Year 8 music lesson

[Tgger]

I have an interview for a teacher-training job for Secondary Music. I have to teach a Y8 class as part of the interview process. Can any MN with Y8 or similar children give me some hints about what songs/music they are into. Of course this might be different from the curriculum per se but it will give me ideas. Is Les Mis appropriate/inappropriate for Y8, would they be open to singing something like "Empty Chairs at empty tables"? Many thanks!

[MordionAgenos]

My Y8 DS is happy to sing do you hear the people sing - he always joins in when my girls are singing that one. He wouldn't be happy singing empty chairs at empty tables - he mocks that one, a bit. Do you hear the people sing would also be easier to explain than empty chairs...for kids who haven't seen the show or the film, I suspect.

[Tgger]

Thanks! Very helpful.

[thehat]

Music teacher here. Les Mis sounds ok.

Whatever song you choose, make sure it is teaching the class something - so not just learning a song, but a very clear learning objective.

[gobbin]

Watch the pitch range, start on the right note for theirvoices as it goes quite low. Some bits are quite chromatic and can be a challenge to get right in a short space of time if you're keen on accuracy.

[Tgger]

Thanks again. May not go with Les Mis, am still mulling. I do love that song though, am trying to find one with easyisg chords so the lesson is about that, going on to play themselves...easy chord progression/ start to compose their own song.

[gobbin]

Ah, 4 chord trick! We use I'll Be Missing You.

There's also a v gd Axis of Awesome vid on youtube where they sing loads of bits of songs over the same 4 chords. If you use it, fade it out as they use the motherf**r word right before the end!