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Reply to "APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?"

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[quote=Anonymous]I don't think OP is at Swanson, because there is a new permanent band director in place. She seems lovely.

But at Swanson, they do put all 6th graders together in one band, regardless of ability. I think that is for scheduling reasons. Last year, there were three bands-- 6th grade, Symphonic, and Wind Ensemble. All the 6th graders were in the 6th grade band, and then the Wind Ensemble was 7th and 8th-- and then whatever kids were left in 7th and 8th who didn't make Wind Ensemble or who had other scheduling conflicts (which also happens) got put in Symphonic Band. In pre-COVID years, there were enough kids at Swanson to fill all three bands, but last year there were only 15 kids left in Symphonic Band who weren't in Wind Ensemble. It was a really lame experience for the Symphonic Band kids, and as much as people love Mr. Norris (the prior band director), he did treat the Symphonic Band as an after thought last year. There just weren't enough kids in the Symphonic Band to actually play band music. I asked Norris why he couldn't bump up some of the more talented 6th grade kids into Symphonic Band to balance the band sizes, but he said he couldn't because of the way APS does middle school scheduling. Not sure if that applies to the other middle schools, but that's the word I got last year when I asked. It was a shame because the 6th grade band was huge, and like OP's kid, there were definitely kids in there who had the talent to "play up" with Symphonic Band which would have made a better experience for the kids in Symphonic Band too. The Swanson Symphonic Band didn't get to do a competition last year, and they were the only 7th and 8th graders in the Swanson music department who were excluded from the Hershey Park trip-- so it was kind of messed up and caused a lot of tears in our house. Most of the 7th graders from Symphonic Band quit band and aren't doing Wind Ensemble this year because last year was such a disappointing experience-- the dark side of the Swanson Band program under Norris, I guess.

Also, the Wheel stinks at Swanson, so there are many 6th graders who pick up an instrument for one year just to avoid the Wheel. Its not an ideal situation for the 6th grade musicians who are already serious about playing. So OP, you are probably justified in feeling like you do. I just don't know if APS will care.[/quote]

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