Summer School Work
Northern Ireland teacher David Millar shares his experiences of setting up a successful guitar summer school…
For many tutors the summer months provide a welcome break from teaching. However, it is also a time when income can be reduced as normal teaching schedules are restricted. Summer School work is one way of resolving this by providing an intensive period of teaching over a reduced number of days. In the N. Ireland region, schools close for summer holidays during both July and August. Myself and fellow RGT tutor Mickey Murphy were approached by the music service from our local education authority (Southern Education and Library Board), whose primary focus is on orchestral instrument tuition, to provide a guitar option for their annual summer school - here is how we went about it.
Planning & Preparation
Mickey and I had met before through the RGT but had not actually played or taught together before - however, both knowing the RGT syllabus was a great benefit. The Summer School accommodated over 200 students with about 26 opting to do guitar. Once we had received their details we divided them into two groups depending on age and playing level.
Aims and Objectives
Defining what we hoped to achieve for the students was an important starting point:
• To provide a practical learning experience for guitar students
• To demonstrate and promote an appreciation of different guitar playing
techniques and styles
• To provide performance opportunities for solo and ensemble guitar players
• To have fun!
Structure
Developing a structured programme was the next step. Although having a structured programme for a Summer School is important, just remember that you do need to be prepared to be flexible to react to different situations arising and make adjustments accordingly.
Each day started with an "Inspirational Tutor Demo" where we combined the two groups and played together to demonstrate a range of guitar styles - this was a good way of getting everyone enthused at the early part of the day.
Day 1 - "Blue Moon" - fingerstyle acoustic guitar.
Day 2 - "A blues improvisation" - electric guitar.
Day 3 - "Cavatina" - duet for classical guitar.
Day 4 - "Ensemble playing" - violin and guitar.
The next period was with the two split groups of students and was the session in which the main part of the teaching occurred. We had prepared in advance the material required for this at the appropriate playing standards. This session included a mid morning break and then continued until lunch time.
Just after lunch in a warm classroom is probably hardest part of the day to teach in and maintain concentration levels, so during the next session we combined the two groups and used the following activities for variety.
Day 1 - "Video Vault" - a guide through some of the greatest guitarists
using DVD/video clips.
Day 2 - "Guitars and gadgets" - a demo of a variety of different
instrument types and effects units.
Day 3 - "Learning aids demo" - a look at different materials used
in guitar education.
After an afternoon break the students were divided into small cluster groups
of 3 or 4 to practice together what they had been taught in the morning
sessions.
Performances
The fourth (final) day of the Summer School focused on performances. We wanted
to integrate into the other activities and instruments in the Summer School
and so, in the tutor demo during the morning, we combined guitar with violin
played by one of the string tutors.
Next with the two guitar groups together, a little performance session was
held where the students played what they had been taught during the week
for each other. This was very informal but provided a good sense of encouragement
when they applauded each other.
After lunch all the students assembled in the main hall to listen to one
of the student orchestra big band ensembles perform (with some tutor added
guitar parts).
Learning Experience
An important part of a music Summer School is getting the students to interact with each other. Using activities like name memory games, my favourite music is., etc, help the individuals in the groups get to know each other and greatly contributes to their enjoyment and learning experience.
Everyone enjoyed their week immensely and we have already been booked by the music service for next year's Summer School.
