Music Merit Badge Activity Planner

Music is an art form, and cultural activity, whose medium is sound.

'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Music Merit Badge

*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***

Exploring Music can be a fascinating youth adventure when done right. Here are a few tips to help the patrol leader get started.

• Scouts may never add or subtract from the actual merit badge requirements
• This Planner is only a suggestion of different ideas to make working this Merit Badge both fun and easy.
• While doing the Worksheet is not a requirement for earning this badge, in many cases it can help you learn key concepts and track your progress.

A. Make Your Plan

1. Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
2. Share Your Plan - Meet ahead of time with your patrol, scout leaders, parents and especially with the Merit Badge Counselor. Make changes to the plan as needed.
3. Prepare Activity Flyer - Keep your fellow scouts informed - events, activities, pre-requisites and more.

Patrol Activity	GREAT	Awesome MB to work as a patrol / Max Size 12 scouts
Virtual Field Trip	GREAT
Family Activity	GREAT	Fill your home with the gift of music
Service Activity	GREAT	See "Service thru Music" below
S.T.E.M. Activity	GREAT	The science of music.
Field Trip	GREAT	Attend a concert
Duty-to-God	GREAT	Music is an important part of most worship services.
MB Day	GREAT	Scouts bring their music
Overnighter	GREAT	Guitars, harmonicas, ukuleles, and more come camping
Summer Camp	GREAT	See all above

Online Resources

• Music Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
• Music Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
• Music Merit Badge Worksheets: Worksheets are optional - but highly preferred by many MBC. When you find that many requirements say "discuss" - the worksheet can help you gather your thoughts beforehand.
• Music Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about Music is right here. Get this study guide from either Amazon or your Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor or Scoutmaster to Learn More About this Subject.

B. Introduction Meeting

Most merit badge activities do best to have a "introduction" meeting where the patrol can discuss how to get started and to plan out their field trips.

Cool Scout Music Videos

• "Born to be a Scout" - Music & Lyrics by Alex Boye. Scout Camp: The Movie
• "Follow Me Boys" - Scout Classic written by was written by studio favorites Robert and Richard Sherman. Part of the famous Disney Movie - Follow Me Boys. It almost became the anthem of scouting in 1966.
• ScoutSongs.com - Giant List of Popular Boy Scout Songs
• Official Boy Scout Harmonica - from Harmonicas Hohner.

C. Homework / Prerequisites

Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.

• Required Reading:
• Music @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.
• Req #1: Practice and Prepare to Sing or Play some Music.

Music Group Participation

• Req 3c: Serve for six months as a member of a school band, choir, or other organized musical group, or perform as a soloist in public six times.

D. Study Hall Patrol Night

While some scouts may be adept at self-study, others may do better in a small group setting and taking notes on worksheets. Make an agenda. You can facilitate discussion by asking them why each of the principles introduced here would be relevant. Schedule one or more patrol meetings to work this merit badge.

• Req #1: Sing or Play some Music
• Req #2a: Name the five general groups of musical instruments.
• Req #2b: Create an illustration that shows how tones are generated and how instruments produce sound.
• Req #5: Define for your counselor intellectual property (IP). Explain how to properly obtain and share recorded music.

Pre-Open Gathering Activity

A gathering activity before the official meeting start is a great way to set a fun theme for the meeting.

• Who can play the National Anthem on the musical instrument they brought
• Sing all 3 verses of National Anthem or other great American Hymn. (Bring copies of the sheet music)

Patrol Music Night

This could be done as patrol activity or as service to a Pack Meeting or Troop Meeting

Req #4: Do ONE of the following:

• a. Teach three songs to a group of people. Lead them in singing the songs, using proper hand motions.
• b. Compose and write the score for a piece of music of 12 measures or more, and play this music on an instrument.
• c. Make a traditional instrument and learn to play it.

E. Field Trip

A related field trip with the MBC will be a great time to do the second half of this merit badge activity:

Live Concert Performance

Attend a Live performance : Church, School, Theater, etc.

• Req 3a: Attend a live performance...describe the setting and the reaction of the audience. Discuss your thoughts about the music.

Virtual Music Field Trip

• Req 3b: Interview an adult member of your family about music. Find out what the most popular music was when he or she was your age. Find out what his or her favorite music is now, and listen to three of your relative's favorite tunes with him or her. How do those favorites sound to you? Had you ever heard any of them? Play three of your favorite songs for your relative, and explain why you like these songs. Ask what he or she thinks of your favorite music.
• Req 3d: List five people who are important in the history of American music and explain to your counselor why they continue to be influential. Include at least one composer, one performer, one innovator, and one person born more than 100 years ago.

F. Extra Credit

While none of these are actual requirements for this merit badge - they are terrific opportunities to show Scout Spirit, Do A Good Turn Daily and to have FUN!

1. Activity Reflection: Use this meeting for scouts to ask questions and to reflect on what they gained personally from this adventure. You can also have a discussion on what future opportunities are here.
2. Court of Honor Exhibit: Pictures, handiwork and other memorabilia from this adventure will make for a great presentation at the next Scout Troop Court of Honor.

Service Through Music

• BoyScout Bugler Tribute to Veterans during Covid-19 Crisis - NBC Nightly News - 8-April-2020.
• Scout Plans Jazz Concert - Winter Park High School senior Thomas Davidson, a 17-year-old from Boy Scout Troop 246, has organized a Jazz for Tots event, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2093. The event offers veterans a jazz concert to thank them for their service while also serving as a toy drive for Toys for Tots. It’s a way for Davidson — a tenor saxophonist — to use his musical talents to support a good cause. He’ll be playing alongside a jazz combo of 10 to 15 other Winter Park high-schoolers, running through a set of patriotic themes with a flag ceremony beforehand.
• Perform musical selections at a senior care home. Most have a piano onsite and would greatly love a special performance.
• Perform musical selections for Pack or Troop Meeting or Meeting of the Charter Organization.
• From the "Roadkill Patrol" - We had one scout bring a trombone on a high adventure. Played it every night and gave lessons to the other scouts.

Related Merit Badges

Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity:

• Citizenship in the World
• Bulging
• American Heritage

See Also

• 9 Things to Know about Merit Badges - BoysLife.org - There are more than 135 merit badges. By earning them, you can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. Here’s how to get the most out of your merit badge experience.