Keeping the Fun in Music: Engaging Students in the Ensemble Class

Keeping the Fun in Music: Engaging Students in the Ensemble Class

By Dale Sharkey
Educational Representative
Palen Music Center - O'Fallon, MO

How many times have you had the conversation with a student considering dropping out of your ensemble class because “it’s not fun”? I’ve often asked myself if the student had a valid point. Playing music is fun, but it also requires effort, focus, and concentration. The fun we experience in a musical ensemble is different from activities like visiting Six Flags or playing video games. As educators, we walk a fine line between being productive and keeping our students engaged. It’s easy to fall into a daily routine that becomes a “grind.”

That said, I’ve always believed in the importance of finding ways to keep things lighthearted, switch things up, and engage students through fun.

One of my go-to strategies was to take a few minutes the day after the Super Bowl to discuss the halftime show and the commercials. I’d ask students to vote on their favorite commercial. This small break, which only took five or ten minutes, allowed me to show students that I have interests beyond the classroom. It also gave me insight into their lives—who liked football, who didn’t, and sometimes, a deeper understanding of their circumstances. For instance, one student shared that they didn’t have a TV at home. This led me to realize that students who struggle financially might also face challenges when it comes to participating fully in a music ensemble.

To further explore ways to keep students engaged, I reached out to fellow band directors for their ideas. Here are some of their creative strategies:

• Adam Hall, Holman Middle School: "In larger classes, I ask students to describe their weekend in five words or less. This allows everyone to be seen and heard while welcoming them back to class at the start of the week."
• Liz Pace, Pattonville Heights Middle School: "Have students play teacher for one line of rhythm or exercise. Can they play it better or faster than the teacher?"
• Dennis Carter, Triad Middle School: "Dad jokes are a great way to lighten the mood. I have a joke board where students rate jokes and add their own. It’s important to remember that middle school students need moments of fun amidst the seriousness."
• Jacob England, Parkway West High School: "I use index cards with fun questions (e.g., Chick-Fil-A vs. Cane’s) and read their answers aloud. Students guess who wrote each answer. I also split students into mini-groups based on shared interests (cats vs. dogs, chocolate vs. fruity candy)."
• Mark Connor, Principia: "Jokes. Lots of jokes!"
• Michaela Cahalin, Bethalto CUSD: "Rhythm Wars: Students play in teams to perform rhythms correctly. It adds a competitive and fun element to class."
• Lucas Alberts, Ladue School District: "I like to ask students about their weekend or upcoming events. They love talking about the exciting things happening in their lives."
• Stefanie Buscher, Parkway West Middle School: "I introduced the golden stand idea from social media. Students nominate each other, and each week, a new student gets to use the golden stand. For only $7 and a can of gold spray paint, we’ve seen improvements in teamwork and morale."
• Steve White, Holman Middle School: "King or Queen of the Band: We pick a line from the book and play it at a set speed. Each rep, we increase the speed. If a student makes a mistake, they’re out but must continue fingering along. The last student remaining is crowned King or Queen of the Band."
• Lisa Kinworthy, Parkway South High School: "Our Band Final is fun! Students must perform a musical piece in front of the class, but the most important part is to entertain me. We also do a 'Sight Read Stand-Off'—two teams, random pairings, and a sight-reading challenge with a rubric. The winning team gets a prize."

As you can see, every director has their own unique way of breaking the monotony and showing students that we’re all in this together. Reflecting back on my own school days (back in the 1900s...), I remember not only the great music we played and the performances we gave, but also the “other” fun moments. It’s these elements that make the experience lasting and meaningful.

Ultimately, if we can strike a balance between hard work and fun, our students are more likely to stay engaged and continue to grow, both as musicians and as individuals.

Dale Sharkey
Educational Representative
Palen Music - O'Fallon, MO