Is your child in a school music program? If he or she is, parents and students alike know the value, enjoyment and learning they are experiencing in their school years.
If your son or daughter hasn’t thought about taking a music class why don’t you bring up the subject and investigate the possibilities and rewards available to them at their school. It is important to make decisions about what music courses and electives to take.
Benefits of School Music
Research studies that have been replicated many times over the years always come to the same conclusions: Students that take music courses in school do significantly better in other academic courses than students who do not take music classes. This is an undisputed fact that parents should not ignore.
There is a myriad of positive benefits that music students enjoy as a result of being part of a school music program. One of the more obvious is learning to play a musical instrument. The vocal student learns how to use the voice to develop the maximum potential possible for solo or ensemble singing.
A key benefit of school music programs is learning musicianship. The student learns to practice and rehearse to achieve their potential by studying the various musical periods and styles and gaining the experience it takes to produce a superior performance.
Team playing, as in sports, is part of the music discipline. The student learns how to be a member of an ensemble and what it means to contribute to the group effort of making music together. They learn self-discipline and how to use time wisely in terms of individual practice and their contribution to the ensemble.
Leadership experiences abound in school music groups. Elected or appointed positions such as: drum major; student director; manager; secretary; treasurer; music librarian; uniform manager; equipment and instrument manager and public relations director teach leadership skills.
Socialization is an important aspect of any well-rounded education. Students immediately have a ready-made group of friends with many common interests and abilities. Lifelong friendships are a common outcome in music groups.
Elementary School
“Students who study music have better discipline, focus and concentration,” said Karla Angle, elementary school music specialist and principle flute in the Danville Community Band (DCB). Music courses offered in elementary schools include general music; fourth and fifth grade band; beginning and advanced strings; fourth and fifth grade chorus; third grade recorders and third, fourth and fifth grade chimes. For many years, Angle has observed the benefits of studying music in schools. “I have seen individuals blossom and grow not only musically but as a “whole person,” said Angle.
Middle School
“Learning music builds camaraderie, team-spirit, responsibility and dedication as well as learning life-skills,” said Jeanette Brown, middle school instrumental music teacher and clarinetist in the DCB. She wants the kids to have fun while they learn and not make music a stressful exercise. Middle schools offer classroom music for sixth, seventh and eighth grades; bands; jazz ensemble; strings and chorus. Brown’s father, an accomplished “Dixieland” clarinetist, has been instrumental in her music teaching career choice.
High School
“School music develops values used in school and in life,” said Teri Musiel, instrumental music director at the “state-of-the-art” Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon. Musiel plays trumpet and percussion and is assistant director of the DCB. Courses offered at the high school level are: three levels of concert band; jazz band; orchestra; several choruses: chamber singers and advanced placement theory.
“Teaching music is what I really like to do – and I get paid for it,” said Musiel.
Being a member of a musical ensemble can be one of life’s enduring and meaningful adventures. Learning and playing music is an experience in self-worth, self-discipline and gives the student the ability to be a real team player.
Outside of school, students and adults may further their music experience playing in community bands like the DCB, playing in orchestras or singing in community groups. Music can be a wonderful life-time endeavor – don’t let your kids miss out!
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.
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