WELL-BEING
WELL-BEING
GROWING A BEGINNER BAND By Charles McLean, Lead Teacher: Music – Integrated Performance
O
ne of the key aims of the Primary Music Department is to provide students with as many different opportunities to explore the subject as possible, experiencing a wide range of styles, cultures and instruments. It is wonderful that at Bangkok Patana we have a high percentage of students learning a musical instrument. The most popular instrument, by some distance, is piano. This was also my first instrument growing up and makes for a fabulous entry into the world of music. However, in the same way that certain children show a greater natural flair for tee-ball over football, some children may have a more natural connection with the trombone over the piano, or indeed the clarinet over the violin. Our aim is to help 8
• Bangkok Patana School
provide a range of opportunities so that all students have the chance to find their musical passion, whatever that may be. “Clarinet is my favourite instrument to practise at home, as it’s a more unique skill and the sound is really beautiful.” – Torres Chou, 6T The Beginnings of the Band It was with this in mind that in January 2020 we began brand new ECAs offering beginner-group tuition on trumpet and clarinet for students who had never experienced these instruments before. Each group began with ten students, and by August of the same year, we expanded to
include beginner flutes. In January 2021, we began to merge these beginner groups together to form our band. A key aspect of the band approach is the motivating factor of collaborating with peers. Students really enjoy the social aspect of playing together, making new friends in a different context and developing a team spirit. Once students have secured the fundamentals of a technique and are able to play a few notes, it is amazing how quickly these beginners can come together to form a band. This has been a hugely rewarding experience. “Playing music with other people makes me feel more comfortable than playing alone.” – Irin Leena, 6T