Getting the Extra Right is really important for Music Teachers. We want to ensure that our students continue to learn outside the classroom & continue to enjoy music. Extra Curricular programmes will vary from school to school and not everything is possible. This blog will give you a load of ideas that you might like to think about in your setting.
Tips for your Extra Curricular Programme
- It needs to be inclusive. If you have a policy that everyone needs to be Grade 5 and do an audition then you are unlikely to reach that many people. Some schools are lucky and have lots of people that fit that criteria, but here in Windsor it is different. My Orchestra meet twice a week at 7.45 a.m. Early eh! Why that early I hear you say. Well if I try and do it after school I will have to compete with sport or revision sessions – who do you think is going to win that battle. Anyway, that was an aside. My orchestra is open to everyone. If you can hold an instrument and you prepared to get that at that time then you are in. So if they are all there I have 85 boys, nearly 10% of the school in one room. It is exciting and fun. The repertoire is accessible and fun and it is completely inclusive. Choir is the same. If students are prepared to be there and turn up then I am prepared to make sure it works for them.
- Make it worthwhile – you need a goal, a concert or event. Make sure that you have a termly or even half termly concert so that students are always working towards something and parents see the benefits.
- Fun – yes, fun, that is allowed and we must make sure that students enjoy rehearsals. Stop every now and again and chat about something or have a joke. Don’t pretend you are the LSO and just make sure that rehearsals are benefiting everyone.
- Make sure you can SAY YES. What I mean by this is you need to ensure that your groups are in a position to perform at the drop of a hat. If SLT come along and ask for music at something, make sure that they can have it. If someone important is visiting the school or there is an important local event then just make sure that you have something ready. Prepare for background music, music that can be played over and over. My Big band played up at Legoland the other day. So we arranged “Everything is Awesome” quickly and we also have an extensive repertoire. Playing for 90 minutes was therefore a breeze – and literally it was as it was so flipping cold!
- Get parents onside and communicate with them constantly. Make a parents Facebook page, get an email contact list and just keep them well informed about everything.
- Make good links with the community – businesses, town centre managers, the rotary etc. Not only will they support you financially but you will also get more exciting opportunities thrown your way.
- Be consistent. Rehearse year in year out. Not seasonally. Keep going through exam, maybe just take one rehearsals out or have one whole week off of everything.
- Get top students to arrange music – it saves money and they love doing it.
- Variety – try and do as much as you can, but also don’t do things for the sake of it. If you can’t form a good chamber group then don’t bother, especially if you already have a good jazz group. Work to the strengths of your students. But also get students running groups under your supervision.
- Get good links with you music Hub. This is crucial. Book a meeting with whoever runs an area that you want to develop.
- Make rehearsals public – make sure staff and students can see what you are doing and hear what you are doing. Every morning the school is filled with music! It is a great start to the day.
- Build community in the groups. Organise trips or socials, order pizza before a concert! Make sure that they actually feel a sense of belonging.
- Use performances in the groups to contribute towards GCSE and A-Level coursework – saves time and brings credibility to what you are doing. And it shows younger students that they can do in the future.
Get students involved
Ultimately students want to get involved and belong – make sure that music is open to all and that it impacts the whole school. If you get the extra right then you will see numbers go up. Students will learn instruments if they can see something they can genuinely get involved in. Every year students start learning and that is because they want to get involved, play in concerts or come on the music tour. Don’t rule anyone out!
Why is Getting the Extra Right important?
Just a few thoughts on the Extra and here is a reminder of why, because lets face it, all of this takes time:
- Increased uptake at GCSE & A-Level
- Larger and more varied ensembles – that benefits the students & the staff
- The ability to say yes – ROYAL Appointment.
- A department to be proud of and a job that you enjoy and love.
- A timetable that is full of music lessons – 2 gcse classes in each year for us.
- A happy SLT with a listening and supportive ear.
If you have any questions about any of this then do get in touch.
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