Opening the First Day of Music - An Elemental Conversation with Anne Mileski

Today I’m chatting with my good friend, Anne Mileski about opening routines. We’ll focus on opening the music class during the first weeks of school and beyond.

Let’s jump in!

 
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Opening Routines to Prepare the:

Physical space 

  • Classroom spaces

  • Music is learned with the body - prepare body musically

Emotional Space 

  • Entering with a smile, eye contact, and a song

  • Positive behavior re-direction when necessary

  • Setting the tone for divergent thinking

Social Space 

  • Welcome song, eye contact, and a smile

  • Assigned spots 

  • Name game 

Musical Space  

  • What music will we walk into? Is it pre-recorded? Is it us singing? If it's recorded, is it pop, classical, jazz, reggae, gamelan ensemble, Oaxacan marimba quartet? Is it current pop or classic?

  • Echo rhythms, echo melodies 

    • In later classes I have a lot of ways to mix up these warm ups. Right now the answers are probably all convergent 

    • Echo rhythms in younger grades: beat motions 

    • Echo melodies: melodic contour using the body 

  • Sing together 

The Root Goal:

Get to the core - what are we doing here? We’re making music with people. So let’s get to that right away.