In conjunction with the Function Chorales, I suggest considering a package in which you will receive the Teaching Suite on DVD and the Function Chorales on CDR.
See & Print Article & Demonstration Materials
Try a FUNCTION CHORALE with your Ensemble... What you will experiment with is a SINGLE page from the FUNCTION CHORALES by © Stephen Melillo IGNA 1980. The single page can be easily and quickly photocopied for each member of your ensemble. Split the group into 4 parts: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass as per the PDF Download. The numbers represent scale degrees. Try the chorale provided first in Bb, then in Eb. Now, imagine a carefully plotted succession of 22 logically developed chorales which are preceded by a specific and clearly articulated teaching strategy.
ARTICLE involving MMMS Curriculum by MATT SMITH
"Stephen - I was at the conducting symposium in Greeley and saw you present - it was inspiring to say the least. I purchased the ScaleWorks, Rhythm Readers and Function Chorales (an investment) and have begun using the ScaleWorks with my 8th graders. The process is incredible! After introducing the concept Tuesday, practicing, and reinforcing yesterday, one of my weakest players was able to construct and play C# Major - flawlessly. The class sat in shocked silence before erupting in cheers. He left yesterday feeling like a king and I left knowing that any student can have success in music."
Amen.
"I have never left a professional conference so inspired, excited,
or energized. So much of what we see as music educators is "same
old, same old," or slight variations on the techniques used to teach
music to our grandparents. Seeing you teach in such a different mode,
without holding any knowledge or passion back was a breakthrough for me,
more valuable in many ways than some graduate courses I have taken. I
know that my students see a passion in me that they have not seen in a
long time. Thank you so much for the inspiration and guidance!"
Justin Mavity, Laredo Middle School
"We've been using these for 4 years now and it is amazing how easy (and fun) it is to teach music theory this way. We analyze each one measure by measure; labeling all the non-chord tones with the specific names, discussing motion between voices, points of tension and release. Each year there is a distinct transition in their musical vocabulary... they go from saying "that sounds cool" to phrases like "I love the 4-3 suspension in the altos!" Because they have scores in front of them, everyone stays engaged. Every week or so I'll play the recording of the next chorale and that motivates them to learn the raised and lowered notes they need to move on... I don't have to push that at all. The individuals really do most of the mixing themselves because they want to hear the things we spent time analyzing. Our final step on each chorale is to have students make up a story (like scenes in a movie) that the music makes them think of. The best part about this is that they'll use their theory terminology as they describe certain points in the scene they create. When we are working on sheet music, we can isolate a measure or a chord and really dig in to improve it because they already have an understanding of what the composer is trying to do and we have the vocabulary to speak intelligently about it." BJ Marks, Northside Middle School
"Steve, I know
that you have heard this before, but your approach to learning scales
is amazing. I have seen and used your chart before, but after watching
the DVD I had a new perspective.
I taught my freshman jazz class to use your scale learning method complete
with the stopwatch. The surprising part was how much of a motivator the
timing was. Each student wanted to have the chance to outdo the other.
We have also started a scale challenge to encourage to students to play
scales for time. I used again during 2nd period to reinforce scales with
the Music Theory class. From teaching to timing individual scales to filling
in the entire chart took only 20 minutes of class time and they all felt
it was beneficial.
I can't wait to present your rhythm concepts.
We also read through the 1st mvmt. of Aurora. We started
by singing/playing the G scale over a drone. We then did the Function
Chorale #2 and some of the other excercises (8-5-1,8-7-8-5-1,
etc )in G. After that, they could actually hear in the key of G. They
did have a few problems sight-reading the meter changes, but that will
come. I can't wait to read the others. Thanks helping me make my students
better than me." Ted Burton, Ben High School, Oregon
Testimonials
from Waynesburg College, PA:
"Music has been my life. I’ve held the upper chairs in flute
sections and was section leader of my high school band. I can play a variety
of instruments. However, the Stormworks Suite caused me to see music and
its theory in a totally different way. I’ve never taken a music
theory class, but now I can transpose music and play 15 major scales.
Stephen Melillo’s teachings have changed music for me. More importantly,
it has changed my life. Being able to read and understand music better
has re-inspired me to write music. I gave up composing due to my lack
of music theory knowledge. All I can say is “Thank you!” Stephen
Melillo’s Teaching Suite is priceless and will affect yours and
your students’ lives drastically…and permanently." Heather
Bryner, Flute/Piccolo, Freshman, Waynesburg College
"Steve Mellilo’s work is without a doubt the bright future
of music education. Many students create mental barriers, believing that
music theory and technique is beyond their reach. These concepts are very
intimidating to students, so they don’t want to learn it. Furthermore,
theory is often over-looked within our schools. Steve completely breaks
these barriers and makes learning not merely attainable, but surprisingly
easy. With Steve’s method, ANY student can succeed."
Jesse Maxwell, Trumpet. Freshman, Waynesburg College
"Scaleworks, to be specific, has helped me a great
deal. I now have a much greater understanding of the sharps and flats.
With the scale sheet, I can see the arrangements of sharps or flats in
a scale and know exactly how to manipulate the notes for any given scale."
Steve Zak, Euphonium, Junior, Waynesburg College
" If every music
class used Stephen Melillo’s teaching tools as a starting point,
development and understanding of musical theories and ideas would increase
exponentially and endlessly…guaranteed!" David Call,
Percussion, Freshman, Waynesburg College
"Steve Melillo is a mentor teacher for me! He constantly encourages
me to reach farther than I initially believe possible. Our music program
at Waynesburg does not currently have a music degree. After our ‘non-music
majors’ were connected with Steve’s Scaleworks, Rhythm
Readers, and Function Chorales, their understanding and level
of engagement was combustible…off the charts! I started using the
Teaching Suite this past spring term. The financial investment in this
program is minimal in comparison to the rewards for our students. I have
literally overheard my students explaining scales and rhythms to their
friends on campus – these are the same students who began the year
saying, “I can’t really count,” and “What’s
a triad?” They are now saying, “Oh, that’s just music
in threes,” and “Can you go through the section again, because
I missed my leading tone.” Our goals are now MUSICAL GOALS! With
my summer preparation time, I can’t wait to get my former students
back in the fall, as well as introduce the incoming freshman class to
these amazing methods, just to see how far we can go. As Steve would say,
“Let’s Find Out!” Dr. Ronda DePriest, Waynesburg
College, PA
"We now have students wanting to write their own function chorales! I know this has happened at other schools, but I felt it was necessary to continue the story of how great these are. We rendered the first student's chorale affectionately entitled "Godspeed" yesterday. I since received "A Mighty Forbidden Fortress" and "In School Suspension". These are all settings of theory class projects, but they have really grabbed the students. I thank you for the gift of them and please know they are being put to excellent use. Also, thanks for the new clarinet player! Now you may ask what do I mean? The students have been trying to convince a 9th grade girl who felt she was too busy for band to join. I finally decided to get involved after some research and invited her to spend a period with us. The lesson plan included "By Love Compelled" I spent our time warming up etc. and did an indepth rehearsal on By Love...never coming close to the end. (It was very good too! That is another story) Needless to say we did not finish, but the girl (right in front of the podium) looked up and said "But I need to know how it ends!" To which I replied "That is the next rehearsal." She is with us now." David Knott, Bishop MCDevitt High School, Harrisburg, PA
"Do you remember this workshop I told you from.....St. Thomas Choral.... I did it on Saturday..it was a great time. The musicians were amazed about the effect that had on them. I explained and demonstrated to them all about tuning and intonation first (straight line, target with pad bass!!!!, functions, balance etc.), then played the Choral.....WOW... they sounded so different!!! That was motivating for them and for me!! Thanks to our meeting last year and all the things that I have learned so far from you I can do these things and pass it on to other bands. I'm so grateful for that. The amazing thing is, that at the beginning of a workshop you think... this band doesn't sound so badly...they play in tune more or less....what can I teach them. But then as soon as you start bringing in the concept of "target playing" it leads you from one to another problem and you realise the mistakes..... But when you make sense of it for them, it changes everything!!!!" Martin Wiblishauser, Germany
"Mr. Melillo,
My goodness! It's been about two weeks since I started using the Function
Chorales and ScaleWorks in my band classes/rehearsals, and
I am BLOWN AWAY!!!!! I am a brand-new teacher straight out of college.
I have struggled a bit to find different techniques that work for my students,
but your model for ScaleWorks was so excellent I hit
one out of the park right away (not that I won't go back and refine, of
course). My students absolutely LOVE the function chorales--they
keep asking for "the next one". We are moving quickly but cautiously,
striving for precision in each. We are making effective transfers into
the literature with these--we are doing an arrangement of Shenandoah,
an obvious transfer, but I'm noticing things like a sense of direction
on long notes and listening "vertically" for intonation in ALL
of our playing, up to and including our spring musical. As for ScaleWorks,
BRAVO! My students LOVE the method and process. I presented the information
as you do on your DVD (an excellent model), and my students eyes got to
be the sizes of dinner plates--they were drawn in within minutes. "Sing
and Fing" has become a regular part of my vocabulary--for scales,
but also chorales and difficult passages. I had my doubts about the "stopwatching"
(because I'm a brand new teacher and know everything, right??), but I
did it and it had its intended effect--some harmless competition amongst
the students that creates a sense of "urgency" in order to not
have the lesson become stagnant. My next project is Rhythm
Readers--I can't wait!! My only regret is I did not use this
source sooner. Bravo! Best," Then later: "The FUNCTION CHORALES
continue to be a source of great material for building essential musicianship...I
had a principal observation the other day, and we performed #20 in the
key of B major. Went GREAT!" Keith Roeckle, Ridley High School, Folsom,
PA
| Description:
"Imagination is more important than Knowledge." Albert Einstein FUNCTION CHORALES comes on CD-ROM. Please download a PDF of the unedited April 1999 Band & Orchestra Article on Function Chorales above. Many conductors have expressed a desire to improve their Music-making via a mastery of the Basics. Function Chorales are designed to time-efficiently teach and reinforce the ability to SEE where a Pitch will Sound, dramatically improve Tuning, Intonation, Ensemble Listening, Vertical Hearing, Knowledge of Function & Transposition, Knowledge of Progression & Harmony, Knowledge of Interval, Form, and Knowledge of Inharmonic Devices such as Suspension, Retardation and Passing Tone. This is an immensely powerful tool which will achieve, via your efforts, discernible results.
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FUNCTION CHORALES come on CD-ROM |
| "Stephen, a word about the Function Chorales. The kids became so successful at the process that for 2 years we've moved away from a tuner. At first this was the most uncomfortable thing I have ever done. After the new kids learned the system the pay off was huge! I moved and began using this process with the new kids. They had a tuner stuck in their face by a previous director to the point where every student was required to own a tuner. I had a copy of your Basic Change and started using this choral. My colleagues are amazed whenever I tell them we don't use tuners. Students are beginning to understand that tuning goes much further than tuning one note. They are beginning to understand that all notes must be constantly tuned over time within the ensemble (horizontally & vertically)... something the tuner can not do." Brian Ellis, Shelby County, KY "I have
been following your music for about 3-4 years now, ever since I
first heard it and subsequently did a research project for a Wind
Band Literature course. Over the course of that time, I have tried
Function Chorales, STORMQuest, and most recently Fountainhead and
the Let's Find Out
DVD. The music is very powerful, and very playable by ensembles
at ALL levels. I teach grades 5-12. Last year I began making
full use of the PAD Bass concept
with Time in the Balance, and liked it so much that I use it now
with ALL literature, and can't imagine not having it. Scaleworks
and Rhythm Readers are without a doubt 2 of the most important
components of my teaching repertoire. At ALL levels, they
have proven time and again to be valuable, reliable, and meaningful
to the KIDS as well as opening my eyes to see some things that I
always knew were there, but never really noticed. The scores are
LARGE size, which makes for very easy reading. I am especially moved
by Steve's personal signature on every score and CD ordered. The
kids really enjoy playing this music because it touches and speaks
to them, and they feel that they are touching and speaking to their
audience in a more direct manner. Who says sixth graders can't learn
15 scales? In short, I have been transformed by this approach, and
my students have also. Thank you." Glenn Roberts, Lisbon,
New York "Stephen Melillo's FUNCTION CHORALES will expand the musical foundation of your band program. The Chorales allow students to experience a beautiful world of musical colors through harmonic progressions designed to immediately open ears to tuning, balance, blend, and intonation. Thank you Steve for this outstanding contribution in developing ensemble tone quality, sonority and harmonic awareness." Edward S. Lisk, Author/Clinician/Conductor "Too often, we are caught in the daily grind of deadlines, tension, and frustration, occasionally interrupted by brief fleeting moments of beauty, energy and order. Stephen Melillo offers a philosophy as well as a "greater meaning" to us all in the form of musical composition as well as fundamental approaches to music in general. A comprehension of these two things has helped me to better understand myself and the greater purpose behind what I have chosen to do with my days. As a result, my days are filled with beauty, energy, and order, occasionally interrupted by brief fleeting moments of deadlines, tension and frustration. Musically, an intensive relationship with Function Chorales (sharpen the ax) in tandem with inspiring literature has helped reduce the level of resistance within my classroom and has shortened the distance between my mind and the minds of my students. Thank you, Stephen." Anonymous "I knew that it would take some time, but we a finally seeing the results of starting our kids in the "STORMMethod" right from the time they start playing. We see our beginners twice a week for 30 minutes. They can all play a chromatic scale from low concert E to Ab in the middle of the staff, and most of them can write all the notes and fingerings in for their instruments. Our 7th grades know all 15 major scales by the end of the year, and a 2 octave chromatic scale, and our 8th graders can play all 15 scales two octaves where possible, with the arpeggio and thirds, and start learning their minor scales. The kids work out of the rhythm readers, and play the function chorales. The 8th graders are going to start writing some of their own chorales by the end of the year." Roy Maxwell "Now the important stuff. My kids think that I've completely lost all common sense. We've been sharpening our ax and (here's a news flash) IT WORKS!!!! I've been energized. My kids, although they think I'm crazy now, also know that they can do this stuff. I set them up pretty good. I told them what they were going to be able to do in a few minutes and most of them said "Yeah, right." Within a few minutes it was with great pleasure that I said, "See, I told you so!" I wish I would have video taped their faces. You could just see the lights go on in not only my brightest students but more importantly those struggling students. I could just see them say to themselves, "He's right. I CAN do this." Feel free to use me as a reference. I'm ready to go do clinics about this method. I'm a true believer. My email address if you would care to post it is - ewesrussell@msn.com. THANKS and Godspeed to you!" Wes Russell, Joliet, Illinois "Wow! I am a believer in what you are doing! The passion, excitement, uniqueness, musicality - and also fun, practicality and educational worth to be found in your creative work is all quite impressive. A very sincere and hearty thanks from me to you! During the past several months I have been using your Function Chorales in daily rehearsals with my students, and have found them to be a significant and essential tool in my teaching. The students have found them helpful and interesting, especially for understanding balance and intonation issues across the entire ensemble. I really believe that my students are better ensemble musicians as a result of the versatile ways these chorales can be used to help students understand scoring, balance and intonation, as well as practical theory applications, and transferring these specific concepts to the music we are rehearsing. Function Chorales are an incredible innovation and indispensable learning tool for me and my students. Thank you! In addition, we have thoroughly enjoyed performing STORMWORKS! Your writing is distinctive, beautiful and exciting! We look forward to exploring many more of your unique compositions! Sincerely." Steve Olsen, Eden Prairie High School, Minnesota "I have found the use of your Function Chorales invaluable in advancing the musical independence of my students: listening, blend, balance, intonation, phrasing, style, theory - they cover it all - in all keys! They make the student's think! Bravo, Steve!" Wayne Dorothy, North Dakota State University "Steve! I just wanted to write and thank you again for all that you've contributed to the music ed world. Between your methods and those of our friend Sir Edward Lisk, this has been a truly remarkable year for my bands! Less than three weeks into my daily rehearsals and the groups are tuning so well that they're getting the overtones to sound! I've been rendering By Love Compelled... with my 9th grade band. The levels of teachable music are astounding. I even took your suggestion about relating the music to the literature the english classes are reading. When I told them this music was "heroic like Atticus Finch" (every 9th grader just finished the book) the sound clicked! So thanks again for everything. And be on the lookout for a PO from Lower Merion HS for Escape From Plato's Cave - I can't wait to turn my advanced wind ensemble onto the same piece that introduced me to the world of stormworks! Sincerely", Aaron Datsko, PA |