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 .