Fundamentals of Playing in a Band (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Objective

After completing the course, you will have familiarized yourself with the basics of playing in a small band, the most common band instruments in elementary school, and how to apply them in your own teaching work. You recognize the different levels of your musical competence and understand the importance of continuous learning in developing and maintaining musical competence. You remember the importance of ergonomics and hearing care and are able to utilize them in your work. You will be able to identify basic phenomena related to group dynamics, interaction and group formation and will be able to utilize your own personal and musical strengths in band activities. You have the basic skills to teach elementary level music groups and to work as a teacher in general. You are familiar with learning guidance and assessment in terms of practical teaching work. You know how to act in a work community, and evaluate your own and others' skills constructively, inspiringly and realistically. You can use and utilize appropriate music streaming services as part of your studies, as well as record, edit and share audio recordings with a mobile recorder. You know how to produce appropriate learning material suitable for elementary school band groups and act responsibly in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Content

In the course, you will get to know the most common band instruments in elementary education, as well as material adapted and composed for different ensembles, and you will practice applying them to your own music group teaching situations. You will produce learning material suitable for elementary school band activities, and you will familiarize yourself with the available appropriate digital teaching applications.

Location and time

Finnish Music Campus. Half-year implementation. Band instruction will be held in the music campus premises. Seminars 2 x 90min will be held for the fall groups in September -25 and for the spring groups in January -26. Exact times and location will be announced to those registered for the course.

Materials

Sheet music for band instruments, literature related to group dynamics, learning material related to the basics of band playing, the basics of the general curriculum for basic arts education in terms of band playing.

Teaching methods

Seminars, learning assignments, band rehearsals, independent work

Student workload

Seminars 4h, ensemble practice hours 16h, peer assessment 25h, independent work 50-75h, portfolio work 5h.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Approved:
You know how to function as a member of a band group and apply the use of band instruments in your own teaching. In your learning tasks you demonstrate that you understand the operating principles of band playing at an elementary level. You have become familiar with the most common band instruments, their basic teaching methods and teaching materials, and you are able to utilize them in an applied and purposeful manner under the guidance of a music group. You have basic skills for teaching an early childhood music group and working as a teacher in general. You know how to evaluate your own work and competence, as well as that of your students in practical teaching work. You also know how to evaluate the activities of others in band group work constructively and realistically.

Qualifications

You are familiar with the basics of music education and you understand different concepts of learning in connection with learning music. You understand the importance of curricula as the basis of teaching.

Further information

Assessment methods include assessment by the supervising teacher, peer assessment, and self-assessment.