St. Peter’s School brought a band program to their school six years ago and, although it has changed and expanded over time, the program has now become a mainstay in the school.
For the first four years band was an optional program for students in Grades 5 and 6. The students could choose between art and band. Many members continued in the band for four years, as band director Mrs. Keller introduced an extra curricular program for high school students, so they could continue.
“Due to some changes in budget, as well as the time commitment, now all students in Grades 5 and 6 take band and the Grade 4 class gets into full swing band after Christmas,” Mrs. Keller says.
“This means that we have almost had to start again as some students had not ever been in band, while some had a few year’s experience.”
The St. Peter’s School band plays up to eight or more events throughout the year that include the Christmas concert, improv night, school masses, music festival and other community events.
“A few years ago the students did a song called Happy and Louie Louie, which was very good. The older students in high school also performed Wipeout, which was a lot of fun,” Mrs. Keller said when asked about unique performances.
The school band program has been purchasing new items each year, and now that all students in Grades 4 to 6 participate, all the instruments that have been acquired are used, around 80 in total.
“Our school division has been a huge supporter of the band program from the start,” Mrs. Keller says.
“It is always difficult to run a program because it can be so expensive, but teaching kids to read music and play an instrument is a lifelong skill that can never be erased. Because our program grows each year, we are always looking to update equipment and find ways to make the program to be highly successful.”
Light of Christ Catholic Schools sets aside funding to support St. Peter’s in purchasing music textbooks and instrument sand the program has received many private donations, and scholarships, which have been applied to programming and equipment. The local CWL and Knight of Columbus have also contributed.
The ultimate goal of the band is to polish each piece until it is ready for public performance.
“It takes a few months to learn a song well, but we begin looking at it before the performance to get the students excited and more motivated to learn it.”
St. Peter’s School acknowledges there are many benefits for students learning music. Studies have shown learning music helps in all subject areas. Students also benefit from starting music at a young age, to develop skills through the use of many different rhythm and pitch instruments and their voice.
“Children’s skills are developing so rapidly at this time, so it is the perfect time to introduce them to different instruments and as mentioned previously, when students are able to learn new skills, such as reading music and playing an instrument, it is something that sticks with them forever and changes the way their brain develops – just like riding a bike,” Mrs. Keller says.
“Our band program is another reason that makes our school such a special place to be,” says principal Tyson Volk.
“When you are able to hear students from their understanding of musicality from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, it is such an incredible transformation. We are very proud of our band program here at St. Peter’s and will continue to make sure it is an integral part of our school for years to come.”
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