5th Grade Band Concert Observation

On the 26th of April the Bozeman Elementary Schools assembled their 5th graders and put on a concert to display their learned playing abilities from the previous year. On that same day, I became thoroughly enthralled with the teaching abilities of our local music teachers.

The 5th grade orchestra started the concert and performed three pieces under the direction of three separate conductors. All conductors showed remarkable prowess in leading the students, but I was particular struck by the final two, one of whom included Chandra Lind. What I found most remarkable about Lind and the final conductor was their ability to not only lead the students through their learned pieces, but also how they helped the students to continue playing and find the right spot once lost. In particular, there was one boy in the back of the ensemble who completely lost his way. The conductors each took turns helping the boy, pointing to measures, and lightly touching his back, keeping him encouraged to continue. This act of affection and care in teaching was the most profound for me of the evening.

Once the orchestra had concluded their performance, predetermined volunteers, including myself, made their way to help transfer the stands from the orchestra to the band. I saw one of my former voice students in the back preparing to play her trumpet, and was encouraged by her smile and her excitement to show what she had learned that year. The band also played three pieces, and showed remarkable intonation and counting abilities for the grade and skill level.

The experience, in general, made me wish to observe the general music teachers of the valley even more so that I might glean some knowledge from their classrooms. Each teacher, as far as I could tell, achieved remarkable results in teaching their students the basics of the instrument, as well as the foundations for successful instrument playing. It made me look forward, even more, to the day when I will be teaching in the public school system.