Reopening Plans & School Music Programs

Memorandum to District, CMO and School Administrators

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MEMORANDUM

To: NOLA-PS, CMO, and School Administrators

From: Artist Corps New Orleans – Music Education Advisory Panel

Subject: Reopening Plans: School Music Programs

Date: July 30, 2020

Note: This memorandum will be updated regularly at this LINK, based on emerging research and best practices. 

Amid this unprecedented time in education, Artist Corps New Orleans has assembled an advisory panel of music educators and music education advocates to assess the safety and logistics of providing music education to New Orleans students. We have come to one unified and exciting conclusion: 

Music education is not only possible as schools reopen – it’s more essential than ever. 

We recognize that:

  • Music education is essential to the academic and social development, health, and well-being of New Orleans students 

  • Access to high quality music instruction is an equity issue, and we must ensure continued opportunities in music for all young people

  • Safety of students, teachers, school staff and families is the highest priority

  • Music educators are highly skilled and responsive practitioners, ready to meet the challenge of this moment

With these guiding principles in mind, K-12 music education can and should move forward. 

The recent decision to begin the school year with distance learning means we can utilize proven strategies for online instruction before returning to in-person and blended learning settings. Please review the general recommendations below and reach out to Jonathan Bloom, Sr. or Sonya Robinson, Artist Corps Co-Directors, for further guidance or to connect with the Music Education Advisory Panel. 

DISTANCE LEARNING / VIRTUAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION

All Grades

  • Instruments and/or music-making kits can be distributed to students to support both synchronous and asynchronous learning

  • Requirements for managing and tracking individual student progress in music should not outweigh expectations placed on other academic teaching staff

  • Partnerships with community organizations, musicians and culture bearers can continue to provide vital online experiences to supplement instruction provided by qualified school music educators

Grades K-4

  • Asynchronous video instruction (teacher-produced content and/or shared teaching archives)

  • Synchronous virtual learning using body percussion, speech/rhyming games, and rhythmic vocabulary

  • Use of supplemental software, online music education programs, and virtual artist visits 

Grades 5-12

  • Individual and small-group lessons are most effective

  • Large group classes can cover theory and other musical topics, but current technology cannot readily accommodate synchronous music-making   

  • Use of instructional software (Smart Music, MusicTheory.net, Chrome Music Lab, Bandlab, etc.) is encouraged

  • Priority for online instrumental or vocal instruction should be given to students who have previously participated in ensembles; if possible, allow the music educator to create a schedule to deliver this instruction during school hours 

IN-PERSON MUSIC INSTRUCTION – Phase 2

The recommendations below apply if students return to school buildings in Phase 2. Additional recommendations for Phase 3 will be released in September based on scientific evidence from the Performing Arts Aerosol Study.

All Grades

  • Safety of students and teachers must be the priority; take measures to limit teacher exposure and cross-contamination of cohorts

  • Requirements for numbers of students seen in person should reasonably align with expectations placed on other teaching staff

  • Distance learning options can allow teachers to see more students during school hours – and to provide vocal or instrumental instruction 

  • Playing wind instruments (woodwinds, brass, recorders) and singing should not occur indoors during Phase 2

Grades K-4

  • If instruments/materials are used, schedule time for sanitization and limit use to one student per class

  • Individualized music kits (i.e., flash cards, keyboards, pencils, popsicle sticks) can be distributed for each student to use during classes

  • National Core Arts Standards for Creating, Responding, and Connecting in music can provide varied content when performing indoors is not possible. Examples of activities include:

    • Music and movement (with appropriate social distancing and no physical contact)

    • Listening and responding through journaling or drawing

    • Lyric analysis and songwriting

    • Ear training (humming)

    • Music theory (notes, staff, rhythm, symbols)

    • Music history & appreciation (artists, world music, time periods)

Grades 5-12

  • Music theory/history/appreciation can be delivered in-person while following standard COVID-19 precautions for schools

  • Classes should be made up of performing ensemble members 

  • Ensemble classes should be grouped by skill level whenever possible

Music Educator Advisory Panel:

  • Andy Bower – ReNEW Dolores T. Aaron Academy

  • Allen Dejan – KIPP Morial Primary

  • Keith Hart – KIPP Believe College Prep

  • Christopher Herrero – Edna Karr High School

  • Tryphena Hughes – Akili Academy of New Orleans

  • Ashley Johnson – Bricolage Academy of New Orleans

  • Steven Kennedy – Morris Jeff Community School

  • Herman LeBeau – Benjamin Franklin Elementary Math and Science (Middle) 

  • Nathan Money – ENCORE Academy

  • Asia Muhaimin – Warren Easton Charter High School

  • Brian Quezergue – Phillis Wheatley Community School

  • Lawrence Rawlins – McDonogh 35 Senior High School

  • Nikia Russell – Success Prep @ Thurgood Marshall

  • Erica Vance – Success Prep @ Thurgood Marshall

With Jonathan Bloom, Sr. & Sonya Robinson, Artist Corps Co-Directors; and Ashley Shabankareh, Music Education Specialist

Endorsements: 

  • Artist Corps New Orleans

  • CMA Foundation

  • KID smART

  • Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

  • House of Blues Music Forward Foundation

  • Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO)

  • New Orleans Arts Education Alliance

  • New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA)

  • New Orleans Jazz Museum

  • New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation

  • Preservation Hall Foundation

  • Ruth U. Fertel Foundation

  • Save The Music Foundation

  • The ELMA Music Foundation (U.S.)

    Please note this is a partial list; updated endorsements will be found on this page and can be found HERE.