About Me:

 
 

My name is Angela Harman and I am currently a full time orchestra teacher in Mapleton, Utah.   I am passionate about music education and have taught orchestra in Utah’s Nebo School District for 15 years.  In each of the schools where I have taught, I have successfully grown the orchestra programs by over 400% .  It has been an honor to receive several awards, including: Give A Note Tour and Ardy from Radio Disney and the Give a Note foundation in 2016,  Superior Accomplishment Award from the Utah Music Educators association in 2017, and the 2020 Best of State in public music education from bestofstate.org.

I enjoy presenting and have presented at the NAfME National Conference in 2015, 2016, and 2017.  I have also presented for the UMEA conference , Rocky Mountain Strings Academy, OKMEA conference, NMMEA conference, ASTA National conference, and many more. 

If you would like to book me for your next conference as a keynote speaker or presenter, contact me for availability!

Orchestra Classroom Ideas and Products

Your source for awesome ideas and time-saving printable resources.

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Creative Strings: Beginning Fiddle Bowing

$ 25.00 USD

Help your beginners learn to play in a groove, maintain pulse, learn fiddle bowings, and create/improv their own variations while learning how to turn Hot Cross Buns into a fiddle tune. This resource features 7 detailed lesson plans, resources for drilling rhythms, worksheets for students to demonstrate understanding of rhythm and create their own variations, videos for teaching/play along by Christian Howes, and backtracks to use for practicing. This introductory price includes an amazing BONUS resource: Creative Twinkles.


Traditionally, beginners are taught a somewhat rigid curriculum, focusing solely on technique and music literacy. While these elements are essential, it is equally important to recognize that even our youngest musicians possess an innate sense of curiosity and creativity, waiting to be unleashed. I've always felt my lesson plans were creating and engaging, but I realized there was more I could do to help my students begin to CREATE. By embracing their inherent creativity early on, we can nurture their confidence, problem-solving abilities, and overall connection to the music.

Allowing students to explore their own musical ideas from the outset is a vital step towards their growth as musicians. Nurturing a safe and supportive environment gives students the freedom to make choices about what notes and rhythms to play. This approach not only empowers them but also instills a sense pride in their musical achievements.

So here's the big news. I recently collaborated with Christian Howes to develop a resource for beginning orchestra classroom to help students learn fiddle bowing in a way that allows for exploration and creativity. I can no longer just pass out a piece of music and go about rehearsing note after note and rhythm after rhythm. I want my students to be making choices and exploring the sound on their instruments. I want them thinking about how they want the music to sound.

 

CREATIVE STRINGS: BEGINNING FIDDLE BOWING features 7 detailed lesson plans with videos by Christian Howes to help teach students bowing simple fiddle rhythms, playing in a groove, maintaining a steady beat, improv using various fiddle rhythms, and turning Hot Cross Buns into a fiddle tune.  

For a limited time, anyone who purchases Creative Strings: Beginning Fiddle Bowing will also receive a free BONUS resource: Creative Twinkles. This is a fun series of videos and worksheets for students to explore and create Twinkle Variations.

Need a presenter for your next music teacher conference?  

Prepared Orchestra Sessions for Music Education Conferences:

These are just some of the sessions I have presented at conferences all over the US.  You may contact me for availability to present at your conference: angela.harman@orchestraclassroom.com

 "No More Beginners Blues: Tips for making your beginning orchestra class irresistibly fun while still focusing on good pedagogy"

"Talent Doesn’t Grow on Trees…It Grows in Orchestra!:  Motivating and inspiring students to practice using fun and creativity"

"Orchestra Gives You Wings!  How to propel student learning for a flying start"

"TEN Strategies to Help Your Beginners Start Strong...  Tips and tricks to help your beginners learn better and faster."

"How to Recruit Like a Pro...  How to sell your program and help it thrive."

"Re-energized Rehearsals...  Keep students engaged and wanting more after every rehearsal"