Setting up the Studio Computer Lab

Technology and music is a huge area for growth as far as music teaching goes. I recently transformed my old office laptop into a music computer lab.

I downloaded various cool (and free) apps from Ubuntu's software center, including:

• Audacity

• Linthesia

• Score Reading Trainer

• GNU Denemo

• GNU Solfege

• Hydrogen Drum Machine

• Linux Multimedia Studio

• Virtual Midi Piano Keyboard

• Musescore

Generally, I zoomed in on apps that help students with note reading practice, ear training and rhythm work. The music notation software and audio recording software is to give them something fun to create.

One student was tickled pink that he earned three Maestro Bucks for creating a funky drum loop (and tutored his sister on how to use the program).

Revamping My Student Incentive Program

After several years of running "Maestro's Musical Quest", I've come to the conclusion that my student rewards program needs a complete overhaul.

This is what I've learned with Maestro's Musical Quest:

1. Most of my students found it very hard to maintain a practise diary. Many couldn't be bothered with it. Some hated it.

2. Quite a few students detested logging their minutes.

3. My students got discouraged when they saw that they weren't earning as many Maestro Bucks (to spend at Maestro's Market) because they didn't maintain their practising diary or get their parents' signature and basically gave up on the program.

4. The Top Dogs (Most Minutes Practised, Most Tasks Cleared, Most Maestro Bucks Earned) weren't necessarily practising efficiently.

I came to the sad realization that my practise incentives rewarded students for practising inefficiently. That is something I do not want to keep doing. Having a system that frustrates students isn't something I want either. Having said this, I still want them to be accountable for their work. It really made me think about what exactly I wanted to reward and inspire in my students. 

I decided to focus on four main areas: technical proficiency, music mastery, leadership/initiative and efficiency/meeting goals. The first three are Top Dog categories, re-branded as: "Technique Savvy", "Music Mastery" and "Music Maestro".

Technique Savvy:

Students will earn $2 Maestro Bucks for each technical element they master.

Music Mastery:

Students will earn $25 Maestro Bucks for each five songs they master. Memory is optional. Perfection will NOT be stressed at all. The main thing I want to reward is proficiency.

Music Maestro:

Students will earn $3 Maestro Bucks each time they do something above and beyond their assignments, e.g. do a concert report, compose a song, do a music review, help out as a recital assistant, do a composer report, present an independent study or work ahead on their own.

For those who are wondering, student prize that "costs" $100 Maestro Bucks costs me $1.00 to buy. Prizes are in $25, $50, $100, $250 and $500 amounts. I have gotten some requests for a $1,000 MB category as my students really like this one squishy exercise ball (which costs me $10).

The three Top Dogs will be awarded at the year-end Top Dog party, which all students (and pets) will be invited to attend (Note to self: find out if the neighbourhood park is available).

Mastery will also be rewarded through the

Gig Card

program. Perform 20 times and get a prize.

Goal setting, milestones and accountability are addressed with the

Goal Setting Sheet

. We'll work together to set their short-term, medium term and long-term goals:

On the reverse side, there is a spot for

End-of-Semester Checkpoints

. Both sides of the sheet must be signed by the parent, student and teacher.

The "assignment sheet" has been renamed "Learning Goals for the Week" to support the shift towards more goal-oriented practising habits versus practising for X minutes.  The Practise Diary? Gone. The Practise Log? Also gone. Parent signature? Not required. All I ask of them is to check off which days they worked towards meeting their learning goals. They will earn $1 Maestro Buck for each goal cleared.

Truth be told, my own Practising "Diary" is just a To Do List for that session. I don't log minutes. I stop when the job is done. I stop when I need a break. I change my strategy when something isn't working.

This is the heart of what I want them to learn - to make the best use of their time, whether they have 10 minutes or 60. Then when they do perform, wherever they perform, they can do so with a high level of proficiency and artistry.

© Rhona-Mae Arca, 2012.

All rights reserved.

Drowning in Music Lesson Planning

Once again, summer has flown by. My big list of summer projects? Pfft. Don't ask me about them and we'll be fine.

I'm currently in the throes of planning the group class schedule for my music studio. One idea launches into another idea and so forth and so on. The result is that I can barely get my ideas committed to paper (or in this case, the screen) quickly enough.

I'm quite excited about the activities that I have nailed down so far. Thanks to the staff at Caffe Crema, our first Studio Winter Music Showcase will be held there. My students will perform a set of contrasting selections. They will have to script their patter. I can hear them now, "It'll be like, a real gig!" Well, yes, kids. You'll be performing in public, so it will be a real deal gig. They'll have two "Open Mic Days" at my studio to get a feel for it all.

The year-end recital has been booked too. We have a few things planned to make it less recital-ish.

My students also be heading off-site for a few studio events too. So far, St. John's Music and Steinway Pianos of Calgary are booked.

But now, it's back to planning for the music group classes happening next week. My brother will be teaching my students about all the multimedia projects they'll be working on throughout the year, while I'll be doing a few interactive workshop-style classes with his students on practising, conducting and rhythm.

I suppose I should get back to figuring out why Libre Office refuses to print my handout with my stick-girl conductor properly.

© 2012 by Musespeak™. All rights reserved.

Calgary August Music Festivals 2012

There are quite a few summer music festivals coming up in August, here in Calgary. Here is just a sampling of what's ahead:

Inglewood Sunfest (August 4): This annual event in Calgary's historic Inglewood is free. You can listen and watch various street performers, check out the local vendors and enjoy some great food.

Afrikadey (August 5 - 11): This annual festival celebrates the culture, traditions and music of Africa. This year's event features performances by Alpha Yaya Diallo, Emmanuel Jal, MFive and more. Tickets are available on the Afrikadey website.

Calgary ReggaeFest (August 15 - 18): In addition to live music by international Reggae musicians, attendees can enjoy food, arts and crafts and the beer garden. There are also plenty activities for children and youth, including basketball, sand magic and face painting. Featured artists include Amoy, Bryan Art, Cherine Anderson, Chester Miller, Hawkeye, Jermaine Cowan, J.k. & the Relays, Makeshift Innocence, New Kingston, Redeye Empire, Roots Syndicate, Souljah Fyah, and Ultimate Crew. Tickets are available for purchase from the event website.

Other festivals worth checking out include the Marda Gras (August 12), GlobalFest (August 16 - 26), and ExpoLatino (Aug. 24 - 26) . You can be sure there will be some live music to enjoy!

Special Note from Maestro: Fellow canines, be sure to check out Marda Gras! I scored lots of swag the last time I went. I also listened to some great jazz.

© 2012 by Musespeak™. All rights reserved.

Calgary Summer Music Festivals 2012

One of the many great things about summer is that it's festival season. There are countless opportunities to explore different styles of music while relaxing with family, friends and pets.

Here are some music festivals worth checking out this month:

Fiestaval Latin Festival (July 21 & 22):Come out and listen to Quinteto Alegria (International Latin Jazz), Colombia Ramiro Padilla y su Tropa Vallenata, Orquesta "The Latin Combo" and more at this free multicultural arts and entertainment festival.

Calgary Folk Music Festival(July 26 - 29): "Folk" music encompasses such a wide range of music. Check out the Latin jazz of Renato Borghetti, the "alternative indie pop rock" strains of Jeff Stuart & the Hearts and the "electric, indie, pop" sound of Little Scream. Headliners include Chris Isaak and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Calgary International Blues Festival (July 30 - August 5): Enjoy the exciting Afro-Cuban rhythms by Eddie 'Devil Boy' Turner, the rock-jazz-classical fusion of Lighthouse, award-winning artist Shirley Jackson & the Good Rockin' Daddys and many more.

Maestro's one piece of advice for four-legged music aficionados: Most festivals don't allow pets on-site. However, the nice thing about music is that sound carries, so he joins other furries in listening from the other side of the fence.

© 2012 by Musespeak™. All rights reserved.