Bandology is excited to present our collection of plug-and-play lesson plans! These resources are free to keep and use in your music classrooms, and include lessons written by working music teachers and our own Bandology staff. Our lesson plans cover the Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions. We also have materials for homeschooling parents, teachers interested in introducing barbershop-style singing and other fun activities. Please enjoy these materials and feel free to share with your colleagues!

Senior

Music as Fundraising

Lesson Plan

Student Handout

Careers in Music

Lesson Plan

Slides, Student Handout and Rubric

Protest Music

Lesson Plan and Teacher Reference Guide

Slide Deck, Lyrics Handout and Frayer Handout

Building Your Composing Toolbox

Google Slides

Lesson Plan

Collaborative Composition

Lesson Plan

Music and Mental Health

Lesson Plan

Student Handouts, Rubric and Poster

Gender Stereotyping and Instruments

Lesson Plan | Note: This lesson plan is designed to accompany instrument selection, but can be used for discussion afterwards as well!

Inspired by Canada

Lesson Plan

Student Handout and Rubric

Triad Building – Find a Friend!

Lesson Plan

Composition 101 – Part 1

Lesson Plan

Slides, Student Handout and Listening Log

Composition 101 – Part 2

Lesson Plan

Slides, Student Handout, Listening Log

Junior/Intermediate

Boomwhackers & Reading Notation

Presentation

Lesson Plan

One Word Compositions

Lesson Plan

Junior

Cover Songs

Presentation

Lesson Plan

Sounds of Superheroes

Lesson Plan

Science of Sound

Presentation

Unit Plan

Homeschooling mom, musician and owner of Kaos Music Shana Bates gives her advice on how to approach making music a part of your children’s’ learning journey!

Barbershop and A Capella Singing

Alana Regular, the Young Women in Harmony Co-ordinator for the Lake Ontario Region of Sweet Adelines International, has written a lesson plan introducing barbershop and a capella harmony for students age 12-18. This lesson covers a history of barbershop style, its modern context and the basics of singing in four-part barbershop harmony! A supplemental guide for educators is also provided here.

Our Authors

Dan Austin

Author of “Building Your Composing Toolbox”

Dan Austin has been teaching Instrumental and Vocal Music for 20 years, and is currently the Band Director and Instrumental Music Teacher at GCVI in Guelph. In 2020 Dan was named the inaugural winner of the prestigious Beckwith Award by the Canadian Music Centre (https://on.cmccanada.org/ba-dan-austin/). A graduate of York University’s Jazz Music Program, Dan has developed and built strong music programs at both the elementary and secondary levels at Twin Lakes Secondary School, Glenhaven Senior Public School, and Mitchell Woods Public School. He has presented clinics at the Ontario Music Educators Association conference and is a regular contributor to the Canadian Music Educators Association Journal, Ontario Music Educators Association Journal, and the Ontario District Trillium Magazine. Dan has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and York University.

Emma Barrett

Author of “Gender Stereotypes and Instruments” and “Triad Building”

Emma Barrett (she/they) received an Honours Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and has recently earned their Bachelor of Education degree from Western University. Emma is I/S certified with music and French language teachable subjects. Emma is currently pursuing an MA in Education at the University of Ottawa to study equity and inclusion issues in classrooms.

Shana Bates

Author of “Homeschooling and Music Education”

I’m Shana and I am a homeschooling mom. My kids are 13 and 15 years old and I feel lucky to be able to spend as much time with them as I do. They are amazing people. I have had a number of fun adventures and chapters in my life so far. I have a degree from UWO in music education, have worked in communications at IBM, have owned and operated a recording studio, have worked as a stage manager and audio tech in theatres around the country, have worked at a talent agency and as a production assistant on events around the country. I have been on the team at Kaos Music Lesson Studios and have had the privilege of being a stay at home mom and, in recent years, a homeschooling mom. This has been by far my favourite job so far!

Camellia Spinotti

Author of “Music as Fundraising”

With passions for education and student empowerment, Camellia Spinotti strives to help her students find their voice through music. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Camellia has enjoyed teaching both in Ontario and abroad in Poland, and is currently working with the Waterloo District School Board as a supply teacher.

Lisa Cooper

Author of “Cover Songs”

Lisa Cooper has been an educator in elementary public schools in Halton for over 10 years. She has completed Level II of Orff training at RCM and is an active member of the Ontario and Canada Orff Chapters, and has been a regular participant and presenter at OMEA. For the last 7 years, she has focused her teaching on music, dance and drama, in both French and English, and has led many extra-curricular activities such as choirs, concerts and musicals. In her spare time, she is sings for the Circle of Harmony Sweet Adeline a cappella group in Oakville, and is enjoying her new empty nest with her husband now that her 2 grown children are away at school.

Stephanie Cooper

Author of “Sounds of Superheroes”

Stephanie Cooper is a Primary/Junior music teacher who parlays her interest in musicals and soundtracks into her program.  She played baritone in various ensembles and yes, actually attended band camp.  She loves teaching mini courses helping teachers be more confident in teaching music through integrating other subject knowledge.

Laura Drexler

Author of “Inspired by Canada”

Laura Drexler holds degrees in both Geography and Instrumental Music from the University of Windsor, a BEd from Western,  and an Honours Specialist in Music from Queens. She has taught music in schools in Parry Sound, Pickering, Cambridge and Toronto. Her passion is cross curricular aspects of music and how music is integrated as a reflection of culture.

Megan Harton

Co-author of “Composition 101”

As a multi-instrumentalist and avid composer, Megan Harton has surrounded themselves with music from a young age. Their music draws inspiration from the intersections of memory,place, and people, often engaging with social commentary and real-life experience. A Bandology staff alumnus, Megan has performed many styles of music in different groups, including rock and jazz groups, and have performed in wind orchestras and brass ensembles. They studied music composition and trumpet, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Music in Composition at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Jeremy Hunter

Author of “Boomwhackers & Reading Notation”

Jeremy Hunter received his Honours BMus from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2019, with a concentration in Music Education and a minor in French.  His major instrument was cello. He completed his BEd at Western University in 2021, and is certified in the Intermediate and Senior Divisions for Instrumental Music and French as a second language.

Mitch McIntyre

Author of “Collaborative Composition”

Mitch McIntyre is a graduate of the Jazz Performance program at York University where he studied saxophone. Following his time at York, he studied at Queens University where he received his Bachelor of Education. Currently, Mitch teaches instrumental music and guitar at his alma mater Sudbury Secondary School. Mitch also directs the school’s Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. Since starting at Sudbury Secondary, Mitch’s focus has been on building the music program and engaging students. Highlights of the past couple of years include bringing his bands to festivals in Toronto, Boston, and Chicago. In Chicago, the music program was granted the Spirit of the Festival award for their outstanding performances, positivity, and commitment to excellence. This is Mitch’s sixth year of teaching and he is loving every moment of it!

Anne McLeod

Author of “Science of Sound”

Anne McLeod has been an instrumental and vocal music teacher with the HWDSB for 20 years, in both elementary and secondary school settings. Earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Education from OISE/UT, she aims to create a learning environment that is cross-curricular, inclusive of all music and accessible to students of all experience levels.

Katie Nicholl

Author of “One Word Composition”

Katie Nicholl is a K-8 music teacher in the Upper Grand District School Board, teaching in Guelph. She runs a primary and junior vocal program and teaches intermediate instrumental music. This past fall, she graduated from the Masters of Community Music program at Laurier. Katie has a passion for intergenerational music-making as evidenced by her commitment as a qualified Kindermusik teacher and by conducting an adult handbell choir. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her husband and 2 children.

Alana Regular

Author of “Vocal Canons and Ostinati”

Alana Regular has many years of musical experience, from playing clarinet in her school band to performing in musical theatre, such as Scarborough Choral Society’s productions of Fiddler on the Roof and The Music Man. Alana joined the barbershop world in 1999, singing with Sweet Adelines International (SAI), and is currently a member of North Metro Chorus. She has sung in various quartets over the years and currently sings with Glisten Quartet. She also holds the position of Lake Ontario Region 16, Young Women in Harmony Coordinator (SAI), where her duties include creating youth outreach education of the barbershop art form. Alana’s passion for performing and connecting with audiences has inspired her to pursue new opportunities for learning and to motivate and encourage others to enjoy a successful musical journey.

Michael Ricciardi

Author of “Careers,” “Protest Music” and “Music and Mental Health”
Co-author of “Composition 101”

As part of various musical ensembles across Southern Ontario, Michael Ricciardi enjoys performing and making music education meaningful and accessible for all youth. He has a Bachelor of Music from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Education from Western University, and is currently studying for his Masters in Educational/Instructional Technology at UBC. He has worked with the TDSB Digital Lead Learner program, and was a guest instructor with the YRDSB. A Bandology staff alumnus, he is excited to be part of a community that advocates for music education.

Tammy Rogerson

Author of “Vocal Canons and Ostinati”

Tammy Rogerson holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from Western University, an Honours Specialist in Music from the University of Toronto, and an A.R.C.T. Performer’s Certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music.  In addition to teaching vocal music in the Waterloo Region District School Board, Tammy owned a Kindermusik studio in which she connected with children in the Waterloo region. A well respected teacher and choral director, her choirs earned outstanding recognition at regional and national music festivals, performing with various guest artists at the Centre In The Square, community orchestras and the KW Symphony Orchestra. Tammy retired in 2020 from Eastwood Collegiate in Kitchener, home to the region’s Integrated Arts Program.