A Band for All Ages
Last week, the director of my thirteen-year-old son’s middle school band had them play with the local high school band. Fun stuff, and a chance for the younger kids to hear what it’s like to play with better musicians. But why stop there?
Last night, they played with a local adult community band.
We’re talking the whole symphonic wind ensemble – flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, of course. But also oboes, piccolos, bassoons, saxophones, tubas, French horns, and a full rhythm section – snare, base, timpani, cymbals, xylophone, bells. All that was missing was a flaming gong (Van Halen owns the patent on that!)
These adult musicians were good! I played trumpet in college, and the first chair last night would have played circles around our section.
And the kids got to sit right in the mix. Every middle school musician was paired with an adult playing the same instrument and same part. My son got to play with the lead trumpets. What a thrill.
The adult band played a Spanish piece, with soaring flutes and cadenza-ing trumpets and trilling clarinets. Sort of in the style of Man of La Mancha. (Cue the video, this a Hawaiian youth band with strings included…)
Then adults and kids played a Bach style toccata that the students had been working on all year. Wow, they sounded good with everyone playing at once.
The adult band conductor led them through a clinic, working on different passages. Less staccato, more legato. Crescendos should start from the bass sounding voices. Good stuff.
The combined groups played another tune, this time with a trumpet solo. The adults let the kids play the solo. And wouldn’t you know, that soloist was my son! (He did great.)
The adults closed out the night with one last song of their own.
My son was pumped! And frankly, so was I. I’ve been to so many grade school concerts in recent years, it was a wonderful reminder what a full-fledged band with expert musicians sounded like.
Bravo! Not only for the music we got to hear, but for giving our kids a chance to play with the adults.
If you liked this concert band for kids and adults post, you might also enjoy:
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- Michael Jackson ‘Bad’ – Funny Teen iPod Story
- Holst, Mars – The Planets : Name That Tune
- I Love Raising Teens
- Passion, Talent, Heart and Soul – My Legacy for a Song
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Comment by Nicki
| February 4th, 2010
Awww. It makes me wish the kids had been more interested in taking up an instrument. I think the joy went out of the idea when I nixed the drums. (Bad mommy!)
Comment by Travis
| February 4th, 2010
@Nicki – Bad Mommy! (just kidding)
I was in the High School Wind Ensemble, and we played with a Symphony and oh… my…. heck. I almost changed careers to become a professional musician. (I had rock star dreams, and envisioned symphony groupies)
It is really important to have the kids learn by some greats. It really points out what it is like to play that well. (And I bet those kids played liked rock stars. and played better than they ever had before)
[ Just kidding about the groupies... ]
Travis´s last blog ..The Words You Said… Oh… Made Me Weak
Comment by Andrea
| February 4th, 2010
That must have been great for the kids. Especially those who have aspirations of being muscians. I love hearing a live performance of strings. I’m a violinst at heart (and let’s clarify by saying heart only. You really don’t want me to touch an instrument :)
Andrea´s last blog ..The Naked Truth: Half Truths and Polite Lies
Comment by Vinomom
| February 4th, 2010
I was never in band, but it sounds like an awesome experience for your son and the other kids. Great idea of your son’s band teacher!
Vinomom´s last blog ..Thank You, No Really, Thanks.
Comment by Sandra
| February 4th, 2010
You played the trumpet ? So, did you ever go to band camp ?
Sandra´s last blog ..Ramblings of the week………….
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| February 4th, 2010
What a phenomenal idea, pairing kids with adult mentors in activities that are important to them – and ultimately to us, as they grow into adults. A good lesson we could apply to so much more, with just a little thought. Terrific post.
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..What frightens you?
Comment by Wendy
| February 4th, 2010
David, exposure to music might proof to be much more “instrumental” than you may now realize… My daughter started with the clarinet in 5th grade, experiencing similar collaborations with higher talents – as you’ve described. Now, a 3rd yr student at QU, in CT, she is a communication major, with a music minor (great prof. shared with Yale). Currently she plays sax in the university’s pep band and has been invited to play in Hamden’s community symphony. She hopes to do her internship with ‘Rolling Stone’ mag. next year… and further plans to attend law school and focus her practice within the musical-entertainment industry.
Bravo, for your encouragement & enthusiasm!
Comment by Elizabeth
| February 4th, 2010
Kids, like adults, seem to grow when we expect more of them. So whoever came up with this idea deserves, whether it was your son’s middle school director or the community band director, deserves congratulations. And hopefully, an encore!
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Wakin up in Vegas
Comment by AngryDad
| February 4th, 2010
wish they did something like this when i was in band. i played the clarinet, which was bad. things were made only worse when instead of playing some bach we played “under the sea” from the little mermaid.
AngryDad´s last blog ..The Crazy and the Country of Canada
Comment by T
| February 4th, 2010
I love this! What a great idea! I’m sure the adults appreciated the opportunity to help develop young minds and their love for music.
Your kids are so well rounded! Bravo!
T´s last blog ..Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Comment by Pippi
| February 4th, 2010
They sound terrific and it is so nice to see the kids dressed in their finest too. A happy post!
Pippi´s last blog ..Hello?
Comment by notasoccermom
| February 4th, 2010
I personally loved the middle school concerts. A teacher who cares enough about the students to share his love of music.
How great that they got to see that there is music beyond middle school. so many kids think of it as an easy credit.
I bet you are so proud of your son. Great to see a post about him.
notasoccermom´s last blog ..Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs Robinson
Comment by krn
| February 5th, 2010
Excellent! What a great idea.
Hope your cold is better.
Comment by Sonia
| February 6th, 2010
What an inspired way to fire the kids up about music. What a great band director your middle school has!