The Same But Different
I have been doing the “Band thing” for most of my life; having been around (ahem) “a while”, I have seen school Band programs evolve over the years. I have lived Band life as a student, as a teacher, and now as a Band parent, and I think it’s pretty cool to look at how things used to be “back in the day” and compare them to how they are now. One thing is clear–the more things have changed, the more they have stayed the same.
I started Band in 5th grade, alongside my best friend (who incidentally also ended up as a Music Teacher). We had Band as a “pull out” activity, two days a week (Tues/Thur) for 45 minutes. In 6th grade, we had a new Director (Mac Long) who was super cool and fun, and we got to have Band three days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri). Needless to say, we didn’t meet in Band often enough or long enough to move very quickly through the material, and the kids often forgot things. I didn’t quite get the whole “reading music” thing, and really didn’t sound very good at first. I played the flute, “because it had a pretty blue, velvet lining in the case”. NOW I know that was not necessarily the best way to choose an instrument, but I WANTED it, so I worked extra hard and overcame my struggles. {As a Band Director, I still see this happen all the time. I try really hard to make sure kids get to try out several instruments before choosing one to focus on. Kids still work harder when they get what they want. It’s funny, but it works that way with my own kids, too–and though I hate to admit it, even with myself!}
When I was in Middle School we finally got to have Band every day, for 52 minutes! It was awesome and so much fun, and since we played every day we gained skill quickly! We got to participate in Honors Band and District Band, and in several Concerts. Jim Wampler was our amazing Band Director, he taught in SEVEN schools each week, including elementary, middle and high school. Mr. Wampler was the reason that I decided that I wanted to be a Band Director when I grew up. {Middle School Bands still participate in Honors Band, District Band and two or three Concerts per year. Since today’s RCPS middle schools have Directors who only teach in one building (thank goodness), we have the luxury of adding other events to our calendar, like the Broadway Tree Lighting ceremony, Veteran’s Day events, Jazz in the MIddle at JMU, and other local gigs and Pep Band at home basketball games.)
When I was in high school, everyone who was in Band was part of the Marching Band whether they wanted to march or not. We started out every morning in the fall by marching on the football field (wet feet!) or marching through the streets of downtown Dayton (TA grad). Band was family, and we had a great time together, working hard both in-school and after-school and evening rehearsals for Pep Band and Stage Band. We also hung out at the movies and lawn parties together too. {High School Marching Band is voluntary now, but is much more challenging, time consuming and competitive than it used to be. The kids who choose to march are willing to work harder for it–the work ethic is incredible, and the final product is polished and professional. Band kids are definitely still family at all levels, and the parents who get involved in Band Boosters get to know each other pretty well too!}
When I was in college, word got out that they had “cut the 5th Grade Band program”, which was devastating to me. If they cut music classes, would kids get to play together in Band? Would I be able to have a job as a Band Director? I was grateful that when I was student teaching three years later, I had the benefit of seeing the direct results of that change. The freshman class at my host school were the first group who started in the “Sixth Band Every Day” program, and they dominated from day one. They were phenomenal musicians, wonderful friends and fierce competitors. That “lost year” was more than made up for in the quality of the learning during their “first year”. {This will never change–the more you play and the more you get involved, especially in the beginning, the stronger your foundation will be. Not just as a musician, but across the board in everything you do.}
