Introducing Hip-Hop in the Large Ensemble (from Noah Karvelis)

​This lesson was used to introduce hip-hop and hip-hop composition in three different concert bands and one orchestra in a suburban high school. The skill levels and instrumentation that make up the various ensembles are very wide-ranging. This lesson took place in one 50-minute period for each ensemble, but could easily be extended into a multiple lesson unit, if desired. The goal of this lesson is to introduce students to the cultural and historical underpinnings of hip-hop and to apply this in their own musical compositions. This lesson will require students to consider harmony, rhythm, melody, texture, instrumentation and other musical elements through a cultural viewpoint and satisfies National Core Arts Standards Anchors 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 11 .

In my classroom, this lesson worked very well and allowed students to see new and familiar cultures, offer insights, and to create their own musical compositions. It also helped many students become involved in the classroom and to engage with music in a very thorough, hands-on manner. Throughout the classroom I saw groups engaging in discussions on transposing, harmonizing melodies, debating what musical forms should be used, “sampling” repertoire from their concert band folder and other fantastic evidence of musical and educational growth.

Here is some student feedback on the lesson: 
“Learning hip-hop was a lot of fun! Hip-hop is such a large part of youth culture and putting it into an educational lesson really opened my eyes to the fundamentals that you don't really pay attention to when you hear the songs  on the radio. Not only were we able to learn and create music, but we learned about the roots of hip hop as well, which I believe allowed the students to enjoy the richness of the genre a little more! The only thing I wish was different about this small unit was to have some more time and listen to what everyone had come up with.” 

“I had never really given much thought to hip-hop music . . . However, I was immensely intrigued by the history of it, and by the end of the brief presentation I had a mild admiration for the genre based upon its varied sources/ roots. I found that after learning about its origins, it wasn't simply a repetitive rhythm with words but an ancient art, slightly modernized. The improv section was amazingly fun, not only because it allowed me to explore completely new ideas but because I got to try and apply what I had just learned . . . After experiencing the presentation and improv I have a respect and understanding of [hip-hop's] roots and overall have a favorable opinion of it.”