Level Up!

Taking your percussion group to the next level

Danielle Ortiz de Orue and Matthew Allen Trevino- Roan Forest Elementary NEISD

Disclaimer: The tips and strategies presented today are not one size fits all. Every school is
different, and every group of students is different. The following are things that have worked
for the presenters and their students. The views and opinions of the presenters may not align
with your methodology or teaching style. No need to worry, we are elementary music
teachers. Through music we can handle ANYTHING! Let’s jam!

Audition Process
Build Interest- Teach necessary skills. Recruit by any means (awesome
performances, appealing videos).
Audition Prep- Select an attainable excerpt from your set. Tell students exactly
what you are looking for. Provide students with practice materials.
Audition Time- Outside panel and clear rubric. Students will get REALLY nervous!
Have students perform as a group and put it on a loop. You will
be able to tell who knows their part. Some kids wont make it. I
usually reveal results on a Friday.

Audition RUBRIC
Rubric 1-5 SONIDO! Auditions
1=Low, 2, 3, 4, 5= High
Name Mallet Bass Alto Soprano Total
Work
 2021-2022 SONIDO Audition Parts

Soprano Xylophone

Alto Xylophone

Bass Xylophone

Choosing Repertoire
Know Your Crew- Play to your strengths. Choose some challenging repertoire, but
not every piece. Always have a backup plan.
Theme?- Are you going to tie it all together? Not necessary, but can be a
nice touch.
Resources- What pieces will fit your needs? If you can’t find it arrange it.
Here are a few of my favorite resources:
Orff Volumes- Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman
Rhythmische Übung - Gunild Keetman
Walt Hampton publications- Hot Marimba!, Marimba Mojo!
Doug Edwards publications- Viva Marimba, Marimba Pop, I Like to
Move it, Jig!, To Bach and Beyond.
The World Sings
In the Modes- Chris Judah Lauder

Creating Teaching Tools

Visuals- What do your kids need to be successful?
Videos- Breakdown of part or even just a demonstration. I like to consider
my teaching at times to be that of a “flipped classroom”.
Here are a few examples:
Getting Prepared
Assigning Parts- Assign parts immediately or wait to assess skill levels?
Set Up Crew- If kids are going to be responsible, let them take ownership.
Warm Ups- As kids arrive they are allowed to practice their parts
independently. When doing a group warm up choose a target
rhythm and incorporate it.

Example of part assignments

Teaching Parts
Section Leader- Teach part to a leader who will then teach it to their section.
Whole Group- Teach each part to the whole group. Introduce as a warm-up.
On the Spot- I love to teach exercises on the spot to keep the kids on their toes.
Because of this they are very fast learners.
Rehearsal Strategies
Sectionals- This is great because it gives each section a chance to play as
one. It also gives them a chance to add visuals if they choose.
Duets- The students need to be able to listen to what is happening in
other sections. This is a great chance for them to see and hear
how the arrangement works.
Run Throughs- Each time they need to find something they can improve on. If
they miss something the song keeps going. This is a great
reminder of that.
Metronome- When you eventually take the metronome away they MIGHT
remember the feeling of being held together by the common
beat.
Student Created- Are you allowing time for students to make the performance their
own? This takes time, plan accordingly. Much more buy in this way
and more organic.

Putting it All Together

Movement- Do you have movers? Check their positions and timings. Discuss
fi nal point.
Transitions- How will students get from point a to b? Will there be a spoken
part or a playing part?
Director- What part will you play during the performance? I try to stay out
of the way. I get them started with my whistle and then let them
take it away. If they need me at certain spots I will position myself
in that zone.

Our Gear
Xylophones- Peripole Xylophones with rosewood bars
Mallets- Basic Beat Rubber Mallets
Blue medium for bass and altos
Red hard for alto and soprano
from West Music
Cart- Basic Beat Rollin Orff Cart
from West Music

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