Action Plan : Music Guild

Music Guild Action Proposal 2010

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 IN BRIEF

In recent years, SMPAPHM has progressively become active in the field of music and

performance arts, including in the provision of music education as co-curricular activities as well

as participation in national competitions. In light of this shift towards music, and in awareness of

the role of Music Education in SPN21, SMPAPHM has recently established a unit that

exclusively deals with music and music education. The unit is named SMPAPHM Young

Musicians Guild, or simply SMPAPHM Music.

SMPAPHM Music, being a unit that is not a formal society but a guild of loose members,

will now be responsible for the workings of several existing units, clubs and societies.

Established at the end of 2009, the Guild attempts to become the focal point of major music

ensembles, particularly the newly established SMPAPHM Marching Band and SMPAPHM Aria

Orchestra.

This action plan paper proposal intends to describe the how and what of the SMPAPHM

Guild. The paper concerns with the explanation on several key components of the Guild, which

includes among others:

The objectives of the Guild with regards to short term and long term plans

The core structure of the Guild in terms of executive committee and teaching staff

The organization structure and overview of units.

The renovation project of the Music Room and sister rooms.

Future projects


1.2 OBJECTIVES

Listed below are several objectives that the Guild revolves around in terms of principles,

approaches and changes. The objectives are sectioned into their appropriate approaches of action.

It must be noted that the list is not exhaustive and changes may be made when the Guild

commences its administrative year in 2011.

1.2.1 ÒBJECTIVES OF SMPAPHM MUSIC

To make available a unit that would be the focal point of advice and action on the on-

goings of SPN21 Music, if there is a likelihood of it being offered in SMPAPHM.

To organize the different factions of music units in SMPAPHM under one administrative

unit for the ease of bureaucracy, delegation of tasks, collaboration and record keeping.

To provide guided and acknowledged methods of music teaching and training by setting

standards and standardizing concepts of approach, especially with traditional instruments.

To provide music education to students who cannot afford formal music lessons or

owning musical instruments.

To regulate the franchise of music performances in the area of invitations from external

parties.

To offer opportunities for music scholarships

To maintain records and portfolios of musicians in SMPAPHM.

To provide opportunities to students in showcasing their talents.

1.2.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE MUSIC ROOM

To prepare the school for the likelihood of SPN21 Music and Art as an offered optional

subject, with adequate facilities and established physical and administrational

infrastructures.

To provide a complete and conducive rehearsal and learning space for all activities that

concern with music, such as choir, marching band, orchestra, gulingtangan, stage

performance and auditions.


To provide standard and state-of-the-art facilities that are on a par with private schools

and music schools that offer music as a subject.

To make use of a great deal of space that for more than 10 years have been sparingly

used.

To provide a safe and secure space for storage of school owned and Kementerian

Pendidikan owned items, such as a abnd instrument set that amounts to not less than

BND$150,000 alone.

To transform the music room into a harmonious, conducive and positive space for the

learning of music.

To become a makeshift area for activities that needs space or audio equipment, such as

IGCSE listening activities.

To allocate rooms for music teacher offices, repair room, wardrobe storage and practice

room.within one area.

2. COMMITTEE AND TEACHING STAFF

As the Guild is relatively new, a confirmed list of executive committee is yet to be

drafted. However, in light of the need for committees, the Guild will initiate the formation of two

committees. The first committee, the Executive Committee, will comprise of teachers. The

second committee, the Musicians Council, will comprise of students. The roles of each will be

elaborated in their sub-sections.

2.1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee (EC) will comprise of 8 teachers, each handling one position

in the EC. The roles of each committee member are determined according to the requirements set

as follows:


1. President

A teacher who has vast experience in practical and performing arts particularly in the area of

music, music arrangement, songwriting and coaching. Able to read music scores and has

professional qualifications in music and music theory

2. Vice President

A teacher who has some experience in practical and performing arts particularly in the area of

music, music arrangement, sopngwriting and coaching. Able to read music scores and has

professional qualifications in music and music theory.

3. Finance Officer

A teacher who has experience in finances and book-keeping. Has some experience in music and

performing arts.

4. Welfare Officer

A teacher who has experience in students’ welfare and discipline. Has some experience in music

and performing arts.

5. Secretariat and Liaison 1

A teacher who has experience in record keeping, statistics and media promotion. Has some

experience in music and performing arts.

6. Secretariat and Liaison 2

A teacher who has experience in record keeping, statistics and media promotion. Has some

experience in music and performing arts.

7. Program and Fitness Officer

A teacher who has experience in health, fitness and nutrition. Has some experience in music and

performing arts.

8. Creative Officer


2.1.2 FLOATING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Apart from the delegated EC roles on specific EC members, the EC is also assisted by

floating members who are assigned roles as follows:

Trainers

Trainers are teachers who have basic skills in music note reading and/or coaching of specific

instruments or singing.

Heads of Unit

Heads of unit of Gulingtangan, Hadrah, Choir, Drama and Nasyid will also be part of the EC, as

advisory members of the unit that each represent respectively.

2.2 MUSICIANS COUNCIL

The Musicians Council (MC) comprises of students who have been nominated by the EC in

becoming the administrative support for the Guild. The MC is formed by annual election and

will take responsibility of school-level decision making such as ideas on performances, fund-

raising and student activities. The MC is integral in the communication processes of the

Musicians Guild. The communication channels are three pronged:

Executive Committee to Musicians Council

Musicians Council to Executive Committee

Musicians Council to members and students of SMPAPHM

Below are the positions that collectively form the Musicians Council.

1. Chair

The chair is a student who has exceptional talents in music and has a strong leadership trait. The

Chair will also be deployed into the SMPAPHM Student Council as advisor on Music and Arts.

The Chair will also be the proxy conductor and music-master of the Guild.


2. Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair is a student who has exceptional talents in music and has a strong leadership

trait. She will be second in command and will be the leader by default during the Chair’s

absence. The Chair will also be the proxy conductor and music-master of the Guild.

3. Treasurer

The treasurer will work closely with the EC Finance Officer as a personal assistant. She will

hone her craft guided by the EC Finance Officer.

4. Secretary

The Secretary will be responsible with the student level paperwork and will work closely with

EC Secretariat Officers.

5. Publicity Team

The Publicity Team will be responsible for the updating of the Guild Noticeboard as well as

generating ideas in ares of fundraising, archiving, photography and website updates.

Other Members of the Musicians Council

6. Captain of Marching Band

7. Leader of ARIA Orchestra

8. Leader of Gulingtangan

9. Leader of Hadrah

10. Leader of Choir

11. Leader of Music Unit

Apart from being the liaison officer for their respective units, each head will be assigned

Musicians Council responsibilities in rotation. The organization structures of the EC and MC are

diagrammatized in the Appendix.


3. UNITS UNDER THE MUSICIANS GUILD

Currently, below are the music units that reside under the jurisdiction of the Guild. It is

safe to note that each unit is regarded as an independent entity that is able to function on its own,

each with its internal committee. The names given to these units, if available, are highlighted in

brackets. The organization structure of these units are diagrammatized in the Appendix.

1. SMPAPHM Marching Band (Princessa)

2. SMPAPHM Contemporary Orchestra (ARIA Orchestra)

3. SMPAPHM Gulingtangan Ensemble

4. SMPAPHM Music Club (Aviva)

5. SMPAPHM Choir (Choirettes)

6. SMPAPHM Singers (Suara)

Units that are of joint collaboration are listed below with the roles of the Guild in brackets:

7. SMPAPHM Hadrah (music theory training)

8. SMPAPHM Nasyid (vocal and harmony training)

9. SMPAPHM Army Cadet Band (second headquarters and training system)

10. SMPAPHM Drama and Performing Arts (voice projection and harmony training)

4. THE MUSIC ROOM

4.1 DECISION PROCESS

The music room was initially the English Language Audio Lab. However, after

discussions between the Head of Music, the principal of 2009 Cikgu Gazala bte. Abdullah, and

the Deputy Principal Administration of 2009, Cikgu Hj. Saili bin Chuchu, a decision was made

to utilize the music room as the permanent room for any music associated projects. Thus, the

room is now referred to as the music room.


A brief history of the room indicated that it was hardly ever used for at least 10 years.

The equipment that it stored was very much obsolete and non-existent. The English Department

itself rarely used the room due to the lack of air-conditioning, the built-in cubicles and the

distance from the administration department. In addition, the English Department has relocated

its space for any English activities in the new English Reading Room.

Therefore, the Audio Lab was left in a sad state. These are the reasons as to why the Lab

has been chosen as the appropriate site for the setting up of a music room. Furthermore, the Lab

is one of only a few rooms in the school that is secured with heavy duty metal grilles, a

justifiable characteristic seeing that it will eventually store equipment of at least BND$200,000

worth.

4.2 RENOVATION OF THE MUSIC ROOM

The music room is currently undergoing surface level renovation. Renovation of the

music room is heavily reliant on financial budget. So far, there has been no contribution from the

school in renovating the music room. Using personal funding, the head of music has spent at

least BND$2,000 in equipping the room with decent facilities. Currently, these contributions are

on a loan basis, whereby they are under the ownership of the Head of Music.

The renovation of the music room will go through several stages. These stages are

described in detail below. Stages 1 and 2 have been regarded as complete and ongoing. The next

stage involves the extensive renovation of the music room and where a lot of assistance with

regards to financial aid is hoped.

4.2.1 STAGE 1: CREATING A CONDUCIVE SPACE

Removing the cubicle tables

During the 4th term holiday of 2009, several problems that hindered the renovation

process of the music room were tackled. The first action was the removal of the 15 built-in twin


cubicles spread across the room. Approval was given by the Deputy Principal to remove these

cubicles. Currently, these cubicles are stored in the music room and are taking some much

needed space. It is hoped that the cubicles can be moved out of the room in the near future.

Repairing the air-conditioning system and air-conditioners

The music room houses 4 window type air-conditioners and a main circuit board. For

years, these had not been working and were hazardous due to the switches being exposed without

casings. A call was made for repairs and the circuit board and switches were replaced and

rewired. The 4 airconditioners were serviced and repaired but 1 unit was irreparable.

Repairing the ceiling panels and leaking roof

Several ceiling panels were found to have rotted and one wall of the room has a leaking

roof which leaks rainwater every time there is heavy rain. The ceiling panels were replaced with

new ones and there were two attempts of repairing the leaking roof but to date the roof still leaks

in rain water. This problem is not isolated as it also occurs in classrooms where the architectural

structure is the same.

Fitting secure locks

There were discussions of replacing the grilles of the doors with new ones. However, as

this might be too costly, it was decided that padlocks and chains were to be used instead.

4.2.2 STAGE 2: EQUIPPING ROOM WITH BASIC EQUIPMENT

Equipment

Several equipment were brought in. These include a 3-in-1 printer, a bubblejet printer, a

computer monitor, a computer, 4 shelving units, a refrigerator, document storage systems and

carpets.


Musical instruments

Although the room houses a set of marching band instruments, for general music learning

purposes several instruments were brought in to cater for students’ needs throughout 2010. These

instrument included a drumset, a flute, 10 recorders, 2 electric guitars, 1 acoustic guitar, 1

electric bass, 1 professional keyboard, 1 beginner keyboard, 1 guitar amplifier, 3 clickers, 1

tambourine and other basic musical instruments. Full details of these instruments can be found in

the Instruments Inventory in the Appendix.

4.2.3 STAGE 3: FABRICATION AND SOUNDPROOFING

The fabrication and soundproofing of the music room is very important. In order to allow

for optimal practice, the infrastructure of the room must be transformed. The room itself has

average acoustics and a full band will have problems practicing inside the room. Furthermore,

the room is also exposed to other parts of the school, allowing for the ease of sound (and noise)

travelling and echoing near its vicinity. Soundproofing is therefore important.

The windows of the rooms have very thin glasses. This is because the windows are the

original windows from since the school was first opened. SMPAPHM did replace old windows

on most rooms in the school except two unfortunately; the music room and the Bahasa Melayu

Language Lab. Therefore, it is important to limit the sound travelling through these windows to

other classrooms in the school. Several options are available:

Wall the windows with gypsum or mineral boards (cover the windows)

Put acoustic panels on the windows from the inside

Install heavy curtains on the windows from the inside

It is decided that the least damaging way is to install heavy curtains. In addition, the

windows will be tested for cracks and seams and consequently covered with masking tape.

The walls of the rooms are quite solid and bounces sound easily, causing problems such

as feedback or echo. The best option is to install acoustic fabricated panels on the walls. The


panels will be made of 2 inch thick foam and designed in a way that would heighten the

attractive appeal of the room.

The floor of the music room is currently covered with formica-based tiles. These too

bounce sound easily and are quite dangerous for instruments if these ever fall. The best option is

to carpet the floor with wall-to-wall carpet. The carpet must be thin enough as not to absorb too

much high-frequency sounds. The carpet must also be easily cleaned from the water droplets that

come from the brass and wind instrument valves.

After all the treatment is performed on the walls, windows and floor, the only problem

that may affect soundproofing is the physical structure of the ceiling. The ceiling is covered with

panels. However, the roofing infrastructure, or the the attic space , has sides with louvred walls

most likely to allow for ventilation. The louvers not only allow dust particles to be sucked into

the room (due to atmosphere temperature differences between outdoors and indoors), they also

allow for sound to escape. It might be practical to cover these louvers with panels if it is found

that sound still escapes from the room.

4.2.4 STAGE 4: STORAGE FACILITIES

According to Wenger’s guide to Music Facilities, the storage system of a music room

affects many factors, including soundproofing, students’ traffic flow, security and organization.

It is planned that the storage system will occupy one whole length of the wall and blocking the

windows, not only for the purpose of storage but as a barricade to limit sound travelling outside.

A draft of the storage system can be referred to in the Appendix.

4.2.5 STAGE 5: LEARNING EQUIPMENT

As the room will most likely be used for teaching, whether it be music education or

impromptu classes of other subjects, it is paramount that teaching facilities are made available

such as whiteboards, computers and digital projectors.


4.2.6 STAGE 6: SPECIALISED ROOMS

Within the music room, there are two small rooms that are segregated from the main

space. These rooms will be renovated into a consultation office and a practice room respectively.

In addition, within the main space, there will be a corner allocated to the audio recording system

and repair desk.

Consultation Office

The consultation office is a room of 14 feet by 13 feet. It is intended to house 2 teachers,

and a computer workstation for students perusal. The room will therefore need basic amenities

such as 2 teachers desks, a workstation containing 2 desktop units, a printer and a scanner, and a

storage unit for miscellaneous items. The room will need an aircon unit and curtains for the

windows.

Practice and Wardrobe Room

The practice room is 14 feet by 14 feet. It is intended to house a basic drumkit, a guitar

and a bass with their respective amps, and a vocal system. Due to this being the practice room,

the same acoustic foam wall panels will be used on the walls. One wall will also be dedicated to

a storage system for wardrobe and uniform. In some circumstances, the practice room will be

used as a changing room.

The Audio Recording Corner and Repair Room

The space allocated for this purpose is roughly 7 feet by 16 feet. It will not be separated

from the main music space. This corner will contain audio equipment and storage systems, as

well as tools for repairing and building.

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