Emilia Kister

Oct. 31, 2004

Project #4 ≠ Middle School Lesson Plan

(Intended for 8^th Grade)

OBJECTIVE:

∑ The students will be able to understand the basics of reading a full orchestral score.

∑ The students will be able to follow one part in the orchestral score.

∑ The student will write out (on Sibelius) the individual part of an instrument.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this lesson is to further enhance the students musical vocabulary though the use of words like: symphony, conductor, key signature, time signature, score, orchestra, all note durations, all musical instrument names, etc. Also to further advance the students understanding of a symphony orchestra and the process of working in a large ensemble, the importance of listening to each other to create a final product.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Computer lab with Sibelius

Orchestral score of Beethovenπs Symphony #5

Overhead projector

CD player and recording of Beethovenπs Symphony #5

ANTICIPATORY SET:

As students are walking into the room a recording of a Beethoven #5 is playing. Teacher asks student if they can guess how many instruments are playing? How does each instrument know which part to play? How does the conductor know who is playing what and when?

PROCEDURE:

1. An overhead of the score is displayed.
2. Students take a look at the score. What instruments play the theme first? Second?
3. A brief discussion of the score is held.
4. Class listens to the opening of the first movement again, this time following the score.
5. Students are given the first few pages of the orchestral score of the opening of Beethovenπs Symphony #5.
6. Teacher explains that today they will be able to choose which instrument they want to play in the orchestra.
7. After choosing their instrument, the students are asked to go to their computer and open Sibelius.
8. Teacher explains that they are going to transcribe the part of their instrument from the full score.
9. Teacher and class set up the key and time signature as a class.
10. Students that are not as advanced, or do not feel confident will be given the choice to work with a partner.
11. Students begin to transcribe from the full score to their Sibelius reduction.
12. Teacher walks around and checks student work.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:

Once the students are on the computers, the teacher will walk around to check if the students are working in the right format. A few minutes into the process, the teacher stops the class to ask a few key questions such as: ≥If you are playing the _______, are you playing in measure ____? Teacher asks one question for each instrument that was chosen in the class.

CLOSURE:

Files are saved, so that they can be finished in the next class.

EXTENSIONS:

In the next class, students will finish their transcriptions and print them out. We will then go back to our regular classroom and attemp to sing the opening of the symphony by representing our instruments. After a little practice a conductor will be chosen to conduct the opening of Beethoven #5 with our human voice orchestra.