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Your Musical Future

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Lesson Plan

Your Musical Future

The student will be able to identify and research at least three distinct avenues for continuing musical involvement after high school, ranging from higher education and professional careers to community engagement and personal enrichment.

Many students love music but aren't sure how to keep it in their lives once high school ends. This lesson will show you that there are countless ways to stay connected to music, no matter your path, helping you plan for a fulfilling future.

Audience

10th Grade Individual Student

Time

90 minutes

Approach

Guided discussion, research, and personalized planning.

Materials

Whiteboard or digital equivalent, Markers/pens, Computer/tablet with internet access, Slide Deck: Your Musical Future, Activity: Music Pathway Explorer, and Journal: My Musical Journey Ahead

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

10 minutes

  • Begin by asking the student: 'What does music mean to you right now, and what do you hope it can be in your future?'
    - Discuss initial thoughts and introduce the lesson's objective using Slide Deck: Your Musical Future (Slide 1-2).
    - Emphasize that music doesn't have to end after high school.

Step 2

Exploring Pathways

25 minutes

  • Use Slide Deck: Your Musical Future (Slides 3-7) to introduce various categories of musical involvement: Higher Education, Professional Careers, Community & Hobbies, and Personal Enrichment.
    - For each category, discuss examples relevant to the student's interests (e.g., music major, sound engineer, community band, learning a new instrument, songwriting).
    - Encourage the student to brainstorm additional ideas within each category.

Step 3

Activity: Music Pathway Explorer

30 minutes

  • Introduce the Activity: Music Pathway Explorer.
    - Guide the student through researching at least three specific pathways that pique their interest.
    - Provide support as needed for navigating websites or finding information (e.g., college music programs, local community groups, online music courses).
    - Have the student fill out the activity sheet with their findings, noting pros, cons, and required steps.

Step 4

Journaling & Reflection

15 minutes

  • Transition to the Journal: My Musical Journey Ahead.
    - Ask the student to reflect on their discoveries from the activity.
    - Prompt them to write about which pathways resonate most with them and why, and what initial steps they might take.
    - Encourage creative thinking about how music fits into their overall life vision.

Step 5

Next Steps & Wrap-up

10 minutes

  • Discuss the student's reflections and answer any remaining questions.
    - Help the student identify one or two immediate, actionable steps they can take in the near future (e.g., research a specific college program, find a local open mic night, commit to daily practice).
    - Reiterate that their musical journey is unique and can evolve over time.
    - Conclude with an encouraging statement.
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Slide Deck

Your Musical Future

What does music mean to you today?
What do you want it to be tomorrow?

Welcome the student and start by asking them what music means to them right now. Encourage them to share their current feelings and experiences with music.

Beyond High School

Music doesn't have to end after graduation!
Let's discover the exciting possibilities.

Explain that this session is all about exploring how music can continue to be a part of their life, whether as a hobby, a passion, or even a career, long after high school.

Pathway 1: Higher Education

  • Music Degrees: Performance, Education, Composition, Therapy
    - Related Fields: Sound Engineering, Music Business, Arts Administration
    - What does it involve? Auditions, rigorous study, specialized training

Introduce the idea of higher education in music. Ask if they've considered it or know anyone who has. Prompt them to think about different areas of study.

Pathway 2: Professional Careers

  • Performers: Solo artists, band members, orchestral musicians, session players
    - Creators: Composers, songwriters, producers
    - Behind the Scenes: Sound technicians, music therapists, instrument makers, music journalists
    - What does it involve? Talent, networking, business skills, dedication

Discuss various professional careers that involve music. Ask them what kind of jobs they imagine musicians have, then expand on those ideas.

Pathway 3: Community & Hobbies

  • Community Groups: Bands, choirs, orchestras, jam sessions
    - Teaching/Volunteering: Giving lessons, helping with school programs
    - Open Mics & Local Gigs: Sharing your talent with a local audience
    - What does it involve? Participation, connection, shared passion

Shift to the community aspect. Many find joy in music through local groups. Ask about any local music groups or events they know of.

Pathway 4: Personal Enrichment

  • Learning a New Instrument: Expanding your musical horizons
    - Songwriting/Composing: Expressing yourself creatively
    - Music Appreciation: Deepening your understanding as a listener
    - Online Courses/Tutorials: Self-paced learning and skill development
    - What does it involve? Curiosity, self-discipline, joy of discovery

Talk about how music can be a deeply personal journey. Ask if they have ever learned an instrument just for themselves or written their own music.

Many Paths, One Passion

Remember, your musical journey is unique!
You can combine different pathways or explore them sequentially.
Let's find what excites YOU!

Summarize the pathways and prepare them for the activity. Emphasize that these aren't mutually exclusive and can overlap.

Your Journey Continues...

The world of music is vast and welcoming.
Keep exploring, keep playing, keep creating!
What's one step you'll take this week?

Encourage the student and transition to the next steps. Reassure them that this is just the beginning of their exploration.

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Activity

Music Pathway Explorer

This activity will help you research and think about different ways you can stay involved in music after high school. Choose three pathways that sound interesting to you and use the internet or other resources to fill in the information.

## Pathway 1:
Name of Pathway/Area:
(e.g., Music Education Major at [University Name], Local Community Orchestra, Freelance Sound Engineer)

What is it? Briefly describe this pathway.



Why does it interest you?



What are some pros of this pathway?
-
-
-

What are some cons or challenges?
-
-
-

What are the first 1-2 steps someone might take to pursue this?
1.
2.



## Pathway 2:
Name of Pathway/Area:

What is it? Briefly describe this pathway.



Why does it interest you?



What are some pros of this pathway?
-
-
-

What are some cons or challenges?
-
-
-

What are the first 1-2 steps someone might take to pursue this?
1.
2.



## Pathway 3:
Name of Pathway/Area:

What is it? Briefly describe this pathway.



Why does it interest you?



What are some pros of this pathway?
-
-
-

What are some cons or challenges?
-
-
-

What are the first 1-2 steps someone might take to pursue this?
1.
2.

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Journal

My Musical Journey Ahead

Take some time to reflect on the different musical pathways we've explored today. What thoughts and feelings came up for you?

## Prompt 1: Pathways that Resonate
Out of all the pathways we discussed (Higher Education, Professional Careers, Community & Hobbies, Personal Enrichment), which one or two resonated with you the most? Why do you feel drawn to them? What specific aspects excite you?











## Prompt 2: Visualizing Your Future
Imagine yourself 5 or 10 years from now. How do you see music fitting into your life? What role does it play? Don't be afraid to dream big, even if you're not sure how you'll get there yet.











## Prompt 3: Taking the First Step
Based on your reflections and the pathways you explored, what is one small, actionable step you could take in the next week or month to move closer to your musical goals? This could be anything from researching a specific college program to practicing a new skill for 15 minutes a day.






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