SCHOOL NEWS
Tequesta Trace Middle School Bands Bring Music to the Masses BY STACEY BOMSER
T
he Tequesta Trace Middle School bands have been active this year, performing at various venues and events here in Weston and throughout South Florida. Band Director Heston Curry is a strong proponent of public performances. “Music and the arts are an essential part of any vibrant community. By bringing young musicians out into the community, we are teaching the students and the community the value of live music. It also allows the community who funds our programs to see and enjoy the benefits of music education.”
The Tequesta Trace Middle School band performed at Celebrate the Arts Day.
So far this year, Tequesta Trace band members have performed at Weston’s Celebrate the Arts Day, entertained hockey fans before a Florida Panthers game, participated in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Indian Trace Elementary field day was one of the International Airport’s Winterfest, and played during band’s many community appearances. school. Mr. Curry notes that music offers tremendous the YMCA’s Veterans Day celebration. academic benefits. Last month, the Jazz Catz, the school’s advanced “Recent brain research studies have shown that jazz band, performed at the Melton Mustafa Jazz playing an instrument with others in a group is one of Festival in Miami. Mr. Curry says it was exciting for the only activities that scientists have found stimua middle school to be invited to perform at such a lates all parts of the brain simultaneously,” he shares. prestigious jazz event. “It is now well documented that students who particiThe band has also performed at Weston elemenpate in musical ensembles outperform their peers in tary school events, such as Eagle Point’s Reflections learning gains in math and reading. Furthermore, ceremony and Indian Trace’s field day. Mr. Curry says he welcomes the opportunity to have his middle students learn responsibility, creativity, confidence and teamwork in musical ensembles, and these skills school musicians perform for younger students. are the skills needed in the jobs of the future.” “First, it builds a sense of community. Secondly, it In addition to heading the Tequesta Trace music promotes our music program. And lastly, it brings department for the past five years, Mr. Curry is also a unique musical experience to the students in involved with the Broward County Band Director’s elementary school who may never have seen or Association. This voluntary service organization heard a marching band, concert band or jazz band,” coordinates the school district’s countywide honors explains Mr. Curry. bands. Several Tequesta Trace students have had the There is also a hope that by exposing elementary privilege of playing in the honors band along with school students to these performances, children Broward’s finest young musicians. will want to take band as an elective in middle
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1/24/18 12:11 PM