by Cecilia Diaz

Created on: May 17, 2008

Ten Steps for a Shining School Music Program

Schools often need music programs for their students to perform either for the public or for a PTO meeting. This can be a monumental task for the inexperienced music teacher. If the teacher follows these ten easy steps, he or she can have a nice program to allow the students to shine.

Choose a theme for your songs. They should all have a common theme. Examples may include all folk music, music from your state, music from around the world, Christmas or other holiday music, jazz, or any other collection of songs.

Create a dialog for the play. It may be information about the next song, the theme or it may be a storyline, including characters, a problem (with a solution) or character's attitude change.
The dialog should enhance the storyline and connect one song to the next song.

Rehearse the music. Rehearsal techniques should include attention to correct pitch, rhythm, diction, projection, style and musicianship for the songs.

Rehearse the dialog. For the speaking parts, careful attention to diction, projection, body movement, and creating believable characters will captivate the audience.

Add choreography. Adding choreography to the songs will make the performance more interesting to watch.

Add instruments. Adding instruments to enhance the accompaniment will create opportunities for students who do not have good vocal technique to be involved and not feel left out.

Choose costumes for the students to wear. They may be as simple or as elaborate as funding will allow. Students may bring them from home or create them in class. Sometimes a few parents who are good tailors may be invited to volunteer their time to create costumes. All costumes should be ready to go at least two weeks prior to performance, to allow for necessary changes.

Decide what the stage will look like and add decorations and props. Again funding will decide on how elaborate they are.

Create a program for the audience to follow. Include the performing students' names, names of songs and a thank you section at the end to all the people who helped. Talented art students, either with their freehand artwork or with computer-generated work may create covers.

Finally, send invitations to the performance to important people from the school district and to the parents. Allow the students to make posters advertising the performance. Posters should show who is performing, when, where and what time the performance will take place. Posters may be displayed around the school or even around the community.

So, if you are in charge of presenting a music program at your school, don't worry. Just follow these ten easy steps and let your students shine.

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