Is there a better way? Is there a more effective way? That is probably a better way to phrase this question. Lets think about the public and a large amount of private school systems for a moment. Students are asked to get out of bed before it is light outside, be shuffled into a large building with sometimes very few windows, move quickly from subject to subject, eat foods that are not healthy, be given multiple hours for little work, and then given hours of homework for the student to complete during their time with family. It seems like there might be a better way to me.

What about band programs within these schools?

Students come to class, sit in a large ensemble with many other students, and rehearse the same pieces of music everyday of the week in very short classes. They have so many chances to “zone out” and mentally disappear because of being shuffled around all day and doing the same routine every day.  The teacher can be the best music educator in the world, but because of the way the scenario is being presented, the student perceives the experience as dull and unrewarding. Its like a waiter at a nice restaurant presenting a filet mignon on a garbage can lid. The meat is excellent, but the way it is presented makes it unappealing. By rehearsing the same things without varying opportunities, the student loses interest. If we as educators pinpoint exactly what we want the student to learn on a given day, and plan the most effective way to get that information across, the student will enjoy learning. It sounds simple yet many miss out on this! Most rehearse the same 3 pieces of music everyday with preparing for a concert as their focus. The students are only learning those 3 pieces. What is the lesson each day and the educational benefit of each class? Is their any planning going into the daily needs of those students? What is the benefit of preparing for the concert? If given the opportunity to zone out, the student will. If given multiple opportunities to get things wrong, they will.

By no means am I writing this to try to completely change the system of our public and private school education, because I know that is not possible. Just ask Jamie Oliver about that! But, I believe it is time to question it and attempt to do things differently in each subject area. As times change, so do the students. We are not the same as our parents, and our parents are not the same as their parents. We must evolve and help the students be the very best version of him or herself, whatever that takes. We as educators must revamp our classes within the system.

So, is there a different way? Are there things that we can do in our band programs to engage the student musician and see faster results? Here are five ideas that might just be possible and rewarding for your students.

1. Look for ways to vary the material and experience for the students. If we rehearse the same material 5 days a week, the students will not look forward to learning and we will lose our students. Not only that but how is this teaching our students to take more personal responsibility on their own part and fostering their sight-reading ability?
2. Is the large band on a daily basis the best way? I understand the excuses as I hear them often. We do not have any money, we do not have the time. We do not have the space. When students rehearse in a large ensemble, sometimes 60-70 in class, there is no way each student can be reached and fostered. Is there a way to plan, choreograph, initiate and implement small groups within the daily band experience? Giving the student just this one large group experience everyday of the week is limiting the growth of the program.
3. The lost art of solo playing. In some programs, the only time that students get to play a solo is if they are auditioning for All-State band. Every student should be given the opportunity to work on, perform and create music from within themselves in a solo form. Not only this, but if the solo calls for piano accompaniment, the student should be given the opportunity to play with the accompaniment, live or with a program like “smart music.”
4. Time to compose. One of the national music standards is to compose and learn the art of creation. Does this mean that every student is going to be a professional composer? Of course not, however we should give them the chance to understand there is so much to create and love in music. From the very beginning we place music in front of the student and tell them to play what is on the page. For many, this hurts their confidence and places rules and regulations on their playing without ever experiencing the freedom to create and fall in love with their own artistic freedom.
5. Time to listen. Do we incorporate time for our students to listen to all different genres of music, and be reflective together. This could even be combined with the composition aspect. Show the students you are in touch with the music they love and listen to, and come up with exercises to educate them by utilizing material they can relate to. Be relatable.

Is there room for growth in your band program? Maybe you stumbled across this post as an English or Math teacher and you are looking to change things in your education and daily routine. I would love to hear ways you are revamping or questioning the way things have been done for years.

Are you making a daily impact on your students? If so, how?