Musical Pathways

Objective

Students will research and analyze opportunities for continued musical engagement after high school.

Duration

75 minutes

Class Size

15 students

Grade

11 & 12

Curriculum Level and Area

CA Education Standards, Standard B4: Connections Beyond the Classroom

Materials

• Laptops/Computers with internet access
• Projector
• Whiteboard and markers
• Pens and notebooks
• Handouts detailing musical career pathways

Key Points

1. Importance of networking
2. Ongoing education in music
3. Various career pathways in music

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Welcome the students and briefly explain the objective of today's lesson.
  • "Today, we will explore various avenues to keep your passion for music alive and thriving beyond high school."
  • Write the session's key points on the whiteboard.
• Students’ Activity: Discuss in pairs what they perceive as possible musical engagements post-high school.
• Assessment: Brief, informal sharing of thoughts from pairs.

2. Research Activity (20 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Divide students into groups of 3 and assign each group a topic to research:
  1. College music programs
  2. Community ensembles
  3. Private music teachers
  4. Online music courses
  5. Music internships and apprenticeships
• Students’ Activity: Using their laptops, each group conducts research on their assigned topic, focusing on opportunities available, required qualifications, and benefits.
• Assessment: Teacher circulates among groups to provide guidance and ensure productive research.

3. Presentation Preparation (20 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Provide each group with handouts on effective presentation skills.
• Students’ Activity: Groups prepare a 3-4 minute presentation summarising their findings. They should include:
  • The types of opportunities available
  • Specific examples
  • Steps necessary to pursue these opportunities
  • Benefits of these opportunities for their musical growth

4. Group Presentations (15 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Facilitate the presentations by ensuring each group presents within the time limit and allows for a couple of questions from peers.
• Students’ Activity: Each group presents their findings, followed by a short Q&A session.
• Assessment: Active participation in presentations and Q&A.

5. Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Lead a class discussion on what was learned today.
  • "Which opportunities are you most excited about and why?"
  • "How can you start preparing for these opportunities now?"
• Students’ Activity: Share thoughts and identify at least one opportunity they are interested in and why.
• Assessment: Reflection notes in their notebooks.

6. Conclusion and Homework (5 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Recap the lesson’s key points and explain the homework assignment.
  • Homework: Each student will write a 1-2 page essay on one musical opportunity they researched, including how they plan to pursue it and the expected benefits.
• Assessment: Essays to be submitted in the next class.

Assessment Criteria

• Quality of group research and presentations
• Active participation in discussions and Q&A
• Reflection notes
• Homework essay (completeness, insight, planning)

Teacher’s Notes

• Align the presentation topics with student interests where possible.
• Encourage students to consider both traditional and unconventional musical pathways.
• Provide additional resources or contacts for students who express a strong interest in certain opportunities.