Expanding Pop Program
Do
Find a way to filter out a drumset so musicians can hear themselves and each other. Use in-ear monitors when you can, or a wired headphone amp.
Use main speakers instead of guitar/bass/keys amps. It allows you to hit mute for a quick connect with the group and deters constant dweedling. Buy amp simulators for your guitars.
Fill the stage with bodies to build stage confidence and keep the stage full of life. Pick songs that call for lots of people.
Think about transitions between songs. Work on them. Build in something prepared.
Be gentle with feedback. With more ownership comes bigger soul from the students.
Think about your own biases brought into the classroom and who is around to help tear them down.
Find easy songs. Spend lots of time actively listening to find good music for students. Start with Fleetwood Mac. CCR. The easy tunes are those four chord songs with two or three sections of the song total keep in mind anything with brass or string arrangement is going to be more intricate and unless you’re doing that in the show it’s never gonna sound the same. Remember, once 1990 hit lots of things went digital, so pre-1990 can be easy to emulate.
Find a college vocal student or a current student who can start hearing and identifying background parts and recording them.
Keep an archive of everything you do.
Don’t
Be thoughtful about how you utilize students, create space for safe fails and guided leadership.
Ask students to perform at lunch as an entry-level performance. Performing for their peers is terrifying. Have them perform at a feeder program or for parents/teachers instead.
Use technology unless you’re willing to learn how to troubleshoot it yourself.
Force students in specific groups because they’ll be more productive.
Give scale tests. There, I said it.