UHCC Part Time Student Project Year-End Report Form One report should be completed for each project.

Transcription

1 1 UHCC Part Time Student Project Year-End Report Form One report should be completed for each project. Project Title: Piano Ensemble for Part-Time Students Date of Report: September 26, 2014 Proposer s Name: Anne Ku Campus: UH Maui College Project Description (summarized from approved proposal): Proposer s Address: anneku@hawaii.edu UHCC Reference No. Project focuses on developing a stronger network of support to meet the needs of part-time students by engaging students through music. Summary of Results: The grant enabled part-time students to practice in environments conducive to piano practice, during the limited time they are on campus. The project not only helped raise awareness of the existence of piano classes but also procured the much-needed digital pianos, sheet music, and other vital supplies to increase the cap of each piano class. Prior to this, piano classes were capped at 10 maximum students, as half of the installed pianos were broken or suboptimal. This project proved the concept that a piano class can be taught and conducted as a piano ensemble, requiring participants to arrive on time, be present, and benefit from the communal activity --- elements that are completely absent in the traditional approach of individualized learning and instruction (through headphones). The piano ensemble approach also allowed regular performance opportunity in front of peers and collaboration between students. This new approach can be applied to a one-credit ensemble class in Spring 2015, to include non-pianists, as a natural extension of this project. Project Completion Date: June 30, 2014

2 2 Actions Planned (from approved proposal) 1. Purchase digital pianos to situate in four locations outside the piano classroom to give access to students to practice outside class time. 2. Purchase Sibelius 7.0 the professional notation software to enable instructor to arrange music for different levels. Purchase printer to print music. Purchase books and sheet music to build a library for shared use. 3. Compensate instructor for composing, arranging, and adapting music to students in the class. 4. Compensate instructor to design, develop, promote and provide THREE free one-hour taster workshops to encourage new students to participate. Completed? (If not, please explain.) Yes. Four new digital pianos were procured at the beginning of the project for the Lahaina Education Center and three locations on the Kahului campus: Veteran Resource Center, The Learning Center, and Laulima Building room 105. The budget permitted four additional digital pianos to be purchased for the piano classroom Kupa a 104. The tuning of the two acoustic grand pianos increased the ensemble size. Yes. Sibelius software was installed on the instructor s computers AND piano classroom computer. Two printers were purchased - one for the shared lecturers office and one for the piano classroom. One-year subscriptions were made to three sheet music websites for unlimited downloads. Piano music books for different skill levels and music genres were purchased to complement and supplement the existing limited collection. As a result of this expanded sheet music access, the end-ofsemester piano recital program presented a high diversity of music. Yes. Instructor arranged eight pieces for piano ensemble (group playing), allowing for players of different skill levels, and published the sheet music online for free, unobstructed downloading. Yes. FOUR one-hour taster-workshops were conducted, including one for UHMC teachers and counselors, in which the students acted as coaches and helpers. The Earth Day Jam on April 22nd was full house and particularly successful because four professional musicians (non-pianists) were involved. Enrollment increased in Spring 2014 because of the first public group playing in December 2013.

3 3 Effectiveness Indicators/Outcomes and Benchmarks (from approved proposal) Digital piano usage. Completion rates. Continuation rates. Absenteeism and tardiness. Effectiveness of arrangements for group piano. Students continue to degree or certificate? Part-time students become full-time students? Increase continuation rate (register next semester for next level piano course) by 100% Increase number of PT students registering FT in subsequent terms by 50% Results (If continuation project, also include prior year s outcomes.) Sign-in sheets from three locations showed digital pianos were used on a daily basis. As there was no contention, given the explicit prioritization 1) part-time enrolled students in piano class; 2) other enrolled piano students; 3) other piano students; 4) others, it was not necessary to have a sign-up sheet. Three students received incompletes, including one that chose to retake the class. Thus completion rate has improved from previous (Fall 2013) semester. One person chose to continue to the next piano class the following semester (Fall 2014). Attendance improved. Tardiness reduced. The piano ensemble approach required everyone to arrive on time before the ensemble could begin. Peer pressure from such community collaboration helped lower absenteeism and tardiness. The arrangements went through several reiterations via feedback from students. The most advanced students sight-read and tested the first draft. Eventually, the class tried the pieces, sometimes simultaneously with Youtube video. Five of the eight arrangements were performed in class. One part-time student graduated with an AA degree and continued to distance education. It s too early to tell what one semester of piano ensemble had on the students. Three of the twelve part-time students in the instructor s three piano classes (Spring 2014) continued to full-time status in the following semester (Fall 2014). Not possible to monitor, because the two evening piano classes offered for Fall 2014 were cancelled in early August due to overall low enrollment (7% decrease at UHMC from previous year). Historically, students registered late, and fall semester has lower enrollments than spring. Not indicative, because piano class is not the sole determinant of PT to FT registration.

4 4 Discussion of results: In the absence of a procurement clerk (the position was advertised before the project began but not filled until well after the project was over) and designated project administration assistance AND the short time frame of the project, the proposer decided against going down the super quote route to procuring the four high-end three-year warranted digital pianos specified in the original budget. [There were issues with a coincident superquote that was turned down.] Instead, less expensive digital pianos were purchased via P-cards in stages to allow acclimatization of the piano instructors and students to the different models (types) of pianos. To get the required pianos, notation software, and other items at the beginning of the project, the proposer engaged the following people to help with P-cards and purchase order: chancellor s secretary, vice chancellor s (principal investigator) secretary, chancellor s office interns (secretary s assistants), humanities department secretary, Edventure (continuing education) secretary, and director of Lahaina Education Center. As the humanities department had not budgeted tuning of the two acoustic grand pianos which were needed for ensemble playing and there was budget from this project, the proposer obtained a purchase order to get the two pianos tuned, thus adding two more working pianos to the ensemble. The resulting purchase of greater number of less expensive pianos freed up the budget for other previously unforeseen necessities, such as flash drives and portable external hard drives to back-up and transfer the sheet music, performance videos, piano photos, and other promotional material for the one-hour workshop from the classroom computer to students and back-up devices. Purchase of additional headphones and adaptors allowed students to borrow them in class and at the various locations instead of having to own and carry them. Availability of such headsets, adaptors, and flash drives reduced the time spent fiddling with setting up, printing, copying, and other administration. To promote the free one-hour taster workshops, also known as piano jams, the proposer collaborated with the instructor of the photography class and the design class. Photography students spent an hour taking photos of the Friday afternoon class. These high-quality photos were used by students in the design class to create color posters for the Earth Day Jam (April 22, 2014) and the final performance concert (May 7, 2014). These color posters were printed and displayed in the campus library and the piano classroom, with a curator s statement, piano ensemble poster exhibition, thus raising the profile about this project. In addition, the Earth Day Jam was promoted as part of Open Music Week (open music classes) and coincident with the double blessing of electric vehicle charging stations on campus. Two members of The Boom Booms Band from Vancouver, Canada and two local musicians joined the Earth Day Piano Jam, a full-house event. The piano jam opened with the proposer s pilates teacher conducting a five-minute pilates warm-up exercise. The high profile public piano jam sent a message to the community that the college offered music classes in which everyone could participate. The purchase of music books and sheet music and subscription to three online sheet music websites provided students with unlimited choice of piano repertoire. In the two years of teaching piano, the proposer (instructor) has never seen a greater diversity of piano works in the final performance concert. Access to such sheet music also allowed the instructor to make interesting arrangements for the piano ensemble.

5 5 Discussion of effectiveness indicators/outcomes and benchmarks identified in approved proposal: Electric piano usage -- there was no need for an online sign-up sheet because of the low number of piano students and relatively high availability of alternative piano locations (four compared to zero previously). The hard copy, manual signin sheet at the location of the piano was sufficient to attract students to use the pianos. The site owners (Veterans Resource Center and The Learning Center at Kahului campus in particular) observed that the presence of good pianos attracted people to practice. Continuation rate (to take next piano class) is not an effective indicator because some students were dissuaded by their counselors to take a subsequent piano class. They were told to fulfill the core requirements for their degree first. This explains why some students wait until the last semester before they graduate to take a piano class, as piano is perceived to be an easy and enjoyable elective. In effect, the two-credit piano elective helps senior students complete their degrees. Counselors are supportive of students taking piano to balance other more demanding lecture-based course loads. Five of the twelve part-time students in the instructor s three piano classes (Spring 2014) did not enroll this semester (Fall 2014) to take any class, preferring instead to work. Even if they desired to enroll, there were no evening piano classes offered. It is also too early to tell (after one semester) if a part-time student will declare a major, change to full-time, and/or continue to get a degree or certificate. Discussion of relationship of results to campus and UHCC strategic plans: ( The placement of digital pianos for use outside the classroom and the cross-promotion of Earth Day Piano Jam (workshop) raised the profile of the music department and the offering of piano classes at the college. The purchase of headphones, adaptors, and sheet music provided greater accessibility for students. This fulfills Goals 2 and 3 of the UHMC Strategic Plan and Goal A (Part 1) of UHCC Strategic Plan.

6 6 Discussion of scalability and sustainability of the project based upon the results: On scalability, the proposer introduced herself to two music instructors at Windward College to meet regarding this project and exchanged desire for future collaboration. While visiting Windward College for the 50th anniversary of UHCC strategy institute and the following week for the 2nd UH Sustainability Summit, the proposer toured their music classrooms and facilities and noticed the existence of piano labs, music study rooms, and an auditorium with stage. UHMC has just two classrooms for music teaching. One, so-called the piano classroom in Kupa a 104 is half-filled with digital pianos and the other half with chairs. The other is designated for digital recording, guitar, ukulele, and Hawaiian steel string guitar. Greater investment is needed in appropriate space for UHMC music classes. Locating four pianos outside the classroom is the first step. From discussions with other college-level class piano teachers, it is evident that the only ensemble aspect is unison playing. At UHMC, we have developed various types of group playing, such as antiphonal, playing with Youtube or other audio accompaniment, different parts for different skill levels, etc. It seems that the piano ensemble approach is a novel method of teaching group piano, one that requires conducting skills and sheet music arranged for different levels. With appropriate investment and training, this ensemble approach could be shared with other instructors at other campuses. The ensemble approach can also be applied to other instrumental classes, such as ukulele, guitar, steel guitar, and mixed ensembles. On sustainability, the most evident result of this project is the huge increase in number of students in daytime classes, at 16 and 18 this Fall 2014 semester. Previously, enrollment was capped at 10 to match the number of working pianos in class. Unlike previous semesters, students are not required to invest in their own pianos and headphones upfront. The availability of pianos in four other locations greatly increases accessibility and visibility. Notwithstanding this, the purchase and installment of eight less expensive pianos at one to two year warranties (compared to the originally budgeted four expensive pianos with 3-year warranties) translates to earlier replacement or higher maintenance costs. Funding will be needed for replacement and maintenance of these digital pianos and associated accessories.

7 7 Expenditure Report: Use original budget from approved proposal and add line(s) to show actual expenses and total. Highlight or notate changes from original budget and provide explanation. A PERSONNEL (itemization required) Amount Budgeted in Approved Proposal Amount Expended A1 Instructor time $4, instructor s non-instructional overload wages: $6, A2 Fringe benefit $1, fringe benefit: $ B B1 B2 C C1 TOTAL PERSONNEL $6, $6, SUPPLIES (itemization required) Sibelius 7.0 music notation software B&W Laser Printer, toner cartridges, white paper Alfred s Adult Group Piano I&II Hal Leonard & Other Piano Ensemble Collections 4 x Yamaha Arius digital pianos 12 x Hosa adaptors 6 x jacksplitter 6 x Sennheiser headphones $ $ $96.42 $ $9, $36.00 $12.00 $ Sibelius 7.0 software $ B&W laser printers, toner cartridges, paper $ Amazon piano books $ online sheet music subscriptions $ digital pianos (Yamaha & Casio) + 8 benches $6, piano tuning $ Sennheiser headphones, 4 piano pedals, adaptors $ Earth Day Piano Jam (leis, poster paper) $ Various supplies (hole-puncher, flash drives, external hard drives, printer toner cartridge) $ TOTAL SUPPLIES $10, $10, EQUIPMENT (itemization required) NONE C2 TOTAL TOTAL BUDGET REQUEST $17, $17,333.12

8 8 Explanation for deviation of amount expended from amount budgeted: A. Personnel The Personnel Department at UHMC determined that the instructor s time to adapt/arrange music for ensemble and promote one-hour taster workshop was not instructional and therefore could not be given the three teaching credits. Instead, the total amount was recalculated as non-instructional overload wage for adjunct lecturer with reduced fringe benefit rate. B. Supplies Sibelius 7.0 notation software professional version was listed as $ Due to the academic status of UHMC, it was possible to procure the same software at $ thus two packages allowed the installation on maximum four computers. Other music instructors are thus able to take advantage of this software. Two different black & white laser printers and associated extra toner cartridges allowed flexibility of printing (in the classroom and the shared lecturers office). Extra warranties were also purchased (hence over-budget). Savings from reduced piano costs allowed for the order of additional piano books from Amazon.com, discounts in shipping costs (due to bulk order and free shipping) and one-off one-year online sheet music subscription. A detailed list is provided on the last page of this report. At time of grant application, it was envisioned (expected) that the four Yamaha Arius pianos could be 1) ordered from stateside, and 2) procured using Superquote. After the grant was awarded, it emerged that Amazon did not deliver the pianos to Hawaii. A local supplier needed to be sourced. Furthermore, a superquote for several high-end pianos was already in place with the local supplier and that had issues. Later that existent superquote was kicked back and had to start over (but this didn t happen). The lack of procurement assistance and uncertainty in procurement method made it risky to follow the same lengthy and opaque approach. Eight less expensive digital pianos were procured in stages. At first, in mid-january 2014, just two kinds of digital pianos were procured via a P-card to kickstart the project, while waiting for procurement assistance. With positive experience of the Casio PX850, another one was ordered together with two different Yamaha models in early May 2014, in anticipation of the final student concert and fourth one-hour taster workshop. As there was leftover funds in early June and all funding must be expended by June 30th -- and the superquote that had existed prior to this project was cancelled thus yielding no extra pianos, the proposer decided to purchase another three digital pianos that had the features of the more expensive ones. Piano tuning of the two acoustic grand pianos was not originally budgeted, as the proposer envisioned the piano ensemble to be comprised of digital pianos only. As the one-hour taster workshops in December and March were so wellattended and there was funding available from this project but none for tuning (from the department), the proposer decided to use the project funds to get the two acoustic grand pianos tuned (a task that was overdue) to allow the two pianos to be used in ensemble practice and performance. To alleviate the need to micromanage students to remember to purchase and bring their headphones and adaptors, and largely from the visit to Windward College where such headphones were made available and plugged into the classroom pianos, the proposer decided to use the remaining funds to purchase headphones and adaptors. Without these extra headphones and adaptors, students who forget to bring their own have to play in silence. reason. The less expensive digital pianos do not include the higher-end pedals. Four additional pedals were purchased for this Promotional material was not initially budgeted, and as such promotion of the one-day taster workshops would only be achieved via text online. With the cross-departmental collaboration of the photography and design classes, it was now possible to introduce high quality image in the form of color photographs and posters that could be used in blogs, social media, online albums and exhibitions. The continuing education arm of UHMC (Edventure) offered to print color posters for the Earth Day Jam and the final concert (fourth taster workshop) on their high-end printed if large-size white paper was provided. The printed posters were than displayed in the campus library and the piano classroom and announced as such. In addition, Edventure s secretary used

9 her P-card to get leis on the morning of the Earth Day Jam for us to thank the two elders who blessed the event and the professional musicians who joined our one-hour workshop as well as perform in the double blessing of the electric vehicle charging stations that morning --- an event that promoted our event. To ensure the various versions of the piano ensemble arrangements and the downloaded sheet music (from the three online subscription sites) can be transferred to students, shared with each other, and backed-up, it was necessary to obtain flash drives and external hard drives, which were also needed for the high quality digital photos and large poster files. Finally, to organize the printed sheet music, it was necessary to have a 20-sheet hole-puncher. The music department had no such thing. An extra printer toner cartridge was ordered in anticipation of the need due to frequent use of the classroom printer. 9 Deviation of the actual expended vs original budget = $1.38 under budget

10 10 Detailed list of books and sheet music ordered from Amazon.com (alphabetical order by listed title): A First Book of Jazz: 21 Arrangements for the Beginning Pianist (Dover Music for Piano) Accelerated Piano Adventures For The Older Beginner, Performance Book 1 Accelerated Piano Adventures for the Older Beginner: Popular Repertoire, Book 1 (Faber Piano Adventures) Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Student Book 1 (Second Edition): An Innovative Method Enhanced With Audio and Midi Files for Practice and Performance Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Teacher's Handbook, Bk 1 (Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course) Alfred's Group Piano for Adults: Student Book 2, 2nd Edition (Book & CD-ROM) Big Book of Beginner's Piano Classics (Dover Music for Piano) Bock's Best, Vol. 3: 25 Outstanding Christmas Piano Arrangements Christmas Carols: 44 Favorites with Easy Piano Arrangements (Dover Song Collections) Cocktail Piano Favorites: Solo Arrangements of 15 Jazz Classics (Book/CD) Dan Coates Popular Piano Solos: Advanced Piano Solos (The Professional Touch) Easy Yiruma Piano Concert: A Best Music Book 2012 George Winston Piano Solos Gillock's Festival of Favorites: 21 Piano Solos (Festival of Favorites Series) Grateful - The Songs of John Bucchino Jim Brickman / Piano Anthology (New Age) Lyric Preludes in Romantic Style: 24 Short Piano Pieces in All Keys More Disney Songs For Classical Piano - The Phillip Keveren Series New Age Piano: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series (Book/CD) Piano Fun For Adult Beginners-Recreational Music Making For Private Or Grp Instruction Popular Performer Great American Songbook Pre-Reading Book of Favorites: 40 Arrangements for Beginning Pianists Simply Beautiful Piano, Vol 2: Easy to Play Arrangements That Make You Sound Great (Ekay Edition) The Beatles for Jazz Piano The Beatles for Jazz Piano The Beatles for Solo Piano The Beatles for Solo Piano The Best in Christmas Music Complete, Dan Coates The Best of Ludovico Einaudi: Piano Solo The Piano Guys: Solo Piano with Optional Cello The Recreational Music Making Handbook: A Piano Teacher's Guide The World's Best Piano Arrangements Yiruma Piano Concert Book