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Embouchure. Ligature. Tonguing. If your child knows the meaning of these words, that means they are probably already involved in band, a worthwhile activity that builds life skills, encourages teamwork, and develops a strong work ethic.
Tonguing: Using the tongue to control the flow of air into a wind instrument.
Embouchure: The adjustment of a player's mouth to the mouthpiece of a wind instrument.
Ligature: A metal band for securing the reed of a clarinet or saxophone to the mouthpiece.
There are many opportunities in the Treasure Valley for involvement in a band, and for many, that means starting with their school.
Most area schools offer band starting in junior high or middle school and continue through high school. Some start in the fifth grade or earlier, such as art magnet schools in the Meridian School District, a few schools in the Boise School District, and the Idaho Arts Charter School. (The Boise School District also offers orchestral instrument instruction beginning in fifth grade for all schools.)
In high school, students can be involved in marching band and advanced groups such as jazz band.
Robin Boles at Blue Rider Music in Meridian suggests starting with the clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone, or trumpet. Some schools offer instrument rental. Several local music stores offer instruments for rental and purchase. At Blue Rider, your child may try out various instruments and then will be shown proper cleaning and care of the instrument.
Another option is to shop online. Playing on a cheap or faulty instrument can be frustrating, so before you buy, research the names of quality instruments that are made in the U.S., Taiwan, or Japan.
In addition to school bands, there are community competitions and opportunities available. For names of private teachers, talk to a band teacher, local music stores, and Boise State University. A high school band teacher may be able to recommend a high school instrumentalist who is advanced enough for beginning students.
Solo and Ensemble Festival: Solo and ensemble festival is a free event held every spring. Students perform alone or in small ensembles in front of a local judge to gain experience and helpful critique. Information is available through the school band director.
All-State / All-Northwest Honor Band: Players for the All-State / All-Northwest Honor Band are selected through audition to play for the Music Educators Conference in late winter, held every other year. The All-Northwest Band consists of the top students from six northwestern states.The All-State Band plays for the Idaho Music Educators (IMEA) Conference. High school students record auditions and submit an application through the band teacher in the fall.
Idaho Music Educators Association Competition: IMEA also sponsors an Idaho Music Educators Association Competition. Songs are chosen from a list and the competition is in the spring.
All-City Intermediate Honor Band: In Boise, there is an All-City Intermediate Honor Band, which holds auditions in November. Talk to your band teacher for information.
Meridian Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition: This competition is for solo instrumentalists and students must choose music from classical concert literature. The next competition is in January.
Treasure Valley Youth Symphony: The Boise Philharmonic offers a youth symphony by audition in September. Rehearsals are once a week and there are three performances during the school year.
Looking ahead, summer opportunities abound in the Treasure Valley for students who would like to enhance their musical interests and further their instruction and experience.
Boise School District Summer Music: The Boise School District offers a summer music program for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Practices are every day beginning the week after school ends, with a concert at the end of June.
Gene Harris Jazz Camp: The Gene Harris Jazz Camp is in June for instrumentalists from 5th grade to adult who want to learn more about jazz improvisation.
Cavalcade Band Camp: For intense marching band instruction, high school students may participate in the Cavalcade Band Camp through Boise State University. Registration is available with or without housing and meals.
Two of my daughters participate in band: one at Mountain View High School as a freshman playing the trombone, and the other at Christine Donnell School of the Arts playing the clarinet. I have encouraged this activity because they can grow as individual musicians and as part of a group. To practice, my daughters have to be disciplined with their time. In band, they work with other musicians to create enjoyable music.
According to Garret Vaughn, the band director at Idaho Arts Charter School, research shows that students involved in music develop a higher level of problem solving and critical thinking skills, are better socially adjusted, gain increased language ability, have less stress, and score higher on the math and verbal portion of the SAT than students who are not involved in music.
Vanessa Perala, the band teacher at Mountain View High, suggests these additional benefits of involvement in band: a sense of belonging and connection with other kids; growth in ability and skill level; confidence to take on greater challenges; enhancing team work, work ethic, dedication, communication, discipline, structure, and leadership; and self-expression in a positive manner that transcends words.
So, encourage the tonguing, embouchure, and use of a ligature. Your child will grow as an individual, as part of a larger group, and as a musician.
INSTRUMENTS
Woodwinds: Flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon
Brass: Trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, French horn
Percussion: Snare drums, bass drums, chimes
RESOURCES
Idaho Music Educators Association
(IMEA) www.idahomusiced.org
Meridian Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition
www.meridiansymphony.org
Treasure Valley Youth Symphony
www.boisephilharmonic.org/tvys
Gene Harris Jazz Camp
www.geneharris.org
Boise School District Summer Music
Roger Lingle, 854-4155
Cavalcade Band Camp
426-1846
Docena Holm is the mother of five musical children. In the front closet of her home, you will find games, coats, and a trombone, a clarinet, a saxophone, a trumpet, a flute, and a violin.
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