Anonymous
09/11/2024 15:14
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
Yes, ask for them to be moved up. In HS, I had my kid moved up to the highest level. We did private lessons for years.
Anonymous
09/11/2024 15:12
Subject: Re:APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You mention the wheel so I assume this is Swanson? The band teacher just rotted after 30yrs so they may still be searching for a permanent replacement.
Ask if there is another section or if she can move up. It will mean juggling her schedule around so I’d do it now before it’s too late.
All APS middle schools have the wheel.
TJ doesn't have the wheel.
This does sound mostly like a sub issue. I agree with requesting 1) transfer to advanced band if allowed, but that would likely reshuffle the entire schedule so might not be feasible or preferred 2) use it as an opportunity to try a new instrument (one of my kids switched to a new instrument in 6th) 3) bear with it and find challenges outside of school.
Anonymous
09/11/2024 15:07
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
Honestly if your kid practices a lot, school band is just never going to be challenging. It is kinda like speaking Spanish at home, putting your kid in intro 6th grade Spanish and expecting them to learn. My kid enjoys band because he is with his friends and likes the teacher. but he practices two hours a day, there is no way the band director can push my kid musically even in advanced band and I wouldn't expect him to.
Anonymous
09/11/2024 10:02
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:if your kid is taking an easier instrument, is there a harder instrument she could switch to (clarinet to oboe or trumpet to french horn)? that might help keep her from getting bored in school band and she might even prefer that instrument.
Having heard more from my kid and others, I think it really is a sub issue. It's a class of new middle school kids with loud noise makers, no established classroom routine, diverse skill levels, and woefully insufficient classroom management. The first weeks were very disorganized and focused on a few beginners, leading to widespread boredom, and devolving into total chaos, which my kid really, really disliked. I'm hopeful the school is providing the sub some support so the band can get a routine going and start playing music.
Sounds pretty similar to 6th grade orchestra, honestly. My kid was expecting a step up from what elementary school was like and is worried it will be similar.
Anonymous
09/11/2024 09:57
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
Anonymous wrote:if your kid is taking an easier instrument, is there a harder instrument she could switch to (clarinet to oboe or trumpet to french horn)? that might help keep her from getting bored in school band and she might even prefer that instrument.
Having heard more from my kid and others, I think it really is a sub issue. It's a class of new middle school kids with loud noise makers, no established classroom routine, diverse skill levels, and woefully insufficient classroom management. The first weeks were very disorganized and focused on a few beginners, leading to widespread boredom, and devolving into total chaos, which my kid really, really disliked. I'm hopeful the school is providing the sub some support so the band can get a routine going and start playing music.
Anonymous
09/10/2024 23:39
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
if your kid is taking an easier instrument, is there a harder instrument she could switch to (clarinet to oboe or trumpet to french horn)? that might help keep her from getting bored in school band and she might even prefer that instrument.
Anonymous
09/10/2024 19:14
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
It gets better but if you kid really wants to be challenged, she should join one of the regional youth orchestras. If your kid is serious about music, school bad is unlikely to be challenging. It cB still be fun though.
Anonymous
09/10/2024 17:33
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
Anonymous wrote:When my kid was a sixth grader who had been in intensive private lessons since third grade was denied a move to the upper bands bar her school because they wanted all the sixth graders to stay together. She had to endure all the intro stuff too but it didn’t bother her, she was able to help the other students in her section. The following year she was first chair in the advanced band right off the bat.
Ok just pretend this made sense I was typing and walking at the same time sorry
Anonymous
09/10/2024 17:31
Subject: APS Middle School Band - what's the deal?
When my kid was a sixth grader who had been in intensive private lessons since third grade was denied a move to the upper bands bar her school because they wanted all the sixth graders to stay together. She had to endure all the intro stuff too but it didn’t bother her, she was able to help the other students in her section. The following year she was first chair in the advanced band right off the bat.