 
Session One - Playing Fundamentals.
In this session members of the Archipelago Project will brake up the students into different sections depending on their instrument: Brass, Woodwind, Percussion. (Can also be divided into sub-sections like High Brass, Low Brass, etc..) In each individual section, each teaching artist will discuss and demonstrate different warm-up, breathing, tonguing exercises and general technique questions that address the students’ specific instrument. The purpose of this session is to give students a better insight into how to better improve their practice habits and increase their playing ability. It also allows them to become more focused, have individual time on their instruments and ask questions. As a result, this helps in playing their instrument.
Session Two- Building a Rhythmic Vocabulary
In this session, members will address how to develop a better ability to accurately read and play advanced rhythms. It will address how to keep a more steady tempo. The session will be lead by the percussionist of the Archipelago Project. In the session there will be exercises with big flash cards that have different rhythms on them. The first part of the exercise will be discussing the subdivision of the rhythm and any hidden tricks to help the students read that rhythm. The students will then clap the rhythms that are on the cards.
Session Two, Part Two: We take the flash cards and make it into a game where we present different rhythms and make the students clap the rhythm. If a student makes a mistake he is out. The goal is to be the last student standing. Members of the Archipelago Project will watch the students and pull out the ones that make a mistake. The Rhythms on the cards will progressively get harder. If there is any confusion in how the game is played, members of the Archipelago Project will do a demonstration game.
Session Three - Ear Training and Basic Theory Concepts
In this session, members of the Archipelago Project will discuss with students the basic building blocks of music like scales, intervals and chords. The emphasis is put on that almost all music is based on some type of scale or interval relationship. The better one can understand and facilitate that on their instrument, the easier it is to read and play the music on the page.
Session Three, Part One: Teaching artists will explain exactly what an interval is by clearly explaining half steps and whole steps. Then an explanation will be give on how to identify specific intervals by ear and how that will improve their ability to play music by ear and play with better intonation.
Session Three, Part Two: Teaching artists will then help students better understand that scales are nothing more than a set order of intervals. Artists will briefly introduce the concept of modes to more advance students(High School), which will help inspiring improvisation students.
Session Four - Improvisation
In this session, teaching artists of the Archipelago Project will discuss and demonstrate what improvisation is and how to begin improvising. Teaching artists will discuss the importance of all musicians, not just jazz musicians in exploring improvisation. Teaching artists will demonstrate different ways of improvising like free improvisation, modal improvisation, and more standard improvisation. Teaching artists will give students basic scale exercises and patterns to get students started. This sessions will also stress the importance of listening to great Jazz musicians to develop a basic vocabulary. Students will participate in fun and simple call and response exercises to get them to use their imagination and express themselves.
Session Five - Using Technology in Music
In this session we will discuss how using different music technology like CDs, computer software, and the use of amplifiers with orchestral instruments can help their playing.
Example 1 - Show students how using intonation CD’s and dictation software can help develop their ears and better improve their intonation. A member of Archipelago will demonstrate this and bring up students to try it to see how it works.
Example 2 - Show students how they can work on solos with Smart Music and Finale Software. A member of Archipelago will play a solo with the Smart Music software.
Example 3 - Show students how you can use different things like guitar amps and distortion pedals with their instruments to create new and exciting sounds. Members will demonstrate by playing a song for electric trombone with tape accompaniment.
Session Six - Listening-Music 101
the session, members of the Archipelago Project will have a discussion with students about listening to different types of music. Each member of the group will tell the students what types of music they like to listen to and some of their favorite artists. The students will participate by being asked questions on their musical preferences and why or why not they like a certain style of music. Members will stress the importance of listening to many styles of music and the value of doing so. They will also provide students a list of music and artists that they think are important in checking out.
Session Seven - Music History
In this session, Archipelago Project artists will briefly discuss with students the pieces of music that they are currently working on. Teaching artists will explain to students that having some basic knowledge of the piece; its form, why it was written, even the basic history of the composer and why he might have written the composition, can better help you understand the piece and how to approach it when playing it. Teaching Artists will also stress that having these basic tools of form and history of the composition can help you enjoy more complex pieces of music that they may not have understood or liked before.
Session Eight - Music after High School and Life as a musician
In this session, members of the Archipelago Project will discuss with students the possibilities of playing their instruments in college or in community ensembles. We will inform them that even if you don’t major in music, that there are plenty of playing opportunities in college that could lead to scholarship money to go to school. We will also inform them of the different career possibilities that exist in the field of music. We will also discuss with students what it has been like for us as professional musicians and discuss all of the different playing opportunities we have had. We will stress to them the benefits of playing all styles of music.
| 
Brief caption describing this image goes here
|
|
 
Musical Petting Zoo
This in-community activity consists of presenting one of Archipelago’s projects, the Musical Petting Zoo, at one of the elementary schools in the district where we are doing the high school residency. High school/middle schol students will assist us in presenting the different instruments to the elementary children. This is a perfect a teacher in-service because it can demonstrate to the High School’s band teacher and elementary school’s music teacher a way that allows young students to get close exposure to the orchestral instruments and how they sound, creating excitement and desire to play an instrument. It is a great recruiting tool for the High School teacher.
Joint Concert with High School Students and The Archipelago Project
This in-community activity is a joint concert for parents and the rest of the community to experience what the students have learned from the residency. The first half of the concert will consist of one or two members of Archipelago soloing with High School band and Jazz Band. It will also consist of one or two small chamber pieces with members of Archipelago and students. The second half of the concert will consist of the Archipelago Project playing a few pieces by itself. Select students will get a chance to sit in with the Archipelago Project for one tune. Again, this allows students to experience what it is like to prepare for a professional performance, while displaying their hard work to their respective communities.
| 
Brief caption describing this image goes here
|
|
 
This is just a sample plan to give the teacher an idea of how the activities may take place. A specific schedule will be composed to fit the daily schedule of the school’s band program. The daily schedule will include master classes along with regular ensemble in order to prepare for the final concert. Here is an example of a schedule from our Cathedral City High School Residency in Palm Springs, CA. (This was a week residency) A Two week residency would allow for more flexibility and allow the Archipelago Project to spend some time at the Middle School and Elementary schools.
Proposed Schedule, Archipelago Project
Monday :
9:20 – 10:05 Symphonic Band – Freshman and Sophomores:
In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
10:04 - 10:17 – Brunch.
10:23 – 11:07 – Jazz Band – Master class:
Improvisation Lecture and Jazz Study Discussion/Combined Rehearsal.
11:13 – 11:57 –Symphonic Band – Juniors and Seniors - – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
12:03 – 12:47 - Percussion Ensemble – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
1:30 – 3:00 - District – wide Master classes – (Woodwind/Brass/Percussion) at CCHS.
3:00 – 4:00 Vocalise Rehearsal.
Tuesday :
8:30 – 9:30 – Jazz Band Observes rehearsal of Archipelago group at CCHS band room. Question/Answer Session Follows.
9:50 – 10:45 – Symphonic Band – Freshman and Sophomores – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
10:50 – 11:45 – Jazz Band – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
11:45 – 12:20 – Lunch – Guest Soloists performance at band room for band students.
12:25 – 1:20 – Symphonic Band – Juniors and Seniors– In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
1:25 – 2:20 – Percussion Ensemble – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
2:30 – 4:00 – Full Symphonic Band Rehearsal/Vocalise Rehearsal.
Wednesday :
9:50 – 10:45 – Symphonic Band – Freshman and Sophomores – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
10:50 – 11:45 – Jazz Band – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
11:45 – 12:20 – Lunch – Guest Soloists performance at band room for band students.
12:25 – 1:20 – Symphonic Band – Juniors and Seniors– In class sectionals/ “mini masterclasses” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
1:25 – 2:20 – Percussion Ensemble – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
2:30 – 4:00 – Full Symphonic Band Rehearsal/Vocalise Rehearsal.
Thursday :
9:50 – 10:45 – Symphonic Band – Freshman and Sophomores – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
10:50 – 11:45 – Jazz Band – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
11:45 – 12:20 – Lunch – Guest Soloists performance at band room for band students.
12:25 – 1:20 – Symphonic Band – Juniors and Seniors– In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
1:25 – 2:20 – Percussion Ensemble – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
2:30 – 4:00 – Full Symphonic Band Rehearsal/Vocalise Rehearsal.
Friday:
8:00 – 9:30 – Full Symphonic Band Rehearsal at Band room.
9:50 – 10:45 – Symphonic Band – Freshman and Sophomores – Observed rehearsal/Lecture on Music Career/Study Opportunities.
10:50 – 11:45 – Jazz Band – – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
11:45 – 12:20 – Lunch – Guest Soloists performance at band room for band students.
12:25 – 1:20 – Symphonic Band – Juniors and Seniors– Observed rehearsal/Lecture on Music Career/Study Opportunities.
1:25 – 2:20 – Percussion Ensemble – In class sectionals/ “mini master classes” on CCHS Band literature and playing techniques.
4:30 – CCHS Band Students set theater for concert.
6:00 – Concert Report Time for CCHS Band Students
7:00 – CCHS/ Archipelago Project at CCHS Theater.
| 
Brief caption describing this image goes here
|
|
