The clinician will introduce a modified World Music Drumming ensemble as the foundation of several creative, age-appropriate, pedagogically sound activities. Participants will understand the tone and texture of the ensemble, and how the modified parts preserve the integrity of the original ensemble while being accessible for PreK-Gr 2 students. This hands-on session will incorporate in-class learning/exploration and performance options. Participants will explore “illustrating” children's story books with sound: the modified drumming ensemble, unpitched percussion, sound effects, movement props. Activities will focus on instruments, props, and accessories found in a basic elementary music room. Additionally, participants will explore a children’s song with drumming, movement, a sound poem, and an additional verse. Activities will address musical concepts such as timbre, form, dynamics, improvisation, and cues; as well as non-musical skills, such as turn-taking, listening, sequencing, and problem-solving. Activities are accessible and don't require any specific training to bring to elementary music students.
Target Audience
PreK and early elementary general music teachers (teachers of Prek-2nd grade primarily)
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Melissa Blum
West Music
Melissa Blum, Executive Vice President of West Music, has over 30 years’ experience teaching music at the preK-adult levels. Melissa has been a member of the World Music Drumming Faculty since 2009, creating and teaching Drumming Up the Fun! and related workshops for teachers of children ages 3-8. She developed the curriculum for Sing & Play & Learn Today!, West Music’s early childhood music and movement program. Melissa has facilitated World Music Drumming ensembles as a team-building exercise at a variety events for children and adults, and is a frequent clinician for music conferences, Orff workshops, daycare/preschool providers, public school professional development, and ECMM educators on the topic of incorporating developmentally appropriate music activities in the pre-k through elementary classroom setting.