ST. MARY HC BAND

Goals of an Instrumental Music Education

The purpose of the instrumental music program is to enhance and to develop musical skills and creative skills, which help contribute to the education of the “whole child”.

The following describes the major areas of focus within musical skill mastery and how they shape a child’s musical experiences.

1.   Basic Musical Concepts:

Students learn to demonstrate steady beat, rhythm (note length), fingerings and pitch awareness.

•  Emphasis on steady beat is key to both the mastery of rhythm and to one’s success within an ensemble (group) setting.
• The ability to understand rhythm as it relates to steady beat reveals a student’s ability to think and to perform independently.
• Applying an understanding and a mastery of instrument fingerings and pitch awareness demonstrates analysis skills.  

2.     Group Identity:

Emphasizing group identity helps to develop awareness that others view and judge us as a whole, working and performing as one and not necessarily as a group of individuals. 

• Students learn the role each instrument plays in the band setting and within a particular composition.
• The result is an appreciation for the success of the group’s performance.

 3.   Self Identity and Self Expression:

• Self identity and self expression is a vital component during the learning years of a child.  Children often have a need to demonstrate and communicate to family, friends and to society who they are and what matters to them. 

As a whole, instrumental music education should foster an environment that encourages and recognizes dedication, effort and success.  Nothing can be more motivating than success. 

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