Band Director needing Elementary Curriculum advice

[nafmeadmin]

I am currently a Middle School and High School band director, part time, at a small private school. I have 11 years experience total, but none have been with Elementary School. I am certified K-12 Music. Our lower school music teacher is retiring and the entire program, K-12, has been offered to me as a full time position. I have never taught lower school music so I am looking for advice on curriculums. We have a very limited, almost non-existent, budget. I am looking to create a more grounded program, which should help boost my band program. The Lower School music teacher has never used a curriculum, in fact she was a retired elementary language arts teacher who loves music. She was hired before I came to teach elementary music but had limited background. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[nafmeadmin]

I would highly recommend Kodaly training and resources by John Feierabend. The Kodaly training will be helpful in working with children’s voices and learning folk song material. I took several classes from John Feierabend and the First Steps in Music curriculum for grades K and 1 is wonderful! He has modified the traditional Kodaly sequence in his Conversational Solfege program, which I also use and like very much. Best wishes!

[nafmeadmin]

I would second what gileml219 said. I was in the same boat a few years ago. Kodaly and the Feierabend materials are great. John Feiereabend also has to training dvd’s out that can be purchased. The good thing about them is that you can watch over to review material if needed. It is available at http://www.giamusic.com

[nafmeadmin]

Thank you both so much! The school year is underway and I am learning as I go. I have had several of the elementary classes already and they seem to be going well. I am going to be integrating the Kodaly and will definitely check out John Feiereabend.

[Author]

Posts