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CLASS BAND


playing as an ensemble. Their playing proficiency continues to improve and, in response to their enthusiastic requests, we are increasing rehearsal opportunities. Class Band has definitely impacted on the personal and social development of those taking part. At the beginning of the pilot the students, from a range of different junior schools, quickly established a strong group ethos from playing and listening together in Class Band. There is a real sense that, through this shared, common experience, they are truly learning together. The impact has also been felt at


Claire Whitmore, deputy headteacher at Barr’s Hill School, Coventry, reflects on the impact of Yamaha’s Class Band whole-class wind band project on her school


Band bonding at Barr’s Hill


S


elwyn Calvin (headteacher) and I arrived at Barr’s Hill in September 2009 with a shared vision for music that would increase the


range of musical opportunities available to our students. Until that date, music provision at Barr’s Hill had centred on rock and steel pan programmes, but why shouldn’t students at an inner-city school play the tuba, clarinet, flute...? Why shouldn’t there be a school orchestra? A completely different approach to music-making was needed and therein lay the challenge: how do you change a culture where learning a more traditional instrument was extremely rare and many thought it just ‘not cool’?


The Class Band pilot presented the ideal solution of a quality programme – in both method and instruments – that would immediately increase the numbers of students playing instruments across Year 7. As we enter the second year, the pilot has been expanded and it has become the norm for students to play together in their weekly music lesson – the students


now tell you it is ‘cool – it’s just what we do!’


If you visit Barr’s Hill you will now see students proudly carrying their instruments; this is just one visible sign that the culture and musical ethos of the school has changed. Longer term, these students will become the first members of our school orchestra; the vision is becoming reality! The musical impact on those taking


part has been significant. Before they joined Class Band hardly any students could read music and none was learning to play an instrument; it was very exciting for them to see such a wide range of instruments which they had never heard live nor held. The trial period (when students test out the different instruments and then indicate their preferences) was important; most students received their first choice and their involvement in this decision- making secured enthusiasm and commitment.


After only two terms, skill levels


have increased greatly. The students can now read music and even in the early weeks, it was remarkable how quickly they were able to begin


home, with the majority of parents delighted their child is learning an instrument. One of our more enterprising students even sold tickets for a family concert! However, it has led some students to new and sometimes difficult ground: some have had to negotiate practice time with parents and neighbours - resilience and persistence have certainly been needed. Some students are also beginning to recognise how music can help manage their emotions; one boy said ‘it makes me feel better in myself because I can play’ and if he’s having a bad day, it helps being able to ‘blast it out’. The greatest impact has probably


been through students having responsibility for their instrument at home and school; one student commented that having to look after his trumpet has made him ‘care about my stuff more, so I don’t just throw it on the floor any more’. Allowing them to take their instrument home shows trust and impacts on the development of their self-belief and confidence, the benefits of which permeate all aspects of their lives.


Barr’s Hill is the most improved school in Coventry. We aim to provide world-class education and it is therefore essential we immerse our students in the broadest range of experiences. High-quality, high-profile music opportunities – both in the classroom and beyond - are an important strand in our strategy to raise standards and aspirations. They ensure that young people from even the most disadvantaged backgrounds are able to enjoy and appreciate music as a professional or leisure pursuit. The Class Band pilot is beginning to prove its value within our story of school improvement and, as the programme continues to expand, we eagerly await the further benefits it will bring.


Information about Class Band is available from: http://bit.ly/jIOfOF


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Photo: © Bill C Martin


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