Foundational Ensemble Curriculum

Introduction

 

The Música Franklin Foundational Ensemble consists of two main components. The Singing Ensemble is led by Gloria Matlock and includes singing, drumming, body-drumming, and step-dancing. The Strings Ensemble is led by Bekka Eowind in Greenfield and Annierose Klingbeil in Turners Falls, and it includes violin, viola, cello, bass, and some singing. Both courses are supplemented weekly by a Social Justice Discussion during Singing Ensemble and a Listening Session during Strings Ensemble. Students are also invited to participate in a semi-private lesson once per week to strengthen their technique on a string instrument.

 

Singing Ensemble

 

Learning Goal 1: Students will be able to sing the correct pitches in tune.

Skills:
Matching pitches in the appropriate range and vocal register

Unison singing

Executing diatonic scales on predetermined syllables

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Learning Goal 2: Students will be able to memorize and sing the correct lyrics.

Skills: 
Actively listening to song demonstration

Reading and writing lyrics

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Learning Goal 3: Students will be able to memorize choreography.

Skills:
Clapping on the appropriate offbeats

Mirroring demonstrated dance steps

Correlating lyrics to movement

 

Learning Goal 4: Students will be able to play with rhythmic accuracy.

Skills:
Recognizing patterns

Developing hand independence

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Learning Goal 5: Students will be able to engage in call-and-response.

Skills:
Actively listening to short phrases

Reconstructing short phrases impromptu

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Learning Goal 6: Students will be able to demonstrate professionalism on stage.

 

Skills:
Announcing the songs and their composers

Leading the ensemble

Respecting the audience by focusing on the performance

Limiting distractions

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Learning Goal 7: Students will be able to perform with emotion and dynamics.

 

Skills:

Following the director’s cues

Identifying how to sing strongly or softly

Analyzing the meaning of the lyrics

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Learning Goal 8: Students will be able to think critically about social issues.

 

Skills:

Respecting others

Engaging positivity

Practicing honesty

Sharing the spotlight

Respecting the cultures and religions of others

Cooperating with each other and the community

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Strings Ensemble

 

Learning Goal 1: Students will be able to play the correct pitches in tune with proper technique and posture.

 

Skills:

Demonstrating playing position

Maintaining violin height

Plucking open strings

Maintaining the correct bow hold

Keeping a consistent bow/string contact point

Using the forearm to control the bow

Left hand finger placement

Hearing, identifying, and vocalizing the desired pitches

 

Learning Goal 2: Students will be able to play with rhythmic accuracy.

 

Skills:

Starting together

Using appropriate bow speed

Counting and maintaining the tempo

Conceptualizing the rhythms

Subdividing the beat

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Learning Goal 3: Students will be able to engage in call-and-response.

 

Skills:

Actively listening to short phrases

Reconstructing short phrases impromptu
 

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Learning Goal 4: Students will be able to perform with emotion and dynamics.

 

Skills:

Following the director’s cues

Controlling bow speed

Applying appropriate bow weight

Considering the intention of the composer

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Learning Goal 5: Students will be able to demonstrate professionalism on stage.

 

Skills: 

Treating the instruments with care

Standing in performance rows

Sharing a stand

Announcing the songs and their composers

Demonstrating playing position

Leading the ensemble

Retreating to rest position

Taking a bow

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Learning Goal 6: Students will be able to identify various instruments and diverse musical styles.

 

Skills:

Actively listening to and watching other musicians

Relating to musical performances

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Repertoire Units and Discussion Topics

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Singing Ensemble

 

Unit A: Spirituals

 

Unit B: Kwanzaa Principles

 

Unit C: World Music

 

Unit D: Protest Songs

 

Unit E: Carols

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Strings Ensemble

 

Unit A: Standard Beginner Strings Repertoire

 

Unit B: Jazz and Pop

 

Unit C: Fiddle Tunes

 

Unit D: European Classical Music

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Social Justice Topics (partial list)

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• immigration and compassion toward refugees

• peer pressure and bullying

• equality

• importance of education

• housing & homelessness

• responsibilities of youth

• food justice

• youth voice

• kindness and caring about friends

• environmental justice

• fairness

• Nguzo Saba

 

Listening Material (partial list)

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• Esperanza Spalding

• Bobby McFerrin

• Flor de Toloache

• Randall Goosby

• Itzhak Perlman

• The Kanneh-Mason Family

• Angelique Kidjo

• Snarky Puppy ft. Susana Baca and Charlie Hunter