About Band
Band and percussion classes are designed to give the students an enriching and diverse instrumental music education. These classes provide a number of performance opportunities for the student in a variety of settings.
From their first year, music students start developing these crucial life skills:
Reading a new language,
Focused listening and coordination
Faster cognitive processing
Emotional regulation
Productivity at home
Increased memory
Confidence and social skills
My Current Schedule 2025-2026
*MS=Middle School period
[A Day] Period 1 - HS Beginning Band
Period 2 (MS1) - MS Beginning Band
Period 3 - Advanced Band
Period 4 - Planning
[B Day] Period 5 - Percussion/Drumline
Period 6 (MS5) - M/H Intermediate Band
Period 7 - Planning
Period 8 - DP Music
My Philosophy of Music Education
My goal as a music educator is to teach the love of music, musical skills, and musical concepts through instrumental performance in the classroom, on stage, and in the community. Music education should take place in an environment that is safe and open to exploration, discovery, and risk-taking, as well as creativity and building relationships with fellow performers and the audience. I always facilitate a learning process that increases retention by engaging the students in music-making, rather than lecture. Performing instrumental music activates all areas of the brain which helps to cultivate and sharpen many cognitive and motor skills, often simultaneously, that bare a major positive impact on student academic achievement at large. Every student should be given the opportunity to learn and grow a love for music throughout their childhood development.
I.B. in the Band Classroom
"IB" stands for "International Baccalaureate" and is the abbreviation for the non-profit international educational foundation serving students aged 3 to 19. IB programs aim to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.
In an IB instrumental music class:
- students will engage in discussions about music concepts, techniques, theory, and music history.
- students will consider the role of music in local and global contexts.
- students will perform for their peers and the community.
- students will develop essential life skills like collaboration, work ethic, leadership, risk-taking, reading & responding, time-management, and using technology.
- students will analyze and decipher their progress based on research-driven standards and rubrics.
- students will prepare and present research on topics like music history, music theory, famous composers and musicians, musical genres, music technology, musical careers, music composition and arranging, world music, and music business.
Why MUSIC?
🎵 Music Trains the Brain Differently
Music is one of the few activities that activates nearly every part of the brain at once.
When students perform music, they simultaneously engage:
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Auditory processing (listening and tuning)
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Visual processing (reading notation, watching conductors)
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Motor coordination (fingerings, breath control, posture)
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Executive function (attention, self-monitoring, error correction)
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Emotional centers (expression, interpretation, motivation)
This level of whole-brain engagement strengthens neural connections and improves overall cognitive flexibility.
🧠 Musical Processing = Advanced Thinking
Learning music develops high-level processing skills that transfer directly to academics:
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Pattern recognition (math, coding, language structure)
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Sequencing and prediction (reading, problem-solving)
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Divided attention (multi-tasking with accuracy)
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*Delayed gratification* (practice → improvement → mastery) Lesson: no shortcuts!
Students learn to think both analytically and creatively at the same time, a skill increasingly valued in modern careers.
💾 Music Strengthens Memory—Especially Long-Term Memory
Musical training significantly enhances:
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Working memory (holding information while performing)
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Procedural memory (muscle memory and automaticity)
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Auditory memory (pitch, rhythm, phrasing recall)
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Long-term retention through repetition with variation
Because music combines sound, movement, emotion, and meaning, information learned musically is often remembered more deeply and for longer periods than information learned through memorization alone.
📚 Strong Links to Academic Success
Students involved in music education consistently show:
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Improved reading and language skills
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Stronger math reasoning
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Better focus and classroom behavior
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Higher graduation and college-attendance rates
Music students practice interpreting symbols, responding in real time, and refining their work—skills essential across all academic disciplines.
🤝 Music Builds Skills for Life
Beyond academics, music education develops essential life skills:
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Collaboration – learning to contribute to a group goal
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Leadership – taking responsibility within an ensemble
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Discipline – consistent effort and self-management
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Resilience – learning from mistakes and improving
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Confidence – performing, presenting, and communicating
Band students don’t just learn what to play—they learn how to work, grow, and succeed together.
🌍 Music Is a Universal Language
Music allows students to:
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Communicate across cultures and backgrounds
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Express emotions in healthy, constructive ways
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Connect history, culture, and identity through sound
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Develop empathy and open-mindedness
In a world that values communication and collaboration, music prepares students to participate thoughtfully and creatively.
🎶 Why Band?
Band uniquely combines:
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Individual accountability and group responsibility
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Technical precision and artistic expression
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Structure and creativity
Every rehearsal reinforces listening, teamwork, and problem-solving—skills that extend far beyond the music room.