Are you wanting to do performances or programs with your students, but it seems a bit “tricky” this school year? Or, maybe you don’t want to put on a performance since navigating through the ins and outs of teaching music this school year is tricky, but you’ve been asked by your administration to do something. In this blog post (and podcast episode 127), I’m sharing some simple ideas to help you with putting on musical performances during COVID-19.
Record your students making music
During the 2020-2021 school year, making music with your students looks a bit different. But, with that said, you’re so used to thinking outside the box and making the main goal to still create music with your students. One of the easiest and most effective ways to put on a music performance during COVID-19 is to record your students making music. There are different ways you can do this easily and effectively.
1. Record the kids singing without their faces and put it with a slideshow.
When you take photos of record your students singing on video, you need parental permission. This pertains to anything to do with media in the school, not just in music class. An easy way to still record your students singing and without showing their faces, is to simply record their beautiful singing voices. Then, you can put that underneath a slideshow of lyrics or a theme (like flags or pictures of different U.S. landmarks for a Patriotic program.) You can even record different classes of the same grade level singing different verses while everyone sings the chorus together.
2. Record what students are doing in class (similar to an informance)
There are different types of programs and performances. What you do in a “typical” school year is up to you and your administration. You might like to mini musicals, large scale performances, programs, or informances. An informance is basically when you showcase what the kids are working on in music class to the parents and any other staff who want to come watch. An easy way to share a performance with families this school year is to record what the students are working on, no matter if you’re teaching music in person or virtually.
Do something besides singing
A HUGE part of teaching elementary music is putting on some type of singing performance. Not only that, singing is a large part of what you do in the music room as well. While putting on musical performances during COVID-19, your students may not be able to sing. This may have stopped you in your tracks all together and made you think you couldn’t put on a performance this school year at all. That’s simply not the case. Your students can put on a performance that doesn’t involve singing. You just need to be creative and think of other ways.
1. Do a performance of just instruments, body percussion, or movement
If your students can’t sing, then think of all of the other ways they make active music making when you see them. You’re not just a singing teacher, but a music teacher. There are so many other things you can showcase your students doing when it comes to learning music. You can have them play instruments, do body percussion, or show a dance or movement activity they’ve been working on. Then, share what each class is doing with the other classes and families by posting it to your school website or Google Classroom.
2. Host a virtual talent show
If you want to showcase what your students are doing, but they’re all learning music virtually, then you can put on a virtual talent show. Keep things as simple as possible. If they’re learning virtually, send a track home with the students to practice with and have them submit an individual performance of their choice and you can then share it to Google Classroom (or whatever else you use) so the other students can see it. You can share a musical track with all of your students and given guidelines, see what rap, added verse, instrument, or movement they can come up with to put on top of it.
But, I want to also say this. If you don’t get to do performances this year or you’re feeling overwhelmed just trying to stay on top of navigating teaching music, then it’s ok to not do programs this year.
Your students are performing each and every time they meet with you during music class, whether it’s in person or virtually.
They’re experiencing music, which is always the main goal.
But, if you are wanting to do some type of performance with your students this year, hopefully you’ll find a few of the ideas I shared with you helpful.
How are you putting on musical performances during a COVID-19 school year? Tell me about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post. I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it too.
P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!
Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career. You can get your copy here.
