Symphony Research Presentations
Matthew Etherington
Matthew_Etherington@Milton.edu
Milton Academy
TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:
Multimedia
Productivity Tools
Level:
Middle School
Class:
General Music
Equipment:
PC or Apple computers with an internet connection and web browser Microsoft PowerPoint
Duration:
45 Minutes
Prior Knowledge and Skills:
Basic knowledge of PowerPoint, Basic Computer/Web browing skills
NAfME standard of 1994 Addressed:
NAfME standard of 1994: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
NAfME 2014: Responding
NAfME standard of 1994: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
NAfME standard of 1994: Understanding Music in Relation to History and Culture
NAfME 2014: Connections
Materials:
Internet bookmarks, such as: http://www.music4education.com/greenleaf/symphony.htm
Objectives:
A pair of students will research one instrument from the Symphony Orchestra online. Students will create PowerPoint presentations of their findings which they will present to the class. Students will present text, images, and audio clips for their chosen instrument. Students will increase their awareness of orchestral instruments and instrument families. Students will learn how to insert audio files into PowerPoint Presentations.
Procedures:
Timeframe: 4-6 lessons of 45 minutes each. Brainstorm instruments of the orchestra on the board and talk about instrument families. Assign pairs of students and have them research ONE instrument online (encourage a mixture of instrument choices within the whole group). Bookmarked links provide a valuable starting point (http://www.music4education.com/greenleaf/symphony.htm). Students should summarize findings using text, images, and audio clips (a good time to discuss copyright issues and plagiarism). Student pairs should present their PowerPoint slides to the group and be prepared for questions about their instrument.
Evaluation:
Summative evaluation of PowerPoint presentation at end of project.
Follow Up:
Plan a trip to see a Symphony Orchestra performance. Ask students to compose melodies for their chosen instrument, then try the same melody on a different instrument (using Garageband or similar). Compare similarities and differences.
Items to Purchase:
None (assumes access to PowerPoint and Internet-ready computers) Concert Tickets (for follow-up)
When budget should be submitted:
Unknown
