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 and Edward Barnes 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