Those of you who came in recently may not know that I am a retired grade school band director. It's been ages since I taught, but once a band director, always a band director.
There's a fascinating post over at "Talk With Desiree" that I'd like you to go read. One of her children has been introduced to band instruments at school, and has been given the option of joining band. The band director has given the parents a page of reasons why a student should join band. I second all he has to say.
If you're contemplating letting your child join band, I'm here to tell you to go for it! Now, go read what Desiree had to say.
Comments (7)
For some reason the link isn't working just now.
Posted by bogie | May 14, 2006 2:47 PM
Posted on May 14, 2006 14:47
I'll try to fix it, bogie. You can always try the link on the list of blogs that I read in the sidebar.
Posted by buffy | May 14, 2006 8:07 PM
Posted on May 14, 2006 20:07
Good day Buffy, Thanks for the link - I have not had much of a musical past myself, but I do all the same feel that the reasons why a student should join band do all make sense. I am very excited to have a child interested in band. My youngest might be too - too soon to say, but he is learning to play guitar so far.
Thanks for your insight and comments regarding band in the post that you made reference to here.
Posted by Desiree | May 15, 2006 8:32 AM
Posted on May 15, 2006 08:32
To all who read Desiree's site, ask me how much I love being a band parent!! How could a parent not love to see their kid enjoy music through band? How much better is it to listen to the squack of a beginner saxophonist than to experience the "lose" of your teen to "their" music. Anyone with a kid who has a set of headphones understands this. I've watched countless performances - -all memorable, not the least of which is watching my kids marching at the RCA Dome at State. We won 3rd in the state for our class last fall. You lose yourself in their victories. There is immeasurable pride at their hard work, comfort in knowing they have made lifelong friends, and joy that they experience an unmeasured success. Even if your child's school isn't a 120 member band, learning music will help your child develop discipline, self-esteem, understanding of other academic subjects (think about how much math is in a musical score!), and talent that can be called on anytime they wish. I'm a band geek Mom and happy for all it entails!
Posted by Nan | May 15, 2006 1:01 PM
Posted on May 15, 2006 13:01
Nan, have I told you lately that I love you?? You said so eloquently all the things I feel when I get to watch your children perform, and how I feel about band in general. I know they call us "geeks," but "they" have NO idea how much they have missed out on when they fail to join us. A natural HIGH!!
Posted by buffy | May 15, 2006 1:22 PM
Posted on May 15, 2006 13:22
I didn't know you did that. You must have the patience of a SAINT! (No offense buuuut) For me to sit though an elementary school band is an ordeal. For a teacher to hear bad notes all year round... well, I'd kill myself. All of my kids are musical, on used to play trombone in school and I'm teaching them all guitar now.
Posted by -=e=- | May 15, 2006 5:18 PM
Posted on May 15, 2006 17:18
eric, the first sounds are awful, but you hear them improve every single day, and it's exciting to see that growth. When they all manage to get to the end of their first song together, or when everyone gets the key signature right, or when one of the kids is ready for his or her first tiny solo, each of those stepping stones keeps you eager to see what that day's surprise will be.
And....you'd be surprised how quickly a kid who is given good training can progress, especially if they practice, practice practice. *G*
Good luck to your kids. I hope they enjoy their music.
Posted by buffy | May 15, 2006 6:22 PM
Posted on May 15, 2006 18:22