NAA Presentation Outline

Vision
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“Regardless of cost or other obstructions, if I could do ANYTHING I wanted as a music
educator, what would I do?”
Vision
•
“Regardless of cost or other obstructions, if I could do ANYTHING I wanted as a music
educator, what would I do?”
•
My personal desire is to enable my students to be musically expressive from the first lesson,
while setting them up for a lifetime of musical growth.
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Of all the options I can imagine in my wildest dreams, the accordion continues to be the best
choice tool to accomplish this.
ACCORDIONS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING
Spotlight on H.C. Carleston Elementary School, Pearland ISD, Texas
Brian Berlin
www.PearlandISD.org/webpages/BBerlin
BerlinB@PearlandISD.org
(713) 249-2978
Vision
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They keyboard layout is the most logical for teaching beginning music theory
Accordions are…
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The Best Choice for teaching keyboard in a general music education space
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Portable – students can use them in the classroom, stage, and community
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Culturally relevant – Tejano, Cajun, Zydeco, Czech, German, Irish, Scottish, Italian, French,
and increasingly featured in popular music
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Social – Accordions play well together and with other instruments.
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Wireless, compared with classroom wiring needed for a traditional keyboard lab
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Chromatic, making them more preferential than Orff mallet instruments
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Uncomplicated – students with five fingers can play five notes perfectly the first lesson
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Road Map
Road Map
Questions to ask
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“Where am I now?”
Vision: All third and fourth grade students will regularly play the accordion as a part of music
class. Fourth graders will perform on the accordions (and sing) at their end-of-year concert.
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“What is the logical sequence of steps needed to make my vision a reality?”
Baby Steps:
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More pleasant in the hands of a beginner, vs. beginning band and orchestra instruments
Road Map
Philosophies
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Accordions are as normal as any other instrument.
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They are not novelty instruments.
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They are not obsolete or throwbacks to a bygone era.
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They are universal to all modes and genres of music – classical, folk, sacred, and popular.
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Accordions are cool. As much as I may personally admire them, I do not show the kids
Myron Floren, Lawrence Welk, Weird Al Yankovic, or Steve Urkle.
Permission
Funding (continuous)
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Trial Group
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Accordion Awareness (and hype)
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Philosophies
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Implementation
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Other Keyboard Instruments
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Scope
Road Map
Road Map
While building the instrument inventory, supplement with other keyboard instruments.
Scope
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Synthesizers
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Five-Finger Songs (for now)
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Melodicas or Melodians
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No Bass (yet)
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Pianos
Funding
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When buying instruments for the classroom, ask for a discount. Hohner was gracious enough
to sell accordions for use in the classroom at a significantly-reduced price. Hundreds of students
will go through the program each year. Many of those will eventually want instruments of their
own to take home. By giving students the opportunity to try them, they’re building their future
customer base.
Instrument Considerations
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The instrument we mainly use is the Hohner
Honica (12-bass, two octaves G-G).
Melodicas
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Supplement the accordion fleet
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Straps – IMPORTANT – Hohnicas come with
a traditional buckle strap. For class sets of
accordions, you MUST replace the factor
strap with an adjustable strap similar to a
student’s backpack. Plan to spend a plenty
of time helping students adjust straps.
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Hohner “Instructor 32-B”
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Priced near $40
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Melodicas can be louder than accordions
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Mouthpiece sanitation needs to be factored into
your routine. I’ve enlisted the help of the
cafeteria crew. They run the used mouthpieces
through the school dishwasher on the silverware
basket.
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Melodica handle screws break
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Condensation corrodes reeds. Limited lifespan.
Ask everyone you know for money. Most will say no. Some will say yes.
• Administration and PTA
• Clubs
• Grants
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We own two 48-bass accordions. They’re
too heavy for all but the largest 4th graders.
Avoid in the lower grades.
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Repairs
• Fundraising: DonorsChoose.org
• Self funding – In the beginning, if you want to make it happen, you may have to foot the
bill.
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Ask every accordionist you know for instruments.
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It’s alright to begin the program with less instruments than you’ll ultimately need. Sharing is ok!
Instrument Considerations
Instrument Considerations
Accordions
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Bellow straps unscrew regularly
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Sunken bass buttons
Instrument Considerations
Instrument Considerations
The Dot
The Learning Space
The Learning Space
The Learning Space
Maintain a playing area of 3’ by 3’ per student, though students may have to share music stands.
Storage
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A quick way to help 300 students quickly and
correctly place their hand into the right position
on the keyboard is to place a sticker on the G
key. Their music has a dotted hand print sign
which tells them which finger to place on the
sticker key.
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If a sticker is discovered missing during class, I
use an oil pencil (China marker) to redraw it.
The Learning Space
The Learning Space
The Path
In the end, do the best with the space you have.
The Music
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Palmer-Hughes Accordion Course Book 1
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Palmer-Hughes Band Book 1 (harmony parts for the course book)
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Palmer-Hughes Recital Book 1 (Same level, more & better tunes)
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Consider alternate locations. School stages often go unused for months at a time.
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The Music
Backing tracks are available! See Shelia Lee, Heritage Arts, Pasadena, TX
1st Band Book by Anthony Aretta
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On Stage Book 1 by Aretta-Rodionoff
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Adapt other sources (band, piano, recorder music)
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Finale 2014 has a fantastic scanning function and supports notehead names.
The Rehearsal
The Rehearsal
Establish expectations before instruments go into student hands.
Plan rehearsal time wisely. Don’t underestimate the
time needed to do non-musical things, such as
getting and putting away instruments, adjusting
shoulder straps, and putting away instruments.
The Rehearsal
The Future
The Future
Remember that music is fun!
Future of my program
Teachers: Future for your students
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Momentum continues
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More instruments and more fundraising
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More performances, perhaps even a local parade (playing on a float or trailer)
Parents: Future for your child
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Students self-accompanying student singing in the concerts.
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Beyond elementary school
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Students enjoy their time making music and desire to continue into band or choir
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Piano lessons (Many have expressed an interest in this)
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Continuing with the accordion
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Perhaps the band program may find a place for accordion in its ensembles. One of the high
school band directors is an accomplished accordionist.
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Think about your teaching situation. How might accordions be integrated into your instruction
What school opportunities are available to your child? How can the accordion be a part of it?
Questions and Thoughts?
Brian Berlin
www.PearlandISD.org/webpages/BBerlin
BerlinB@PearlandISD.org
(713) 249-2978