Philosophy

o The kids came to play

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Making It Fun
Divided instrumentation
No chairs or rankings
No set numbers in instrumentation per ensemble
Know every child by name and need

Retention through Relationships

We work really hard to keep every child in the program regardless of ability
Be flexible with instrument changes each year
The Program
Number One Priority students must feel accepted as a part of the team
This is not a top down program Education is an assembly line
o Education in not vertical, it is horizontal
o Conveyor belt
It is not about us
Each director is responsible for 33% of the program
3rd ensemble is not zoo band or scale jail
Staff must trust each others unique abilities
Enjoy working as a staff together
Private lesson staff they are the specialists, we are the generalists
o They are encouraged to teach us better pedagogy
o They are encouraged to correct us
Elementary Music Teachers
o They are our life-line

Beginning Band
Joining the Family Come Play with us!!
o Elementary Tours
Turning your current students into rock stars
o Meet the instrument night finding the best fit
Beginning Band Procedures
o Discipline is established immediately
o History of the Instrument project
o Flashcard Fridays
o Learning Rhythms through fun and current songs
o Fall Concert (demonstration)
o December Events
o January elementary instrument demonstrations
o Scale Olympics (January - May)
o February Winter Band Party (just before choice cards are due)

After the 1st year: Now what?

All Ensembles given same care and attention
All Ensembles participate in same events
All directors in every rehearsal
Band council picks pep band music for next year
We arrange music to allow everyone to play the melodic line
Band shorts to feature different sections
Open band hall on Tuesdays all summer
Summer Jazz Band
7th & 8th Graders participate in same fun events as the 6th graders
8th grade student aides
8th grade band night with Centennial High School
Warm-ups are 10% of the rehearsal approximately 5 minutes total
Still no chairs or rankings
Parts are rotated (within reason)
Music selections chosen with melody assignments for each section in mind
Continuously working to avoid conflicts with the students outside activities
Allowing students to miss rehearsals, sectionals due to conflicts
Technology Use
Background tracks for warm-ups, scales, etc
drum loops rather than a metronome
Each room has a sound system
Communication tools
o Remind
o Twitter
o Facebook
o Website
On-line videos are used to illustrate fun aspects of performance
Music writing programs are vital to create fresh exercises