How to Start a Band or Orchestra Program

Guidelines for Establishing and Growing Your Music Program with Golden Music

Starting a band or orchestra program in a school or community can be a fulfilling endeavor. It involves numerous steps that require careful planning, collaboration, and dedication. With Golden Music as a guide and sounding board, it can be easy and enjoyable. This guide outlines the essential steps and topics you need to discuss with your administration and support community to ensure the successful launch of your music program.

Talking with Your Administration and Support Community

Effective communication with your administration and support community is critical to gain the necessary support for your program. This is very important, to have the buy in of your community, from the custodians, o the secretary, to the classroom teachers, it's very important.  Here are the key topics you need to address:

Teacher Recruitment

·       Determine if  you will be the teacher: If you have the qualifications and passion for leading the program, you may take on this role. Otherwise, you need to find a suitable music teacher.

Class Schedule

·       Time and Frequency of Classes: Discuss with the administration when and how often the classes will be held. Consider student schedules and availability to ensure maximum participation.  Most beginning classes are two or three times a week.  The more classes the better, but the minimum is two time per week.

Student Age Group

·       Age of Students: Decide the target age group for your band or orchestra program. This will influence the type of instruments and repertoire you select.  Strings, orchestra can start with any grade but third grade is the most common.  For band, 4th grade is the youngest; there is a problem with younger students because the instruments are too big for them to hold and operate.  The string, we can reduce the size too very small as needed.  The band instruments, we canno reduce the size and have them create the same sounds.

Space Allocation

·       Securing a Space: Ensure you have a designated space for rehearsals and storage of instruments. This could be a classroom, auditorium, or dedicated music room.  Often, beginning programs are using a space temporarily, sometimes a gym, corner of a room or even a large closet.  Once the program is established, often the space will be upgraded.

Program Start Date

·       Starting Date: Plan the exact date when your program will begin. Consider the academic calendar and any other school events that might overlap.

Recruitment and Publicizing

Once you have the foundational support, it's time to focus on recruitment and publicizing your program to attract students.  See the links for Recuitment and Publicizing above for further detail than below.

Creating a Recruitment Schedule

·       Identify Potential Students: Plan a schedule to reach out to students who might be interested in joining the band or orchestra. You can collaborate with classroom teachers to identify musically inclined students.

Publicizing the Program

·       Marketing to Students: Use various methods to publicize your program. This can include posters, announcements, school newsletters, and social media. Highlight the benefits of joining the music program and any upcoming events.

Recruitment Assembly

·       Holding an Assembly: Organize an assembly to introduce the program to the students. Provide information about the instruments, potential performance opportunities, and the fun aspects of being part of a band or orchestra.

Rental Evening for Parents

·       Informing Parents: Arrange a rental evening for parents to learn about instrument rental options, costs, and care. This will help ensure students have access to the necessary instruments without financial burden.

Starting the Program

First Day of Class

·       Kick-off: Plan a memorable and engaging first day to inspire students. Introduce them to the instruments, basic music concepts, and the structure of your classes. Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment to encourage students' enthusiasm.  

Keeping the Program Alive and Well    

The following is summarized from the excellent souce:  Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band,  an all-inclusive handbook/textbook by James Divine

Starting your first classes - Establish Routines

  •  How to come into class – don’t let students waste time (are they rowdy?) from the beginning
  •  Practice it so it becomes habit
  •  No talking during instruction
  • Grading for a performance test – A+ or retest
  • Great students as they come in the room
  • Set-up chairs so you can move about each student, help with discipline issues, hearing mistakes
  • Organize the music before the day begins

 

Discipline

  • Grace and forgiveness – different students – different needs
  • Lunch Detention – Example - not being attentive and quiet after one reminder

 

Concerts

  • practice walking to stage
  • Play through or atleast talk through the performance
  • Practice getting off stage
  • Practice sitting in the audience and discuss proper audience behavior

Good Tone and Having Fun

  • Long Tones- If they can play one note, they can play long tones!  8 beats, start the sound with your tongue
  • Match someone across the room
  • Open throats/oral cavity
  • Play chords note 1 3 5 triad – balance the notes, have an advanced student play the 7th
  • Listen to professional recordings

7 tips to communicate effectively with parents

1.       Communicate often - monthly

2.       Make initial communication positive

3.      Watch for sign there might be trouble at home

4.      Share good news 10x more than bad news

5.      Be professional and friencly – can’t hear tone during email

6.      No email if it’s bad news, like failing, etc.

7.      Keep it short and simple KISS

 

General Tips

  • Get to know thre secretaries and custodians, as well as other teachers and coaches
  • Set appropriate time boundaries, go home at the days end, don’t take work home
  • Network – go to state, local and other meetings
  • You can’t reach every student every class
  • Don’t take it personally when a students quits

 

Rehearsal Tips

  • Say something positive every time you stop
  • Stay off the podium 2/3 of the time
  • Make one comment about tone to every band section
  • Use the last ten minutes as a run through
  • Learn something new about one student each day
  • Make a lot of eye contact
  • Engage the entire band
  • Pick one exercise to play fast

 

Fundamentals

  • Student posture
  • Stand Height
  • Breathing exercises
  • Ask students what they think of their tone
  • Keep the rehearsal flowing

Making it fun

  • Tell a joke once and a while
  • Have a band mascot
  • Student conductors
  • Incorporate Jazz and improvisation
  • Have a longest note challenge

Every school working with Music Educates Gets a Free Copy of James Levine's Book, 

Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band: A Handbook For New Band Teachers

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, starting a band or orchestra program requires thorough planning, continuous communication, and a passion for music education. By addressing the key topics with your administration, carefully recruiting students, and publicizing the program effectively, you'll set the foundation for a successful and sustainable music program.