NAESP : Band Programs Provide Musical, Social, and Emotional Benefits
Band Programs Provide Musical, Social, and Emotional
Benefits
Band programs allow students to achieve and grow, hone their skills, and learn to
work as a team to produce wonderful music.
Middle Matters » November 2007, Vol. 16, No. 2
by Sharon J. Bonneau and Claire Simanski
At the beginning of each school year, wide-eyed seventh graders enter the spacious band
room at Herndon Middle School in Virginia and are greeted by organized rows of music
stands and chairs. Familiar images from elementary school help these students feel welcome
in their new environment. They assemble their instruments, take their assigned seats, and,
along with their eighth-grade peers, await the first downbeat of rehearsal.
No matter what level—from novice to advanced—there is a special home here for every
budding musician. After hundreds of hours of individual practice, students begin to hone
their skills and, with others, learn to work as a team to produce wonderful music.
Because the program is set up according to ability level and not age, students who persevere
and are committed to music can achieve and grow at their own pace. These elements create a
positive group identity, a bonding with peers, and a strong sense of community within the
school. The band room is a safe and familiar place where students can take risks, make
friends, and belong.
Competition Builds Confidence
Competition is a part of music, just as it is a part of all aspects of life. The competitive aspect
of music helps students gain confidence in their playing, develop the ability to act under
pressure, and learn how to persevere—all of which are essential to growth.
Each year, the two advanced bands at Herndon Middle School perform at our district band
festival where students are judged according to state guidelines. The verbal and written
critiques help our students progress to the next level. This feedback also has a positive
impact on performance at the state music festival later in the year. There the ensembles are at
the peak of their concert season form and the awards they earn recognize their diligence and
commitment.
In addition to playing in the ensembles, individual students also can be recognized for
excellence. Personal practice and attendance at rehearsals helps them prepare to audition for
All-District Band, a prestigious group comprised of the best middle school band members in
the school district. Solo and Ensemble Festival, which also occurs annually, is a voluntary
activity. Students perform solos and chamber pieces and receive advice on how to improve
their playing. The judge gives each student a rating (superior, excellent, good, fair, or poor),
as well as written comments. Those students earning an excellent or superior rating receive a
Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors medal and are recognized at the Band Celebration and
Awards Ceremony, which is held each year in June.
Another musical opportunity at Herndon Middle School is the jazz band, which meets once a
week after school. Here musicians experiment with swing, rock, and Latin idioms and create
their own melodies through basic improvisation. The jazz band provides entertainment at an
honor roll assembly as well as at the Band Celebration and Awards Ceremony.
Marching Band Brings Music to the Community
At the onset of each school year we form a voluntary marching band—the only middle
school marching band in the school district. The marching band has a singular purpose: to
showcase our program at the annual Herndon Homecoming Parade, which is a town
tradition. By going beyond the confines of our school walls, we display our skills and talent
for the entire Herndon community, some of whom would otherwise not be aware of the high
quality of our middle school musicians.
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NAESP : Band Programs Provide Musical, Social, and Emotional Benefits
Proudly, our young instrumentalists proceed down the main street of town to the cheers of a
large and enthusiastic crowd of onlookers. Following the parade, band members join the
homecoming celebration at Herndon High School. With the members of the high school
band, they enter the football field and open the homecoming game with the national anthem
and the Herndon High School fight song. This is a memorable and pivotal moment in each of
our students’ lives.
These numerous and varied opportunities provide each band member with countless musical,
social, and emotional benefits. The band room becomes a home away from home with an
extended and diverse family of fellow musicians, helping students build a strong and lasting
connection to the world of music.
Sharon J. Bonneau is director of bands and Claire Simanski chairs the fine and performing
arts department at Herndon Middle School in Herndon, Virginia. Their e-mail addresses are
sharon.bonneau@fcps.edu and claire.simanski@fcps.edu.
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