What should you expect out of a great band program (public, private, or homeschool)?
- You should expect to learn your instrument, at least on a fundamental level.
This includes the basics of embouchure (how you make sound with your mouth on wind instruments), how to play the notes, control dynamics, articulate, and express dynamically.
- How to play in tune (of course this develops over time). Every band student starts out of tune, for sometimes quite a while until they develop in number 1).
- How to read music properly (notation, rhythm, dynamics, expression). This is crucial. Students should not be spoon fed the music. They should not need to hear it first (played or on a recording). They should be able to name every note, count and clap every rhythm, and play the music at a basic level by their own reading and interpretation.
- To be using and carefully going through a time-tested curriculum. Curriculums exist for good reason, and good ones should be used. They ensure students develop properly in number 3. If students have not successfully achieved competence in number 3, they should not be even attempting to play full band arrangement sheet music. In most cases, jumping the gun from curriculum to sheet music and full band arrangements too soon means forfeiting significant and full development in number 3.
- To have fun, make friends, and present their music before the community. At TIA we are all about community! And we have presentations (that is what we call our recitals) every semester (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer). We also have *TIA community events for music, fun, and memory making like our Celebration of Scales and Festival, and local community events like Arts Walk, and visits to Classical Conversations Community, the Senior Center, and local retirement homes that provide opportunities to serve the community through music.
If your children are in a public or private school program and perhaps they aren’t getting thee things, or need more personalized attention and help in these areas, drop us a line and let us help come along side their band director. If your student is in a community or homeschool program and not getting these things, give us a call.
You will find all of these and more at TIA in our Next Level Homeschool Band. Drop us a line today to enroll. In a private or public-school band and not getting these thing, or wanting more? Why not enroll in private lessons. We are here to help you on the journey.