Longtime McLaughlin Middle School band director Cheryl Olivier is finding new ways to spark student interest in instrumental music. This fall, a kind and eager group of fifth graders entered her general music class and immediately asked, “When can we learn instruments?”
While band numbers naturally ebb and flow, this year’s incoming class was a bit smaller than usual. So Ms. Olivier saw an opportunity. She adapted her curriculum to expand beyond piano keyboarding and introduce students to band instruments as well. Now, her classroom is organized into stations where students rotate between piano work and learning instruments such as flute, trumpet, and percussion.
The results have been remarkable. The students have not only caught up to their peers but are now ready to join the school band. This creative approach has given them a head start in instrumental music and, more importantly, opened the door to a lifetime of learning and musical growth.
