This year’s Beginning Band members at Aoba-Japan International School. A-JIS
Beginning Band enters a fourth season at Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS). The historically popular elective introduces students in the 4th and 5th grades to the musical arts. Students are able to choose from a wide variety of wind instruments and percussion. After performing in Beginning Band, students are able to further pursue their musical education in the School Band, Choir, or award-winning Handbell Group.
The secret of Beginning Band’s success is in the structure of the lessons. Because everyone is at the same beginner level, students can focus on the fundamental skills needed by young musicians. Homogeneous (same instrument) lesson groups ensure that class time is spent on the techniques relevant to each instrument. Beginning Band can be heard several times each year at various performance venues, including the traditional “First Performance and Ice Cream Social” scheduled toward the end of November. — ROYCE JACOBS
