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Syllabus

Teacher Education
07S:140  Band Methods and Materials
Fall, 2009
Instructors: Dr. Don D. Coffman
Emails: don-coffman@uiowa.edu
Course Web Site: www.uiowa.edu/~c07s140
Course Description

Purpose

This course is designed to prepare the student to start beginning instrumentalists and effectively manage an elementary/middle/high school band program. It is intended for those planning careers as school teachers. The comprehensive nature of the course content surveys the techniques and materials needed for teaching.

Objectives

Planning

1.    Describe the 9 National Standards in music, and devise effective teaching plans that utilize them.

2.    Design curricula for elementary, middle school and high school instrumental groups based on appropriate performance literature.

3.    Describe age-appropriate music literature and method books.

4.    Plan a concert of appropriate length and content.  Identify "trouble spots" in the scores that would need attention during rehearsals and suggest remedies.

Presenting

5.    Describe/demonstrate how to teach a beginner through modeling, imitation and playing by ear. Identify and correct embouchure/posture/hand position problems.

6.    Suggest appropriate responses to motivation & discipline concerns.

Evaluating

7.    Demonstrate various assessment procedures for cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains.  Defend grading philosophy.

Administrating

8.    Describe successful methods of recruitment/retention.

9.    Describe important issues involving administration of band inventory, fundraising, trips, etc.

10. Describe strategies for public relations.

11. Discuss broader educational issues that impact music education.

Required Readings
  • Cooper (2004). Teaching Band & Orchestra: Methods & Materials, GIA Music.
  • Miles & Dvorak, (2008). Teaching Music through Performance in Beginning Band, Vol. 2, GIA Music.

    • Focus Standards and Student Assignments

    StandardsStudent Assignments
    C: Planning Instruction

    Theme Concert. Plan a “theme” concert for an 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th grade band or orchestra.  Let you imagination run wild.  Common themes are focusing on a culture, historical era, geographic region.  But how about color, weather, numbers, cities, animals, transportation, courage, emotion, musical form?  The program should contain 4 level-appropriate pieces (in other words, justify your choices).  


    Develop a strategy (specifically, a unit plan) for integrating learning about the music and learning about your chosen “theme,” (i.e. learning about the culture, era, or region).  What information/concepts would you like the students to learn?  How will you accomplish this goal within your normal rehearsal schedule?  Prepare this unit plan reflecting the National Standards and patterned after Garofalo’s Instructional Designs text (on reserve).  Prepare all necessary handouts for students.

    Design a program for the concert.  There should be a program cover (with school name, date, concert theme), program notes, a roster, and anything else appropriate for a program (information to boosters, concert schedule, etc). Discuss concert preparations and logistics prior to the concert date as well as the day of the concert.

    Complete a mock Purchase Order for the 4 tunes.
    D: Instructional Strategies As part of this unit plan, write a detailed lesson plan for a rehearsal (specify grade level) of 55 minutes. Include two of the National Standards (not #2 or #5). Consult the Strategies for Teaching…MENC books on reserve for format.  Prepare “Rehearsal Notes” (see Teaching Band & Orchestra chapter6) for one tune.
    E: Learning Environment Classroom Management assignment
    G: Assessment

    Prepare 3 assessment tools to measure student (a) performance skill, (b) knowledge, and (c) attitudes for this theme concert.