Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Teacher Page

Teacher Page

Randomly divide the class into groups of eight.  If the numbers do not work out perfectly, there may be a group or groups of six or seven, and you will have to decide which jobs may be combined and put in the hands of a single person.  For example, the music director may have to handle the personnel issues, or the color guard instructor may have to handle the finances as well.

The goal of this project is not to actually create a drum corps show, which would be extremely costly and time consuming, but to create a virtual, or fantasy drum corps show.  For example, maybe you will have the music arranger of each group go through your personal marching band music library and choose music that he thinks would fit the drum corps that is being created.  Of course, the music selections would have to be approved by the music director, and the cost, is the music was to actually be purchased from a publishing company, or arranged by a freelance arranger, would have to be approved by the music director and the director of finance.  Using color guard product books, the color guard instructor, making reference to the music, and possibly working with the visual coordinator, would decide how many sets of flags or other props he would like to purchase for the show.  Again, this would have to be approved by the music director and the director of finance.

As the evaluator of these finished products, you must observe how well the members of the group work together throughout the course of the project.  You will also study their choice of music, drill, visuals, etc., and decide how you think this show would turn out if it were actually produced and performed on the field.  You must also take into consideration things like if the group stayed within their budget (you can decide what their budget will be at the beginning of the project), and if they have allotted sufficient rehearsal time to prepare such a show as they have chosen.  Create your own grading rubric to share with the students keeping all of these things in mind and anything else you would like to include.  Below is an example of a rubric you may want to use when assessing the group projects. 

 

	Exceptional	Admirable	Acceptable	Amateur
Group Participation	All students enthusiastically participate	At least 3/4 of students actively participate	At least half the students confer or present ideas	Only one or two persons actively participate
Shared Responsibility	Responsibility for task is shared evenly	Responsibility is shared by most group members	Responsibility is shared by 1/2 the group members	Exclusive reliance on one person
Quality of Interaction	Excellent listening and leadership skills exhibited; students reflect awareness of others' views and opinions in their discussions	Students show adeptness in interacting; lively discussion centers on the task	Some ability to interact; attentive listening; some evidence of discussion or alternatives	Little interaction; very brief conversations; some students were disinterested or distracted
Roles Within Group	Each student assigned a clearly defined role; group members perform roles effectively	Each student assigned a role but roles not clearly defined or consistently adhered to	Students assigned roles but roles were not consistently adhered to	No effort made to assign roles to group members

For other sample group presentation rubrics, click here.

About the author:  W. Cory Reynard is a 2001 graduate of the Ball State University School of Music in Muncie, IN, where he studied bassoon with Dr. Keith Sweger.  He is currently director of bands at Crawfordsville High School and Tuttle Middle School, both in Crawfordsville, IN.  He directs the high school concert, jazz, marching, and pep bands, as well as three concert bands and a jazz band at the middle school.

Page Author:  W. Cory Reynard - Crawfordsville, IN  

Last updated:  4/26/03