Teaching Plan for Middle School Band – 6th Grade
Fanfare and Fugue
Anne McGinty
Queenwood Publications (POP) Available in the Developing Band Book #1
Broad description of piece
This piece is based on a brief opening fanfare, the complete four-voice fugue is not only fascinating to play and hear, but also offers the chance to teach this form.
Elements of Quality Music
Form – fugue
Rhythm – primary motive, Additional technical challenges of syncopated rhythm
Melody – 1 – 5 perfect fifth – melody predominant
Harmony
Timbre/texture – changes with voices
Expression – dynamics change as voices enter
The “Heart”
Syncopated rhythm along with the qualities of the melody, fugue form and the independent nature of individual parts
Teaching the "heart of the piece" using different learning domains and teaching strategies
Introducing the piece, the hook?
Skill Outcome
Students will understand, demonstrate and identify syncopated rhythm
Strategies:
- compose melody
- improvise using syncopated rhythm
- clapping call and response
- use current pop music analogy
- use visual examples, short/long
- warm-up activities
Knowledge Outcome
Students will analyze form and describe the structure of melodic intervals.
Strategies
- Listening examples of various figures
- Learn fugue terms by singing a song about fugues
- Fanfares examples, discussion of uses
- Warm-ups using perfect 5th
- Practice melody all together, then work for independence
- Compose a melody using 5th
Affective Outcome
Students will describe their favorite part of the piece and use terms from the compositional device that shaped the student’s opinion or influenced their choice. (Why)
Strategies
- Listening/sharing of their favorite musical styles
- Discussion of forms previously presented
Assessments