Type: Creativity, Ensemble Building
Procedure:
VERSION 1: Traditional Orchestra
1. Divide the class into groups of 3 or 4.
2. Have the groups sit in sections across the stage like an “orchestra”.
3. Choose one student to be the “conductor”.
4. The “conductor” should stand in front of the stage facing toward the “orchestra”.
5. Have the conductor assign each section an instrument (i.e. violins, trumpets, percussion, flutes, harp, cellos, etc.) If necessary, explore what each of these instruments sound like.
6. One by one, the conductor will point at each section to test out the instruments.
7. Then the conductor will turn around and announce to the audience “The next piece we will be playing is called [Swimming in December]” (He/she can make up any name he/she chooses)
8. The song begins. Each time the conductor gestures to a particular section, the performers will make sounds of their instrument. When the conductor raises his hands high, the volume of the performers increases. Hands low, the volume decreases.
9. The song ends when the conductor raises his hands and quickly closes his fists.
10. Then the whole orchestra stands and takes a bow.
VERSION 2: Orchestra of Emotion
1. The setup is just the same as above, however instead of playing a specific instrument, the sections are playing a specific “emotion” (i.e. joy, fear, confusion, stress, anger, excitement, etc.)
2. The sections should make sounds that reflect that emotion.
3. It’s not necessary to have a title for each song in this version as it may confuse the emotions, simply test out songs using different conductors.
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