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by Tom Boyle [email protected] Although most people associate school bands with football games and holiday concerts, few stop to realize that these young players� interest in music generally began at an early age. The Titusville School District has elementary level programs that allow the students to study music on an individual basis and as part of a group. According to Carl Olson, music department chairman, elementary band members are comprised of students in the fifth grade where participants can either rent or purchase their instruments. He said an individual comes to the schools once a week to check over the rented instruments. Olson explained that a presentation about the band program is given to fourth-graders and parents during which the various instruments, etc., are discussed. By the time the kids reach the fifth grade, they are matched up with an instrument. The program at the elementary level focuses on individual lessons, although the students in each school do practice and perform together as a unit. Olson said the elementary bands perform at their own schools as part of the annual winter and spring concerts. �From seventh grade and up students must get lessons on their own,� Olson said. �The ones who do well keep up the lessons, along with (their playing with) the band.� Main Street School band members have been tackling pep music, including easy arrangements of �Here We Go,� �THS,� and �We Will Rock You,� to coincide with the pro football season. The area musicians seem to enjoy the experience of playing music and the friendship which goes along with being part of a musical group. Their comments bear this out. �I like it,� said Tara Jackson of the Hydetown band. �You get to play muscial instruments.� �It�s a nice experience,� said Emilee Baldwin. �You get to be with friends who are not in your class. It�s a good time to be together.� �I like the band,� Emily Nottingham said. �You get to hear yourself play and get to hear new sounds.� Connor McCray agreed. �It�s cool. We get to learn new things each week. It�s fun.� Morgan Allis of Pleasantville elementary said the best part of the program was being able to play an instrument as part of the band � in her case, the flute. Trumpeter Tyler Brown said he enjoyed working with band director Jennifer Bufalino. His favorite song to perform is, �Go Tell Bill.� Abby Last said the best part of band was �I can play an instrument,� she said. �I like the flute because the sound is so soft.� Last said her cousin Michelle also plays the flute. The elementary school band directors are Bufalino, Pleasantville; Susan Ledebur, Main Street and Victoria Mays, Hydetown. Add a comment |
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