Grade 5 Music is always an exciting time in music as students are introduced to the band instrumental program. The instrument they get assigned will stay with them through the rest of their years at Wesley as they will play it for the rest of grade five and until they graduate grade eight.
It is quite the process that begins in September with students learning about the two instrument families that we have at Wesley – the brass family and the woodwind family. They are introduced to each instrument and get to see what they look like and how they sound. After all of them have been shown and demonstrated, students rank their top choices and are eventually assigned their instrument.
Once students know what instrument they are going to be playing, their journey as a band musician begins. They need to learn how to care for the instrument, which includes how to properly open and close the case, how to wipe the instrument clean, how to empty the water key on a brass instrument, and what to do with the reed on a woodwind instrument. They practice how to assemble the instrument, which for some like the saxophone and clarinet, involve many steps! They also need to learn how to properly hold the instrument and the correct playing posture. After they have had a chance to practice these things at school, students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge through both a written quiz and a practical demonstration. Upon successful completion of these tasks, the day arrives when students can bring their instrument home.
Enjoy these photos of students learning and practicing these important skills. Much excitement could be heard and seen as they got to touch, hold, and eventually play their first sound! I am looking forward to seeing how these students will grow as musicians and the music we will enjoy playing together as the year progresses.
