What does the Skype Session look like? Before: Determine your goal: “Meet the Composer,”
“Virtual Rehearsal,” or something else? • Discuss the process components for composing and draw connections to the writing process with your students.
• Have students use their music to formulate questions, aligned with the process components for the composer. Use a tool such as Google Forms to collect student questions.
During: Have your full ensemble (or class) participate
in the Skype Session. • Discuss composition process. • Perform sections for the composer. • Receive feedback from composer. • Ask questions.
Post: Student Reflection using Google Forms.
• What did you learn during the Skype session today? • What will I take to my next practice session?
How do I set up a Skype session?
• Google the composer or other expert and go to their website.
• Email them. Most are open to this type of interaction! Scott Watson, Brian Balmadges, Chris Bernotas, Steven Bryant, and Alex Shapiro are just a few composers who are willing to collaborate via Skype.
• If the composer is no longer living, you may be able to contact family members via a website they maintain. They may be willing to talk with your students about the composer or the context for which the music was composed. Some might even be willing pre-tape an introduction for your concert.
• Another idea from Scott McCarron of Delsea Regional High School in Franklin, NJ is to Skype with another school ensemble. There are a few ways that you can go about this. First, you can connect with a music teacher friend at another school within your state. Second, you could post a request on the NJMEA Facebook page. You can frame the request to connect via a specific song on your concert program, Once you pair up with another teacher, then you could collectively select a song. Last, you could post a request on a Music Teacher Facebook group that is national or international. Connecting with another class or ensemble across the country, or world, would add a whole other layer to the experience.
MAY 2018
Test Run: • I HIGHLY recommend that you schedule a quick “test run” with the composer/expert to confirm that everything will work!
Special thanks to Scott Watson and Jenny L. Neff for sharing their expertise and allowing their work to inform the thinking behind this article.
Shawna E. Longo is the General Music (Music Technol-
ogy) teacher at Hopatcong Middle School. She also serves as the district’s Arts Integration Coach & STEAM Facilitator. She is a clinician and consultant for music education, arts integration, and STEAM. She is also a recipient of the 2018 NJMEA Mas- ter Music Teacher Award and 2016 Governor’s Educator of the Year for Hopatcong Middle School.
What tech will I need?
Room Set-up: • Large space with everyone visible via Web camera connected to computer/tablet
Video Set-up: • Video (VGA) output of the computer or tablet on which you are running Skype connected to a projector (with large screen)
• Use “full screen” mode and have your device (camera) facing the center of the group so that the composer can see everyone as he/she talks to them
Audio Set-up: • Connect the stereo audio output of the computer/ tablet to a sound system
• Recommendation – use a good USB microphone (Blue Microphone’s “Snowball”), placed on a microphone stand at the front/center of the room
• Cost – typically ranges from FREE to $500. Just ask upfront!
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