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Dear Band
Parents,
The band staff
is very excited about the number of students that have
elected to participate in the band programs at Leander I.S.D.
As we grow in numbers, we also hope to grow in quality. We
are constantly striving to improve the band program,
ourselves as professionals, as well as our student’s musical
abilities. As the school year begins, we hope you share in
this excitement with us.
Band
teaches so much more than “just playing music.” Band teaches
diligence through preparation, practice and repetition of
musical skills such as rhythms, melody and harmony. Band
teaches responsibility through individual work effort,
instrument care, and scheduled maintenance. Band teaches
group work ethics through ensemble performances, group
practice, and group assessment. Over the years of
participation in band, students will develop both critical
thinking and listening skills as they prepare and perform
music. These skills are brought out through performance
judgments as they pertain to music. While working in the
music ensemble setting, students will develop powers of
concentration, the ability to memorize music and parts and
the ability to work with others in a group setting. The band
student will develop certain physical skills such as
stamina, endurance and coordination. Eye, hand, audio,
visual and spatial relationships are all fostered as
students learn to perform music and become proficient on
their instruments. Lastly and most importantly, students in
the band setting are assisted in the development of
self-expression. Thus, a student’s participation in band is
more than “just playing music.”
Keeping the
above-mentioned ideas in mind, we would like to offer your
child an opportunity to participate in the Private Lesson
Music Program. Private lessons are a great benefit to
students for musical growth. The band staff has assembled a
fantastic staff of private instructors for the 2008-09
school year. Your child will have one on one time with a
private instructor. These lessons will be geared to help
your student become a truly great musician by teaching them
how to improve their musical skills. While we, as a band
staff, strive to work with each student regularly, we are
limited because of class size and time. Hence, the band
staff cannot provide an opportunity for one on one
instruction.
We strongly
encourage each of you to consider the Private Lesson Music
Program.
If you have
any questions, please feel free to contact Robert Selaiden,
Asst. Director at LHS at 435-8000, or the LISD Fine Arts
Office at 434-5055 for more information. |
