know

that wonderful surprises are just

waiting to happen,

And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.

If only, we believe. 

Song 2

Can you sing a song to greet the sun,

Can you cheerily tackle the work to be done,

Can you vision it finished when only begun,

Can you sing a song?

Can you sing a song when the day's half through,

When even the thought of the rest wearies you,

With so little done and so much to do,

Can you sing a song?

Can you sing a song at the close of the day,

When weary and tired, the work's put away,

With the joy that it's done the best of the pay,

Can you sing a song?

Song 3

It takes strength to be firm,

It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to conquer,

It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain,

It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in,

It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend's pain,

It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to endure abuse,

It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone,

It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love,

It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive,

It takes courage to live.

Song 4

To let go doesn't mean to stop caring;

It means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut my self off...

It's the realization that I can't control another...

To let go is not to enable,

but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness,

which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try and change or blame another,

I can only change myself.

To let go is not to care for, but to care about.

To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge,

but to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,

but to allow others to affect their own outcomes.

To let go is not to be protective,

It is to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to deny, but to accept.

To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue,

but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,

but to take each day as it comes and cherish the moment.

To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone,

but to try to become what I dream I can be.

To let go is not to regret the past,

but to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more.

Song 5

If there is a future there is time for mending-

Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.

Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow-

If you're looking forward to a new tomorrow.

If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping-

When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.

Though the heart is heavy and hurt you may be feeling-

If there is time for praying there is time for healing.

So if through your window there is a new day breaking-

Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul is aching,

If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning-

There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.

Song 6

One word can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream;

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald Spring.

One smile can bring a friendship,

One handclasp can lift a soul;

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One cheer can obtain a goal.

One vote can change a Nation,

One sunbeam can lift a room;

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One look can change two lives;

One kiss can make love bloom.

One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer;

One hope can raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true;

One life can make a difference,

One life is me and you....

Song 7

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- 

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Grade 6 (Lesson 4b/Q3/2015/2016) : Podcasting Assignment

Create the following Podcasts:

1. Audio Podcast
2. Enhanced Podcast

Criteria

• 2-4 minutes in length
• Topics of your choice – Music Education related
• Loops, recorded tracks or imported MP3′s
• Export Audio Podcast as an MP3

How to export a Garageband file to an MP3

1. Click  SHARE
2. Click EXPORT TO DISK
3. Check the box that says “Compress” Choose MP3 for the drop down that says “Compress Using”
4.  Export the file directly to your folder in Google Drive

• Export Enhanced Podcast as an MP4

How to Export an Enhanced Podcast in Garageband

1. Go to SHARE
2. Click EXPORT TO DISK
3. Select AAC ENCODER from the Compress Using drop down
4. Select MUSICAL PODCAST from the Audio Settings  drop down
5. Make sure PUBLISH PODCAST is checked.
6. Click EXPORT
7. Save file to your Google Drive
8. The file will be saved as a m4a format.  You must open the file in Quick Time to view.

Question

• Podcasting has become increasing popular in education today.  Why is that? What are the benefits of having students create a podcast instead of other formats?
• Search online for educators and/or schools that effectively use podcasting.  Explain why you selected those educators and/or schools.

Grade 6 (Lesson 4a/Q3/2015/2016) : Introduction to Podcasting

What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication.

Why are Podcasts so popular?

Podcasts are extremely popular today because anyone can create one with little to no technical ability or cost.

Why the term “Podcast” ?

Types of Podcasts

• Audio Podcast – just audio – no pictures or video included
• Enhanced Podcast – audio and images – no video
• Video Podcast – (Vodcast) video and audio

Equipment Needed to make a Podcast

• Audio Podcast - Audio recording software - GarageBand (Mac), Mixcraft (PC), Audacity (FREE Download Mac or PC) & Microphone (USB, XLR w/M Audio Box)
• Enhanced Podcast – Same as Audio Podcast plus images.  Note: Enhanced Podcasts can not be made in Audacity.
• Video Podcast – Camera, Microphone, Video editing software

Podcast Hosting

• Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/stream
• Podomatic https://www.podomatic.com/login