Submitted by Tim Ballan – www.sbgc.org
I’m starting a “traveling studio” program that will be held at multiple youth centers. All the equipment (including folding picnic blanket, 4 folding stacking shelves, and a compact telescopic mic stand and boom) fits in a single duffel bag, along with protective cases and cushioning.
Submitted by Javier Lozada – www.ymcamalden.org
IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O I just started using this iOS compatible battery powered MIDI controller/audio interface for recording on the go!
Submitted by Javier Lozada – www.ymcamalden.org and Anders Olson – www.bgcb.org
These plugins will mix and master for you!
Submitted by Nick Tetrault http://www.musicandyouth.org
If you have youth in your program thinking about Berklee or online music school in general – they can try a sample lesson for free:
Submitted by Nick Tetrault – www.musicandyouth.org
If you teach music tech…here’s a link to a bunch of great FREE plugins from Native Instruments
Submitted by Mike Lembke www.bgcb.org
If you haven’t checked out any Genius Deconstructed videos yet – get on it! “The Making of Thank U, Next” is great to share with kids and helps us remember that making music is really about having fun and sharing an emotional connection with friends, artists, and fans!
Stay up to date with the latest music trends. Below is Genius’ Deconstructed series YouTube Playlist
Recommended products for after-school music programs!
Submitted by Alexander Delorey – www.mvymca.org
The Methuen YMCA Music Clubhouse recently started a “Musician of the Month” program!
On the first Thursday of each month, the staff will present the certificate to a participant that has been doing amazing work. “Amazing work” could be anything from performing for the first time to helping others learn, to recording a song, to picking up another instrument, and much more. Basically, anything that shows growth in the participant or improves the program.
Our first recipient was super excited to win for the month of February. He’s been making lots of progress here since July. He’s learned guitar, progressed very quickly, began writing and recording an album, learned to fix up broken instruments, and even taught a few lessons. So obviously he was our first choice!
I’m excited to start this program and see in what ways kids step up. If you want to implement this in your program, feel free to reach out and I can help you out!
Submitted by Trevor Black – www.bgcb.org
“LYRIC GENIUS” was a fall night program we ran to get kids who were less interested in MAKING music more involved.
HOW TO: Members split into teams, and then answer questions on how to interpret lyrics from artists they like. (All of ours were from the teen’s suggestions.) Some questions are “voting style,” where each team interprets a lyric, and then the group chooses the best answer. Teens are encouraged to think critically about their favorite artists messages or clever wordplay. (note: not all of the linked videos are clean versions. check ’em out yourself beforehand to be sure…sorry 🙂
Here are some links to our sessions, with details below:
