We need some quality, durable instruments, a saxophone, 2 trumpets, and a trombone, that can be used as part of a pep band we are starting.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Jung's classroom raised $1,149
This project is fully funded
About My Students
This past year, I was able to create a Drumline ensemble and with great student support began playing at all the sporting events at the school. Led by two students in particular, Geoffrey and Jeremy, the "Pep Band" will play pop tunes and other spirited songs to get the crowds pumped up!
One day, Geoffrey, Jeremy, and some other students were in my instrument room during lunch. They like to come down and print out music and just play. It is fun to watch because they often only print the music for one instrument and the rest of the kids have to learn the music by ear. I told the students that playing these pop songs reminded me of pep band in college, which then required me to explain what pep band is.
The students thought the idea was awesome and ran with it. We are currently in the process of preparing music and students for the basketball playoffs at our school to play with the Drumline and even though it is simple pop melodies, the kids are really getting into it. With our lack of instruments available for use, we definitely need some more to get this program off the ground.
The pep band my kids are trying to start will foster a number of different skills including leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and music literacy.
The simple act of learning the various songs will affect the students' sight-reading and ability to change their "musical" gears. This will be an invaluable asset to their literacy in music. Having a band of this kind will also force students to develop a responsibility mirrored by the athletic teams they are cheering for. Not only are they responsible for their individual parts and roles in the group but they have to understand and adapt their parts for the overall group sound; which in essence is teamwork.
Having students pick the music and prepare the songs on their own will develop a great sense of leadership within the group. In the long run, because I am unavailable on Saturdays, I would want these "leaders" to actually conduct the band for away games and games that I am not able to be at. Talk about independent leadership!
In Their Own Words
I want to form a "Pep Band". The way Mr. Jung explained it made it seem very fun. I love hearing the drums at the games and I think our instruments can be just as loud and really add something to the Drumline's music. I found some songs that I like and they are pretty easy to add beats to. At first, I only want to play melodies but eventually Mr. Jung said he could write songs that have multiple parts in them. I really love band in general and would really love to start this band, too.
-Jeremy
Mr. Jung told me that his goal is to have us lead the other kids. I think that would be cool because I have seen other kids lead and conduct other bands and it seemed fun. He also chose the instruments with us and let us choose what we thought was best, which is why I chose the plastic instruments for the group. He also let me choose the colors of them. I was always thinking about doing music in high school and I think this would be a great thing to put on my resume for high school.
-Geoffrey
This year in our school we have had a lot of rallies and assemblies about No Place for Hate. Because of all that, building a strong school spirit will help people be more supportive of the school and each other. Having a strong sports/band program brings people together and makes it seem like a college environment. I think that is exciting! And while it may not solve the problem, I think every little bit helps. If we can help make a fun, safe place for people to be with our music, we succeeded.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
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