Band Camp … bringing music into the lives of students !
By Anne Stearns
As a Director of Music at an international school , I feel privileged to be at the frontier of music education . My mission is to kick-start a culture of music and to educate both students and parents , from their many different backgrounds , about the benefits which comes from learning to play a musical instrument .
Scientific research has proven that , more than any other activities , playing a musical instrument is the best form of exercise for our brains . Like a physical work out , disciplined and structured practice strengthens our brain functions and improves reasoning and Maths skills , allowing problems to be solved more effectively and creatively . It has also been shown that students , who at the start may have the same cognitive and neuro-processing level as others , can raise their level of function , after they have been exposed to a period of music learning .
My school teaches the Australian Curriculum and , further along the road , we aim to introduce IB Music . To do this , we need to dramatically raise the standard of our student ’ s instrumental playing by giving our younger students the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments in class .
This year , we introduced the Grade 6 ‘ Band Camp ’ program . This is a tried and tested optional co-curriculum program from around the world . When I saw the effects , I instinctively felt it was the right way to raise standards within a classroom setting . Every student selects and is given a wind instrument ( flute , clarinet , saxophone , trumpet , trombone , baritone or percussion ) for free , for one year . They learn to look after , assemble and play their instrument on their own or as a class wind band .
As each student has an iPad , I used various apps to deliver my ‘ Band Camp ’ curriculum . I created an iTunes U course ; this delivers assignments and stores resources . It allows students to work at their own pace and is totally paperless . Students submit videos of their performances onto Seesaw , and this allows me to see , assess and give feedback on their work .
To keep students motivated throughout the course , I split the curriculum into manageable challenges called the “ Band Camp Stripes ”. Each challenge is split into different colors , like the karate belt system , with an assessed test at the end . If they are successful , students receive a colored thread , a sticker for their class chart and move up to the next level . There is a competition between classes to win ‘ Eric ’, the music mascot , who spends a fortnight with the class who has made the most progress and individuals can win achievements for regular practice at home . Our top 25 % students are invited to join the “ Concert Band Camp ”, which offers optional fast-track sessions . These students often have parents who have actively supported their child to practice at home .
It ’ s not easy as students have to work to overcome each hurdle . Every piece they play requires them to concentrate and do the following things all at the same time - read the music , follow the conductor , press the correct keys or valves , blow the notes for the correct length and listen to the other players . It can go wrong but the sense of achievement , when they get it right , is what makes my job so special and my Grade 6 such great advocates of “ Band Camp ”.
So , if you want to make your child smarter and be better prepared for adult life , then you really should encourage them to learn to play a musical instrument .
28 | Mar - Apr 2017 | | Class Time