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Sample Daily Schedule (Word Version)

Save time by downloading our sample daily schedule and customizing for your music program

This editable word document includes days of the week, typical after-school programming hours and a variety of programming activities. Download now and customize so you can get back to making music with your participants!

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Teen “Tech” Club Descriptions

Your very own A/V Club! Teach responsibility while keeping gear functional

Objective: Provide more responsibilities and leadership roles for participants

  • Develop valuable leadership skills while mentoring a new generation of participants
  • Participants are chosen based on their demonstrated leadership and responsibility
  • Candidates gain valuable professional experiences and greater mastery of instrument/gear

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Emcee 101

Ryan Seacrest OUT and youth participants IN! Groom participants to be Emcees for events

Objective: Gain self-confidence by hosting a performance

  • Participants step up to the mic to host small, low-risk, “in-house” performances
  • Participants introduce performers during open mic nights, Karaoke, galas, or special events
  • Participants will be comfortable behind the mic and speaking in front of their peers

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Top 10 Debate Club

Participants debate and defend their favorite songs and create their own “Billboard” playlist 

Do your participants know a lot about the latest and hottest tracks in popular music? Put theDo your participants know a lot about the latest and hottest tracks in popular music? Put their musical knowledge and opinions to the test by helping them create a collaborative weekly Top 10 playlist.  Split participants into groups and have them nominate current songs or artists they think should be on the Top 10 list. When the groups come back together, they’ll have a debate to decide on a final Top 10 list for the week.  ir musical knowledge and opinions to the test by helping them create a collaborative, weekly Top 10 playlist.  Split participants into groups and have them nominate current songs/artists they think should be on the Top 10 list. When the groups come back together, they’ll have debate and agree on a final Top 10 list for the week.  

In additional participants will: 

  • Develop critical listening skills and identify key song elements 
  • Be exposed to different kinds of music 
  • Learn to respectfully engage in a group discussion and communicate their ideas
  • Get to know their peers and their musical tastes

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How to… 

  • Check out current top hits on the Billboard 100 as a jumping off point to keep things current
    • Decide on the week’s Top 10 debate theme, for example:
      • Specific artist
      • Genre 
      • Songs from particular decades 
  • Split participants into small groups 
    • Participants will come up with ideas based on the theme
    • Each participant should have the opportunity to speak and provide input
    • The group reaches a consensus and decides on their Top 10 List
    • Each group nominates a representative to present their Top 10 List 
  • Small groups all get together
    • Each small group representative makes a case for their Top 10 List 
    • Staff member moderates a discussion and allows participants to defend their song selections
    • The goal is to determine a master Top 10 List by voting on each others’ choices 
  • Voting process
    • Staff posts each group’s #1-10 list on a whiteboard so everyone can see the options
    • Start “secret” voting with the #10 choice for each group to create one Master List.  For example:
      • Say there were 3 groups each with songs list #1 through #10
      • All the participants put their heads down 
      • Staff read each #10 song out loud and tally the participants’ votes (raise of hand) for which of the 3 songs deserves the #10
      • The song with the most votes lands at #10 on the master list
      • Repeat this process until you get to the # 1 song
    • The final Master List serves as the “Billboard Top 10” for that week.  Each week you can start comparing where songs move up and down on the list. 
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Instrument Petting Zoo

Give participants a chance to try out instruments without committing

Objective: Touch, hold, and try new instruments

  • An exciting opportunity for participants to try an instrument they’ve always wanted to play
  • Provide participants with opportunities to experiment with music through a variety of instruments that are fun, approachable, get quick results, and don’t require a formal instructor

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“Sticky” Instrument Challenges

Want beginners to have instant success on instruments? Forget notation and pick up some tape or stickers!

“Sticky” Instrument Challenges are a great way to “gamify” your music program and expose participants to new things without having to learn music theory/notation first. At the start of each day, introduce several Instrument Challenges for participants to choose from (on different instruments). For example, participants have to complete a challenge in order to “unlock” privileges like using the recording studio, or instrument equipment, etc. “Sticky” Instrument Challenges help introduce basic concepts and gives participants success right away in hopes that they “stick” with it.

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How to…

  • Decide how often you’ll introduce the Instrument Challenges challenge. For example,
    • Every day – choose a specific time, etc. 
    • Each week (e.g. every Wednesday – or whatever day you choose) 
  • Decide on the format of the challenge – ie. everyone must complete or make it an optional challenge that helps participants earn extra privileges, etc.  
  • Make it easy for all skill levels to complete the challenges; examples include: 
    • Piano – use “Avery See-Through Removable Color Dots”, Post-it Page Markers (multi-color pack), Multi-colored dry erase markers 
    • Guitar/bass – use masking tape along the top of the neck/fretboard – label the fret number in sequence 
    • Drums – use an easy “play along” track, YouTube clip or take a video of an instructor playing a basic groove.  
  • Create fun challenges that participants must complete before participating in other programs/activities (displayed on a white board). Examples include: 
    • “Chord Buster” – Participants must play through a I-IV-V progression.  
      • Piano – Green dots = C Major chord, Red dots = F Major, Blue dots = G Major
      • Guitar/bass – #1 = Low E string, 8th fret (C); #2 = Low E string, 1st fret (F); #3 = Low E string, 3rd fret (G)
    • “Melody Mystery” – Place a sequence of colored dots or label fretboard that participants must “decode” in order to play a familiar melody.
    • “Octave Obsession” – Place colored dots or label fretboard on various octaves, and discuss the basic concept of what participants are playing.
    • “Scale Trail” – Place colored dots or label fretboard on various scales and discuss key signatures with participants.
    • “Intricate Intervals” – Place colored dots or label fretboard on basic scale intervals for a quick ear training exercise.
    • “Groove Master” – ask participants to recreate a drum groove on a video or recording
    • “Rhythm Xerox” – participants have to repeat a series of rhythms 
  • Optional – Use the same concepts for helping participants on music technology equipment 

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Signature Events

Create a performance that participants will remember for the rest of their lives!

Most participants in your Music Studio probably won’t become professional musicians, but why not give them a chance to feel like one while performing on stage?! Creating a Signature Event helps participants look forward to an annual performance and gives them a goal to work towards while building their self-confidence and self-esteem. Whether it’s an Album Release Party, Awards Night, Talent Show, or Vocal Competition, help your participants dream big as they perform for their adoring fans! 

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How to… 

Go big! – Create a signature event that involves your participants in something bigger than they ever thought possible. Here are some general tips for creating a memorable Signature Event: 

  • Book a professional concert venue (e.g. House of Blues, Hard Rock, or local college auditorium)   
  • Rent a red carpet, staging, sound system, and lighting 
  • Secure corporate sponsors and special guest performers 
  • Document the special occasion by hiring professional photographers and videographers
  • Create awards and custom swag (e.g. t-shirts, posters, etc) 
  • Create a buzz promoting your event in the press and community
  • Get support from other program departments 
    • The Dance Team could choreograph a dance routine and perform on stage 
    • Visual Arts participants can design a flyer or custom T-Shirts
    • Teen Center members pass out invitations or help with the setup/teardown of equipment 
  • Invite everyone! Plan for EVERYONE in your organization to attend 
    • Rent buses so all youth members at your organization can attend
    • Staff members chaperone participants in the audience 
    • Invite everyone – administrative staff, board members, friends, and family
      • Pick a family-friendly day/time to make it easy for people to get there
      • Make sure the venue has parking or public transportation 
    • Include donors, sponsors, foundations, and program partners. Highlight how their contributions and support made the night possible. 
  • Prepare! In addition to the logistics discussed above, be sure to: 
    • Avoid schedule conflicts.  Coordinate with your organizational staff to make sure you choose a date/time free of other program or event conflicts.  
    • Develop a rehearsal schedule so participants are confident on stage 
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