This year, music teachers at McRoberts had an inquiry:
How can we foster inter-school connections andcollaborations between music teachers and studentsfrom the various schools in ݮֱ? How maycross-school connection and collaboration impact thelearning and growth of music students in ݮֱ’sschools?
Because they noticed that their students;
- Theyare keento play new and more challenging music.
- They are eager to learn about Jazz and to develop theirknowledge of jazz harmony and scales/modes toenable them to improvise over the chord progressionsthey are faced with in their repertoire.
- They are confident and willing to take risks.
- They are thankful to have an opportunity to play musictogether with like-minded musicians.
- They are busy: after-school/off-timetable classes,lessons, sports, jobs…
How did the inquiry make a difference? How would you describe your experience of rehearsing and playing withmusic teachers and other student musicians from around the ݮֱSchool District?
- “Playing with other musicians motivates me to improve my ownplaying. Watching experienced musicians play and solo is inspiringand invigorating for an aspiring student like myself.”(A.S. McRoberts student).
- “The only experience I have (playing in a band like this) isElementary Honour Band. At the time band was too easy andquite boring. It wasreally niceto have an enriched challenge.”(A.C. McMath student)
Next steps for this project:
- Keep the band going next year and beyond inorder to continue fostering relationships amongkeen young musicians in SD 38s secondaryschools – the beat goes on!
- Continue learning about recording techniques sowe can produce and share quality recordings bythis band.
- We hope to connect members of the band withmembers of the Vancouver Jazz scene to inspirethem to keep pursuing their musical potential.
