STAFF-TRAINING WORKSHOPS
for Professional Development, In-Service, etc.
These workshops are geared towards educators, librarians, recreational leaders and counsellors who work with
preK – 5th graders. Workshops can be included as part of a residency, or presented
separately. Here are descriptions of the workshops, with a few testimonials as well.
1. “Welcome to the Callithumpian Corral!”
INSTRUMENT-MAKING
This is a totally FUN, whimsical, yet profound workshop that runs from 1-3 hours. It’s a basic, practical,
hands-on program on how to make simple instruments with groups of young folks. Participants are skillfully
guided on the best use of common materials and simple hand-tools, on how to make and play the instruments;
and they are offered tips on introducing the projects to the children with whom they work as well as teaching
playing techniques. (This is, for sure, a very non-musician-friendly workshop.) Cross-curricular applications are
then brainstormed with the group, as well as ways to adapt the projects for different ages, abilities, group
sizes and time-frames. We also have a group “jam” on our instruments, if time allows. Hand-outs on each
instrument made reinforce the learned skills. Some of the possibleprojects include: shakers, straw oboes,
Rainsticks, cuicas, pan pipes, washtub bass, drums, one-string jug banjos, tubaphones, thumb-
pianos (m’biras) and marimbas. How many projects are covered depends on the length of the workshop.
Comments on this workshop:
“Once again your workshop was the hit of the Teachers’ Program…..our participants were eager for the
hands-on experience you gave them. I would highlight a few points that the attendees seemed to appreciate most.
You combine elements the way teachers must in classroom settings. They learn quickly to work together,
teach each other, learn by doing and appreciate small differences among us. Secondly, the process you set
up encourages creativity. Teachers stepped outside of their starting assumptions. Being able to hear and see
and feel the results is a big plus compared to much of what we learn in continuing professional education.
Third was the variety of skills and information that you provide year after year. Those of us responsible
for the design of the Teachers’ Professional Development Program have special appreciation for the potential
of the workshops you provide……(T)hankyou for your continuing service to the community.”
– Stuart Vexler, PhD., Chairman, Board of Directors, TX Folk Music Foundation/Kerrville Folk Festival
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“I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns of music
and all the arts are the keys of learning” – Plato
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2. SONGS FOR SPARE MOMENTS
and SONGS THAT TEACH ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
A one-hour workshop that offers a passle of fun and easy songs to fill those transitions…..
Finger plays, call-and-response, singing-games and sure-fire attention-getters and group
energizers to get bodies moving and neurons firing!
Hand-outs contain the lyrics to the songs and a brief description of movements involved.
Comments:
“You are full of so many wonderful ideas and have so much to offer. And you do what you do with such
enthusiasm, and do it so well!”
-Marilyn Coffin, past-pres. NH Music Educator’s Association, Spring Workshop day
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4. “RECYCLED SONGWRITING”
This is a 1-2 hour workshop for K-6th grade teachers on how to re-write songs. It’s a hands-on adventure in creating
lyrics to fit pre-existing songs. We work in small or large groups, start with changing a few lyrics (“zipper” songs) and move
into re-writing an entire song. No special musical/singing skills required. Some possible areas of focus are : Writing Songs
to Teach Content / Writing a School Song / Writing to Encourage Literacy Skills
Post-workshop activities can include a concert with Purly to celebrate the songwriting process and/or an in-school
digital recording session(s) to document student-written songs.
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5. GUITAR/UKULELE INSTRUCTION
A 1-2 hour workshop on basic-to-intermediate guitar playing, geared to “prime”
educators and group leaders who want to, or already play guitar, enabling them to become more effective musicians
and song-leaders. Drawing on 40+ years of experience as a guitar teacher (and song leader), I offer tips on using
simple chords, picks and strums; how to choose a good key to sing in; use of a capo; how to transpose easily; how to
introduce new songs to groups of children and/or how to instruct children in guitar playing.
FEES / INFO contact:
Fees are determined by length of workshop and whether it is part of a residency. Group size
may be limited – depending on which workshop is presented. Materials, travel and lodging
(if applicable) are charged separately. Average fees run $125-400 for 1-3 hr. workshops.
info@purlygates.com
MAKE A “RADIO PLAY” on an iPAD!
Combines music, poetry, script-writing, production techniques and excitement to create a short “Radio Play” (think: Podcast), using an iPad and imagination. Depending on time-frame and teacher involvement, students may write a song, a poem, dialog or pseudo-commercials for ‘voice actors’; they may research material for ‘Joke Time’, and practice public speaking – as well as learning a few tricks for sound effects while discovering what the amazing world of Multi-track Recording & Editing can do. Several classes may collaborate on a single project. Single-class limit for each workshop session, which runs 1-3 hours/1-5 days. Click here to listen to an excerpt of the Radio Play from Mtn. View Elem, Elko, NV
ABOUT MULTI-TRACK RECORDING WORKSHOPS
Using iPads (provided by school, venue or participants) with the Garage Band app already installed,
students are guided through a partial exploration of this deep, intuitive application.
The group will be led through a step-by-step process to create a multi-track composition. Second graders through young adults will delight in creating rhythm and lead tracks -
no musical experience necessary!
Students are taught how to make their own recordings of original stories and poems – which provides
excellent motivation for creative writing AND personal feedback for read-aloud and public speaking skills. Additionally, participants can create a musical “backing track” or sound effects track that first with their
content. Small group / Workshops range from 1-3 hours / 1-5 days.
ABOUT SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS
With little more than a chalkboard or large paper-pad, a CD-quality recorder (which I provide) and a group
of enthusiastic young folks – we can (1) create a “recycled” song (old melody with new, original lyrics) or
(2) write a totally original song with new, original music and lyrics.
The workshop lasts from 1-5 days, about 45-50 minutes per session, depending on which approach is
taken, budget, time, age-level, etc.This workshop works well with grades 2-5; 4th grade is the preferred
age for song-writing. (Single-class or smaller ‘core’ groups)
Possible goals are to write a song about a theme/topic from the curriculum; to write a school song;
to write a song about bullying, self-esteem or a topic chosen by the students themselves; or to write a
song about a community member – to honor that person.
Usually we record the song during the last session, so that it may be transferred onto an audio CD for
the school. (This is typically done as part of a residency program.)
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OTHER WORKSHOPS (for those who dare)
Purly is also available to teach strange and unusual skills such as:
• How to Play a Mouth Trumpet &/or Nose Flute
• Percussion for the Musically-Challenged
• How to Spin the Flat Loop
• The Fine Art of Playing the Washtub Bass
• Accordion Appreciation and other Semi-Extinct Behavior Patterns
• How to Have Fun with a Bucket
These workshops are offered to ANY age child, 6-96.
Purly also teaches Beginner & Intermediate Guitar, Ukulele, 5-string Banjo, Accordion, Upright and Electric Bass
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FEES, ETC.
Residencies generally start at $400/day (Concerts, staff-training, materials, travel and lodging are extra);
Residencies are limited to 5, 45-minute sessions/day with single-class or core-groups only;
Minimum residency length is 3 days. Workshops are variable, depending on how many, length, group size, if a concert is also booked, etc.
Cost of materials & prep-time is extra; travel and lodging may be charged (depending on miles from home); Fees for stand-alone workshops range from $75-125/hour. Staff-training workshops generally start at $150/hr.
CONTACT PURLY for a specific fee quote: info@purlygates.com
RESIDENCIES AND WORKSHOPS FOR ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN
RESIDENCIES vary in length from 3 (the “mini”) to 90 days. They typically are comprised of two or more of the following elements :
• An Introductory Concert by Purly for the entire school population, or just the participating grade levels; • “Core Group” Workshops to make instruments, write a collective song or learn multi-track recording;
Core groups work best as small groups (15 students or less) and may focus on one or two grade levels;
Core groups can be full-classes, but project choice is limited for instrument-making; Core Groups typically meet daily
during the Residency, and focus on a more in-depth project than 1-time classroom visits afford;
• Roaming Visit to Individual Classrooms to sing curriculum-related songs, demo various instruments, perhaps have hands-on with some instruments, engage in movement activities or make a very quick, very simple musical instrument; (activities are always age-appropriate)
• Teacher In-Service/ Staff Development Workshops on Using Songs in the Classroom, Songs for
Spare Moments, Instrument Making in the Classroom or using iPads with the Garage Band app to
motivate students and enrich your Language Arts curriculum.
• a Culminating Event, often called a “Sharing Session”, which can be a partial- or an all-school assembly &/or an
evening Community Event. This is the time when the students share what they have learned/made/written during the residency.
Each residency is tailored specifically to fit the needs of the school or venue. Grades pre-K -6.
For more information on residencies, please contact Purly. Workshops can be booked as stand-alone, partial- or full-day programs. Group size may be limited.
(You do not need to schedule a residency in order to book workshops, but there will be a minimum number number of workshops required.) Workshops may also be booked in conjunction with concerts, which which can results in a lower rate for workshop fees.