Years 5 and 6 Band Classes

The ACT Instrumental Music Program provides group instruction on concert band instruments (woodwind, brass, percussion) to up to 26 students in each of Years 5 and 6 at each participating primary school. This particular program of instruction operates in 50 of Canberra’s 56 public primary schools and is designed to supplement the music education of students in Years 5 and 6. It is not the intention or purpose of the Instrumental Music Program to be the sole provider of any student’s music education.

IMP staff are qualified ACT Education Directorate teachers employed under the same conditions as teachers in ACT public schools. All IMP teachers hold qualifications in music and/or education and have experience in instrumental music performance and pedagogy.

Each participating school in the IMP band program will offer lessons on either brass/percussion or woodwind/percussion instruments. This is to promote efficiency of teaching and learning and allow for steady progress for students on all instruments. At regular intervals throughout the year (usually once per term), IMP bands from different schools will combine to rehearse together. This provides students with the opportunity to play as part of a full concert band (woodwind, brass and percussion).

Each school band will be supported by a teacher from the school. This teacher is called a School-Based Teacher (SBT) and is integral to the success of the band. The SBT is the first point of contact for parents/carers for any band-related matters. The SBT also runs an additional rehearsal each week and facilitates performance opportunities within the school.

Instruments

Woodwind instruments included in all Years 5/6 band programs are flute and clarinet. Oboe may also be included at the discretion of the IMP teacher at that school. Midway through Year 5, up to three clarinet players may be offered the opportunity to move to alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and bass clarinet at the discretion of the IMP teacher. All flute players in the Year 6 band are given the opportunity to play piccolo at various times throughout the year.

Brass instruments included in the Years 5/6 band program are trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba. Midway through Year 5, up to two trumpet players may be offered the opportunity to move to (French) horn at the discretion of the IMP teacher.

Each band has three or four percussionists who all play a range of percussion instruments including bass drum, snare drum, glockenspiel (bells) and auxiliary instruments. Music reading is required for percussionists in the same way as it is required for all other instruments.

Student Selection

Participation in the IMP school band program is a two-year commitment, and the only point of entry is the beginning of Year 5. Students are expected to remain in the band for the full two years. Families are asked to consider this commitment carefully before accepting or declining an offer of place. Once the Year 5 program has begun, students cannot be ‘recruited’ to join the program to replace students who have left.

A primary aim of the IMP program is to provide opportunities for instrumental music learning to students who may not otherwise have this opportunity. Students already taking lessons or involved in a community band program on a woodwind or brass instrument (flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium, trombone, tuba) may be offered a place in the band only after all other students have been considered. More advanced players who are not able to be offered a place in the IMP band program for this reason may be welcomed by the school to play their instrument with the band at rehearsals and performances organised by the school. Students taking lessons or involved in a community organisation on an instrument not listed above are not subject to the above conditions and can be considered for membership in the Year 5 IMP Band as any other student.

A four-step selection process is undertaken by school staff and the IMP teacher assigned to that school.

1. Year 4 classroom teachers make a professional evaluation of attributes and skills in four key areas for all students. All four areas – Individual Learning Habits, Collaborative Skills, Reading Proficiency and Independent Learning at Home – are of equal importance and have been shown in evidence-based research to contribute to success in instrumental music learning in group settings.
2. An aural skills activity is administered by an IMP teacher to ALL Year 4 students. The activity does not rely on previous musical experience or knowledge and is designed to determine each student’s ability to differentiate between sounds of notes, melodies and rhythms.
3. The IMP teacher will collate all student information as above and pass this on to the School-Based Teacher at each school.
4. This information will be considered collaboratively by a team of school staff, who will select 16-26 students who will be provided with offers of membership in the IMP school band program. Families who don’t wish to accept their offer are welcome to decline. Students accepting a place in the Year 5 Band are accepting a place on any available instrument.

Students who move between ACT public schools and who are members of the IMP band program at their original school are able to move directly into the IMP band program in their new school. Quality music instruction will be provided for such students at any school, regardless of whether the child plays a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument.

Students who come to the ACT from interstate or overseas midway through Year 5 or 6, after band selection has already taken place, and have significant skills and experience playing a concert band instrument may also be offered a place in the IMP band program at their new school. This is considered on a case by-case basis following thorough consultation with the IMP teacher at the new school.

Instrument Allocation

The IMP teacher assigned to the school allocates instruments to students. This is based on a number of factors including physical and personal characteristics, as well as student preferences. Orthodontics – current and potential – is also a consideration. This process is undertaken to give the students the greatest chance of success on their instrument and also to ensure instrument balance within each band.

The selection of percussionists in each band requires especially careful attention. Once the band members have been confirmed, the IMP teacher at the school will conduct a range of activities specifically designed to help determine each student’s dexterity and co-ordination as well as their ability to keep a steady beat, play at a range of tempos, and produce rhythmic patterns accurately.

Resources Provided

Students accepting a place in the Year 5 Band at their school will be provided with an instrument and all of the required books and printed music. Percussionists will be provided with a kit of instruments including glockenspiel, practice pad, sticks and mallets. Parents/carers – including those of percussionists – are not required to provide any additional instruments for their students.

After instruments have been allocated, students will receive a loan form that will need to be completed by parents/carers and returned to the school before instruments can be taken home. The instruments are assets of the ACT Education Directorate and are loaned by the IMP to the school, who then loans the instruments to families of IMP students.  As is the case for all ACT Education Directorate assets, neither the IMP nor the Directorate commercially insure the assets when they are on loan to a school or student. Families are encouraged to check with their insurance providers as to whether or not an IMP instrument would be covered under their Home and Contents insurance policy and under what conditions. Parents/carers may also wish to speak to their child’s School Principal regarding the loan of the instrument from the school to their family. Instrument repair for ‘wear and tear’ and reasonable accidental damage is included. The cost of instrument repair that has been made necessary as a result of neglect, misuse or intentional damage may be passed on to students’ families. Parents/carers are welcome to purchase instruments for their students if desired, but there will be no reduction in IMP fees payable.

Each student will also be provided with an IMP practice journal and pencil, which they should bring to every band lesson.

Students will receive two group sessions per week with an IMP teacher. Typically, these sessions total 1.5 hours per week per group, but this may vary slightly depending on school timetables.

Cost

There is a cost associated with participation in the IMP school bands program. This is set by the IMP and is charged to each school in Term 1 each year. Each school will determine how to pass this cost on to families and will provide this information to families along with the offers of place. The IMP does not charge families directly. The fees paid by schools and families is a contribution only and is not reflective of the true costs of the provision of this program to students.

Parent/Carer Support

Parents/carers can support their developing musicians by:

• spending time with their student exploring their instrument
• offering praise and encouragement to their child
• providing a space and time for regular practice at home
• providing a music stand
• helping their child to maintain a daily practice record in their IMP practice journal
• providing a secure place for storage of the IMP instrument
• helping students to bring their instrument and other necessary equipment to school on band days
• providing opportunities for their child to perform for family members at home
• attending school performances when possible
• helping their child to balance their activities and fulfill their commitment to the band program

Benefits of Instrumental Music Learning

The benefits of instrumental music learning are well-documented and tend to outweigh any challenges presented by withdrawal from other lessons. Parents/carers are advised to contact their child’s school with any questions about how their student’s learning schedule may be affected by withdrawal for band lessons.

Private Instrumental Music Lessons

Students in Years 5 and 6 Bands are not required to take private instrumental music lessons. It can be confusing and stressful for beginning students to receive regular instruction from several different teachers. In addition, it is desirable that students within any particular school band group are working at a similar level. It is also not the aim of the IMP to remove the livelihood of private instrumental tutors.

Additional Opportunities

Year 6 students in ACT public schools have the opportunity to audition for the ACT IMP Primary Concert Band. This is an extension ensemble comprising students playing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Most ACT public high schools offer opportunities for students to play in concert bands at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. A small number of these programs are operated by the IMP, but most are administered by the schools. For information about high school band programs, parents/carers are advised to contact the particular high schools.