Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
21
A few examples...
Since most of us “have to see it
before we can be it,” here are a few
YouTube™ videos that highlight
some creative ways your music
students might “reach beyond”
where they thought they could go
in making a bigger impact with
music in your community:
“Capes for Kids”
Franklin High School, TN
“Music-Grams”
Gulf High School, FL
“Used Instrument Donation
Drive”
Iliahi Elementary School, HI
“Pop-up Concert/Coffee House”
Lawrence High School, NJ
“Bucket Drum Line Play-a-long”
Corona del Mar HS, CA
“Tuba Christmas”
Williamsport Area Schools, PA
“You Conduct Us” (High School)
Ashley High School, NC
“You Conduct Us” (College)
Penn State Chamber Orchestra, PA
“You Conduct Us” (Professional)
by Improv Everywhere
2013/09/24/conduct-us/
“Flash Mob Sing-a-long”
San Marcos High School, CA
“Glenwood Guitar Music Project”
Glenbrook North High School, IL
Note:
When you create a
summary video of your project and
upload it to YouTube™, consider
how both the Franklin High School
and Glenbrook North High School
videos share a bit more as to
how,
what and why
they did their
projects. This background detail
will also help others who want to
do what you did too.
Make It a Movement,
Not Just a Project
Ideas like “You Conduct Us,”
“Flash Mob,” “Tuba Christmas”
and many others, are becoming
more of a movement vs. just a
one-time project. Perhaps that’s a
good way of mentally picturing
what you’re doing. You’re really
creating “a movement,” not just
“a project.” Leading by example,
bringing more people in on it,
and making it easy for others to
follow all play an important part
in creating a movement. Derek
Sivers, a professional musician who
created
CD Baby
in 1998, which
went on to become the largest seller
of independent music online, did a
2010 TED Talk worth sharing when
it comes to leadership in action:
Derek Sivers: How to start a
movement
Adapt vs. Adopt
As with anything in life,
adapt
the ideas to your situation, your
program, and your community.
Don’t just
adopt
what others have
done. Make it your own version
of what others have done. During
our Texas Bandmasters Association
session, everyone had a chance to
add his or her ideas to the mix. We
ended up with over one hundred
different ideas on 3x5 cards,
prioritized by the participants, and
shared with everyone in the room.
Consider creating a Trombone
Choir Christmas, or a drum-
with-us drum circle play-a-long,
or perhaps a Children’s Hospital
Kazoo Band.
Tips to keep in mind!
There are a few elements of
interaction that make what you do
musically magical. Consider these
best-practice suggestions as you
guide your students in planning
their next random-act-of-kindness
community out-reach experience:
• Obviously bring music making
into the project as much as possible.
• Let projects be student-led
with you (or other adults) serving
as “guides on the side” asking
questions that’ll inspire students to
learn-by-doing.
Making a Bigger Impact with Music In Your Community
