Maine Motif Issue 1 Volume I | Page 14

Key to Success #4: Attention to Details are a Must Final logistical details included, the host school provided the bass drum, crash cymbals and ride cymbal, and had reeds and oil in the case of an emergency. Students brought their own instrument, stand, medication and lunch. This allowed each school to take care of their own dietary needs for feeding students and made it so that there were no fees for eating or any other sort of registration required. The only cost was bussing and possibly a substitute teacher for those who had responsibilities in their home district. We were fortunate to have an instrument repair technician onsite. This is not something that we could have afforded to pay for, but because of the expertise of our teachers it was a bonus. The sharing of learning otherwise known as our performance was well received by the audience and the adults who were in attendance. Our primary audience was the 3rd and 4th grade students at Mapleton Elementary School. This was intentional and considered to be a recruitment tool for them in the coming years. With this being our first attempt at a learning experience of this magnitude, the instrumental students knew that we were not sending home a notice for a big concert. However, their parents were welcome to attend if they wished. We did have a few parents in attendance and an additional principal as well. The smiles in the band, and in the audience, were infectious. We all left knowing that playing music together is something special and unique. Playing music together provides an experience that can’t be found in any other medium and is so much more rewarding that playing a game on any electronic device. It is our belief as music educators that we need to be providing our students with quality opportunities to perform and it cannot wait until a spring concert in May and beyond! If we want to hook our beginning students we need to hook them hard and hook them early. A Fifth Grade Beginning Band Day is an ideal way to do this. Jonathan Simonoff is in his 9th year at Ashland District School. He teaches general, vocal, and instrumental music at all grade levels as well as conducts the University of Maine Presque Isle Community Band. Jon is also a founding member of the Aroostook River Voices, a 100 piece community choir, The County Combo, a jazz ensemble with music educators and students, and a member of the Star City Syndicates, a community member motown band. He may be reached at [email protected]