It Takes a Community to Raise a Musician
By Jon Simonoff
While many of us wish that each of our students took private lessons, listened only to the greats, and dedicated all their time to practicing their instrument; we know this is not a reality for the majority. Most students only exposure to the trumpet may be the period called“ Band”. Many students learn most of their skills on their instrument in a group setting. This is becoming more the norm and these students expect to learn this way. We as teachers know it is not ideal, but there is an untapped resource that may get these students playing outside of the“ Band” period.
That resource is the community band / chorus / orchestra. Whether involving just yourself or you and some students; playing in a community ensemble is an overwhelmingly positive experience. Let me preface by saying this is just anecdotal evidence. I am speaking by what I have seen in my own community and what it has done for my students.
It may surprise you to learn that Maine has quite a few community ensembles. In Aroostook County alone there are two community bands, a community orchestra, and two community choruses. These groups each rehearse independently of each other and each focus on different music. The groups are separated geographically and therefore each take in different students and adults as members. There is some overlap, especially with the music educators in each group, but many members are exclusive to each group.
The two groups that I am most personally involved in are the UMPI / Community Band, which I direct, and the Aroostook River Voices, a community chorus of which I was a founding member. The band has about 50 members and the chorus about 100. In the band there are usually around 10 local high school and middle school students and for the chorus the same. These members are the top players and singers in my own program and the extra time with the instrument on their face is the main reason for this.