Supplies Needed:

1. Name tags with a Sharpie

2. Copies of the curriculum in big print (click this link to download)

3. Chairs set up in a semicircle – you can stand in the center so that the audience can see you

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Introduction to Yourself

Give a brief introduction to yourself – what instruments you play, what brought you to music, etc.

 

Explain that this program will take place for the next 12 weeks.  Make it clear that instead of you just playing music, they will have to interact and talk about the music you played for them.

 

Play/sing something for them (depending on if you play an instrument, sing, dance, etc.).  This will get them interested in you, and they may come back the next few weeks so that they can listen to more music.  It is not necessary that you play a piece at every session, but playing at the first couple can get the audience more involved in the program.

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Introduction to the Audience

The objective of this part of the session is to understand the musical experience that any of the seniors may have.  Go around the room and ask people for their name and a couple of questions about them.  As you do this, you may wish to give people nametags so that you remember their names and can address them.

 

Some sample topics to ask people about are:

1. Name

2. Any prior musical experience

3. Favorite type of music

4. Why they decided to come to the class

5. Their goals in this class – what do they want to leave with at the end of the program?

6. Anything else they want to share about themselves

 

Setting Out Goals for the Program

Hand out the curriculum to the audience members and ask them to look over it.  Tell them that it is a basic description of the lessons you plan to teach.  Ask them if there is anything there that seems particularly interesting or that they would like to put more emphasis on.  Based on the suggestions they give you, you can tweak the curriculum to fit the interests of the particular group of people with whom you are working.