Guidelines for class performances - edited

imasinger ↓

Fri, Jun 05 2009, 3:24 pm

NB: I've revised this based on the input.

I'm a music teacher in several schools, and I always feel bad when I see a class that is not prepared properly for performance, because a) it's stressful for the teachers and the kids, and b) it doesn't show off the class to their best advantage. I'm thinking of sending out a note in the fall that offers some guidelines for a successful performance. I'd love some input -- please tell me what you think!

Here's what I have so far:

Dear Teachers,

Every year, there are many classes that have either a desire or an obligation to perform for the parents. In order to keep this performance as stress-free and successful as possible, here are my suggested guidelines for planning your show.

1. Start now, before the school year! If you have your basic performance(s) planned, you can always add or subtract as the year goes on, but you probably know already what kinds of things you would like your class to do, and what they will be capable of doing.

2. Figure an approximate date. It can be within a few weeks' time frame, but you should have a general idea.

3. Plan how long you will need to rehearse your show in order for your students to be confident. Consider how many rehearsals you will be able to do -- daily? Twice a week? -- and how long their attention span will last. If your performance will be accompanied, plan at least 6 practices with the accompanist -- the more you have together, the better the end result will be.

4. A few pointers that classroom teachers may not know:

- Unless you are teaching high school, your voice is probably lower than your students' voices. They will sound best and most comfortable if you teach them the songs in their range rather than yours.

- Children have a limited range. Choose your songs accordingly. If it has a high part and a low part, it's probably going to be uncomfortable for preschool or kindergarten. You wouldn't choose a song that had too many words, or too difficult words for your students. Why choose a song that has a difficult tune for them? They will not find the singing to be as profitable or enjoyable. Let it wait until they are old enough.

- Limit the number of songs your children will be singing. More is not necessarily better. If you want help planning age-appropriate guidelines, I'm happy to assist.

- Plan to spend plenty of class time reviewing the songs.

- Plan time to work on standing on a stage (or in the front of the classroom, or whatever), so that the experience is as familiar and comfortable as possible when there is an audience. You will need extra time doing this a) the younger the class; and b) the more complex your performance.

- If you have made your plan at the beginning (or have it from previous years) as above, and are not sure as to how early to start, and how to reduce the stress for yourself or your students, please consult with me early.

- If you are assigning solos (not for young children at all), then consider the singing ability of the students before handing out the parts. Teachers often assign singing parts in plays based on classroom cooperation or acting ability. This can put an unfair burden on the child.

Performing can be a wonderful experience, and an unforgettable way to help your students remember the highlights of what you have been teaching. Make it as positive as it should be! Remember --it is really not necessary for children to perform. If you want them to do so, you owe it to them to teach them well, so that they have maximum confidence and competence. Saying "it's just a little thing for parents", and then not offering proper support is unfair to the shy children and to the less confident singers, as well as to yourself and the class as a whole. Plan it carefully, and everyone will win.

I look forward to a wonderful year together.

Last edited by imasinger on Sun, Jun 07 2009, 9:02 am; edited 1 time in total

Raisin ↓

Sat, Jun 06 2009, 6:44 pm

sorry, some of these points would put me off making a performance at all. I am not a choir or theatre director, I am a teacher, and while it is nice to have a good performance, I don't think it should take away from other learning.

I am planning a performance now fro my students, mainly acting, a couple of songs, and I sure hope none of the parents watching have your attitude.

de_goldy

Sat, Jun 06 2009, 9:39 pm

Agree with Raisin.

Also - I think the number of songs you wrote is WAY too many.

I would say Age 2-3 and 3-4 should not be more than 3 songs maximum. and age 4-5 could be maybe 4 songs.

I wouldn't say ANY age should be doing 13 songs. that is utterly ridiculus.

and parents are coming to watch their children perform and enjoy themselves - not to see a professional choir.

↑ imasinger ↓

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 9:06 am

OK, I've revised this based on the input.

Clarissa ↓

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 9:31 am

I'm missing that gene. The one where I'm thrilled to see my kid singing with his class. I'd rather be invited to class sometime and see them playing or doing a project. Standing and singing with a group isn't so exciting for me. Yes, I think he's cute and I bring my camera. But I never watch the videos.

ValleyMom

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 9:39 am

As a kindergarten teacher I do not believe in solos. Period. It is a CLASS performance... No Divas we are all STARS!!!
As far as rehearsals go... I only do one or two formal rehearsals on the stage. All "rehearsals" are done in my classroom as part of my daily routine. By the time they are "on stage" the songs are just a typical part of their daily lives. I never have any kids with fear... they are all comfortable and relaxed. I also do NOT encourage younger siblings to join the audiance as this is the child's special moment with mom and/or dad.
I put on a Thanksgiving show every year with between 20 - 42 children. The show is always always awesome-- because they are kids... and kids are awesome!

↑ Clarissa ↓

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 9:48 am

ValleyMom wrote:

I also do NOT encourage younger siblings to join the audiance as this is the child's special moment with mom and/or dad.

You mean during the performance? I can't imagine that most people would pay a sitter (about $12/hr. or more, around here) to watch a little kid while the older one performs. I think it's good to take a noisy kid who can't sit still out of the room, but my younger child goes where I go, including to his big brother's school things.

The exception to this is when they have a nanny or daycare already in place. But I'm full-time with the younger kid, so he goes with me. My older child loves this. Nothing makes him happier than to share this with the little one, and come up and see him after.

Tefila

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 11:25 am

My take on all of this is to SHowcase what we have been learning all year in a summarized version. 1.e. with 4 yr olds no more then 3 songs they have learned all year with perhaps one short new one. Actions at this age and lower are more adorable and real then getting them to sing exactly in tune and in line with each other. We wave as we go on stage say 'hello everybody' do our little sing along then I will call each child by name who then pairs up with their buddy and together thanks mummy and Daddy . That it no palava. Oh yea we do wear cutey crowns that they feel proud wearing since they decorated it and all.

↑ Raisin

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 5:06 pm

Clarissa wrote:

even if parents don't enjoy the performance, kids do, and its nice that they learn the songs. (of course, by the time parents have heard said songs sung 17 times per day they don't need to come to a performance!)

↑ Clarissa ↓

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 5:15 pm

That's part of why I go. The other part is that I like seeing my kid do things. But having a class sing three songs doesn't make me as happy as when I go to other things at school, where I actually see the kids doing interesting things.

↑ imasinger

Sun, Jun 07 2009, 6:09 pm

It sounds like there are some wonderful performances out there! I wish I could see them all!

I've been teaching music for over 30 years, and I've seen a lot. I've seen classes that chose not to have the stress of performing, and put their energies elsewhere, I've seen classes that have spent hours on material that would ultimately be used for a performance.

As a mother, I've seen my kids retain memories of pshat and drash in much greater dimension for having done a show, and I've seen what a positive performance can add to those first wonderful memories with chagim, alef-beit, siddur, chumash, and so much more.

Kids are smart. They know when they've done a stellar job, and they remember it for a long time. To me, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

Those of you with experience know that kids can learn gestures if they have enough practice. They can also learn to sing in tune if they have enough practice, and someone who can gently, kindly, help them along the way.

Thanks for all the great input!

sim

Wed, Jun 17 2009, 7:52 pm

As far as I'm concerned, if my 5 year old wasn't picking his nose during the performance and didn't fall off the stage and then comes home happy, I'm fine. LOL

It's great when a preschool performance comes out nicely, but they are little kids. We have to tailor our expectations to that.

↑ Clarissa

Wed, Jun 17 2009, 8:07 pm

sim wrote:

As far as I'm concerned, if my 5 year old wasn't picking his nose during the performance and didn't fall off the stage and then comes home happy, I'm fine. LOL

It's great when a preschool performance comes out nicely, but they are little kids. We have to tailor our expectations to that.

I agree. I went to a friend's daughter's ballet performance, and her kid ran offstage. I said, "At least she wasn't the one standing there, scratching her crotch the whole time."

(psst -- thanks to my friend for letting me know about the typo!)