Tim DeSimone

MUS 150
September 21, 2017

Creativity in the Band Room

Watson, S. (2011).Using technology to unlock musical creativity. New York: Oxford University Press.

Watson asserts that creativity is necessary and instilled in all of us. To the casual reader, this
can be taken a few ways. The mountains of scientific research would argue that depending on
which hemisphere of our brain we engage more vividly, we can have varying levels of creative
success. Conversely, to many creativity can be practiced and applied to almost anything. The
ability to think outside the box isnt restricted to just an artist, or just a scholar. Both positions are
correct, and it is often a matter of viewpoint. To one that struggled with art in school or as a
hobby, it might be frustrating to see a friend succeed and excel, and it can be easy to chalk it up
to right/left brain power. To one that struggles academically and fails to find solutions to difficult
problems, the same excuses apply. The perspective of the creator is the difference in both
instances.
My schooling was dominantly performance and factual based. Very little to no time was
spent creating my own music or creatively learning. This was due to a variety of factors. First, the
band class was always striving toward one common project, the performance. The only time the
public viewed us was in Concerts or at halftime, so were always pushing to prepare for those
events. Along the way, we learned from the music we were performing. Second, it genuinely
would have been difficult for our one teacher to find time, recourses, and a reason to stick
creative based learning into our schedule. With the small time we already had, each rehearsal was
important, and trying to command a 50 person band unfortunately left no time to have us
learning outside the music. A solution would be to offer another class in which students are
encouraged to apply creatively to their work. A class that is smaller to allow for more 1 on 1
discussion, or a class that culminates in a final portfolio. These would provide the time, the place,
and the discussion to facilitate creative based learning.

MUS 150 !1
 Questions:

Should band directors be expected to teach outside the performance?

What programs/projects could be a creative outlet for students in band to practice and
explore what theyve learned?

MUS 150 !2