Wed. 10/5 - Some Amazing Projects Are Taking Shape

The symphonic band and wind ensemble both worked on their Google 20% projects today; these students are coming up with some amazing projects. One trio of students wrote lyrics to a song, put chords and a drum pattern to them, and performed it for me. I was REALLY IMPRESSED! This would be a song I could hear on the radio or on youtube in the very near future!

Students were learning new instruments (the ukelele is a popular choice), making new instruments, arranging music for pep band, writing reviews of songs, playing in a rock/funk group, teaching other students how to play various instruments, composing, etc. It is great to see the satisfaction on the faces of the students tackling this project with such enthusiasm. Although there were only a very few students that were not using their time wisely, overall today was a smashing success.

The biggest challenge is finding places for students to go. After all our practice rooms, hallways, and dressing rooms were filled, students just went to a corner or spot in the band room. If you can get passed the fact that it's not perfectly quiet in the room (with all sorts of music happening), it actually worked very well.

I am encouraging students to post these projects on their blogs so that others can check on their progress; video/audio links, pictures, etc.

 Looking at our stats on our blogs, we have view coming as far away as Russia! One of my students was so excited that someone from Germany was checking out their blog.

I am posting pictures that I took today of various students and their projects.