S1E1: Setting Goals for Guaranteed Growth and Learning

Why repertoire selection is important

We discuss:

How repertoire forms the basis of the teaching and learning that goes on in our rehearsalsHow repertoire communicates what we value as educatorsHow this may be our musicians' only exposure to this genre of music

Setting Musical Goals

The importance of planning a year aheadThe impact of setting long, medium and short term goalsWhere is your ensemble now? What skills do they currently have?Where do you want them to be in 12 months?What skills do they currently have?What skills & knowledge do they need to build to progress to the next ensemble or their next destination (college, community, music advocate/appreciator)

Where are they at now? Making A Skills Inventory

Download the Yearly Skill Development Planner Template and and fill it out for your ensemble!

How to inventory the incoming skills and abilities of the ensemble across 6 areas:

Musical - technical skills (keys, dynamics, rhythms etc), theoretical knowledgeEnsemble - internal pulse, intonation, balance, blendListening - balance, blend, knowing how and where to listenHuman - communication within ensemble, constructive feedbackBehavioural - attentional control, not playing/speaking over others, concert etiquette, presentation skillsLife Skills & Knowledge - attitude, perseverance, confidence, performance under pressure

Where do you want to go? Setting Long to Short Term Goals

Set long term goals for your ensembles for the end of the yearPlot backwards from one year in the future to nowScaffold skill development from Point A to Point B

Creating Your Performance Calendar

Download the Performance Calendar Template

Add Performance details - date, venue, context, audience, music neededAdd in rehearsal schedule - how many rehearsals for each performance, beware overlap between performances, public holidays, time between performances, special eventsProgress Accelerators - rehearsal camps, extended rehearsals, tours, contests, honor bands, workshops, guest cliniciansProgress Decelerators - academic exams/testing/assessment, public holidays, snow days, emergencies, illness periods eg. winter, holiday periods, breaks between rehearsalsAdd in musical goals - allow buffer room, be ready to perform at least one rehearsal earlier than you think you should, have non-performance elements ready at least 2 rehearsals before the performance

Benefits of this process:

No surprises!Always being prepared for each performance (both you and the ensemble!)Build in contingencies for common issuesMonitor progress throughout the year - keep track of where you areKnow at a glance where you are at any point in the year

ACTION STEPS

Download the Yearly Skill Development Planner Template and fill it out for your ensemble/sDownload the Performance Calendar Template and fill it out for your ensemble/s

Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction

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Ready for more? Keep your learning going with:

Online Courses, including Conducting Bootcamp

Books, including Planning Effective Rehearsals

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