Elementary Rehearsals Lead
to Band Buddies
The Huntington School District's music program adapted to a series of changes this year, including scheduling early morning rehearsals for fourth grade band students at Huntington High School. The sessions created an opportunity to develop "band buddies" to the delight of both elementary and high school students.
One fine day earlier this month, the fourth graders arrived at the high school at 7:30 a.m. and sat on stage with Huntington's junior band. The high school band members organized themselves on the stage in a way to create space for a fourth grader who plays the same instrument to sit next to them and be their "buddy" for the day. The two groups went on to rehearse together under the direction of high school band director Brian Stellato.
The enormous group was brought through various warm-up exercises by Mr. Stellato. The high school band then played some of its concert music for the fourth graders while the beginners sat glued to the music, watching the notes fly by and taking in all the sound.
Mr. Stellato then led a joint group rehearsal as both sets of bands played the fourth grade concert music. The high school students seemed to really enjoy playing the elementary music - especially everybody's favorite, 'Let's Go Band,' which the teenagers originally played when they first started with their instruments.
"My ninth and tenth grade band students really enjoyed their band buddy experience," Mr. Stellato said. "Many of them got to share a few musical tips with the younger musicians. I loved looking out at the fourth graders' faces as I directed the mixed grade ensemble. They all had that 'wow' face on and seemed like they were truly excited to hear their music played at a higher level. I hope the fourth graders were thinking 'with hard work and dedication, I can sound like that one day soon.'"
Elementary band directors Chelsea Jablon, Anthony Pomponio and Mitchell Malle were on the scene, too. "The fourth graders loved listening to the high school students playing their band music," Ms. Jablon said. "They couldn't believe how fast they could move their fingers!"
Mr. Malle said "the fourth graders were very excited to see their older brothers or cousins in the high school band. They were amazed at how well they could play their instruments and wondered if they would ever be that good."
The Jefferson/Southdown band enjoyed a special surprise during their rehearsal. The group is playing a brand new piece of music, "Arrival of the Hero." This particular piece was written especially for them by David Bridges, a music composition doctoral student at CUNY in Manhattan. To everyone's surprise, Mr. Bridges came to the rehearsal to hear the piece performed. The high school band made a professional recording of the piece for Mr. Bridges later that same week.
"This type of activity provides several important lessons for young students," said Joan R. Fretz, Huntington's director of fine and performing arts. "First, the model of high school students performing impeccably and working so happily and well together serves as an inspiration for our young students to continue in the program," she said. "It also sends a message that if you put regular, consistent effort into an activity, you will improve your skills and be able to do wonderful things. In this world of instant gratification, our students need opportunities to experience the benefits of consistent, long-term effort and commitment to improving your skills."
The session was an eye-opening and ear-opening experience for the fourth graders. "Hearing how you'll sound in just a few years of practice speaks volumes," Ms. Fretz said. "You might say 'a picture's worth a thousand words.' We look forward to exploring more ways for our elementary students to interact with our high school students. It's instant motivation that inspires effort and a desire to achieve. Equipped with that attitude, you can accomplish anything."