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IMPACT Band Year 5 & 6

Clarinet

Years 5 and 6 Band Classes

The ACT Instrumental Music Program provides group instruction on concert band instruments (woodwind, brass, percussion) to up to 23 students in each of Years 5 and 6 at each participating primary school. This particular program of instruction operates in 48 of Canberra’s 56 public primary schools and is designed to supplement the music education of students in Years 5 and 6. It is not the intention or purpose of the Instrumental Music Program to be the sole provider of any student’s music education.

IMP staff are qualified ACT Education Directorate teachers employed under the same conditions as teachers in ACT public schools. All IMP teachers hold qualifications in music and/or education and have experience in instrumental music performance and pedagogy.

Each participating school in the IMP band program will offer lessons on either brass/percussion or woodwind/percussion instruments. This is to promote efficiency of teaching and learning and allow for steady progress for students on all instruments. At regular intervals throughout the year (usually once per term), different band classes will combine to rehearse together. This provides students with the opportunity to play as part of a full concert band (woodwind, brass and percussion).

Each band class will be supported by a teacher from the school. This teacher is called a School-Based Teacher (SBT) and is integral to the success of the band. The SBT is the first point of contact for parents/carers for any band-related matters. The SBT also runs an additional rehearsal each week and facilitates performance opportunities within the school.

Instruments

Woodwind instruments included in all Years 5/6 band programs are flute and clarinet. Oboe may also be included at the discretion of the IMP teacher at that school. Midway through Year 5, up to three clarinet players may be offered the opportunity to move to alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and bass clarinet at the discretion of the IMP teacher. All flute players in the Year 6 Band are given the opportunity to play piccolo at various times throughout the year.

Brass instruments included in the Years 5/6 band program are trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba. Midway through Year 5, up to two trumpet players may be offered the opportunity to move to (French) horn at the discretion of the IMP teacher.

Each band has three or four percussionists who all play a range of percussion instruments including bass drum, snare drum, glockenspiel (bells) and auxiliary instruments. Music reading is required for percussionists in the same way as it is required for all other instruments.

Student Selection

Participation in the IMP school band program is a two-year commitment, and the only point of entry is the beginning of Year 5. Students are expected to remain in the band for the full two years. Families are asked to consider this commitment carefully before accepting or declining an offer of place. Once the Year 5 program has begun, students cannot be ‘recruited’ to join the program to replace students who have left.

The IMP is an opportunity program and aims to offer music tuition to students who may not otherwise be in a position to receive it. As such, students who are already taking lessons on a concert band instrument may only be considered for inclusion in the IMP band class after all other students have been considered. More advanced players who are not eligible for inclusion in the IMP band class may be invited to play along with the band at performances or additional rehearsals. Students who have experience playing a non-concert band instrument may be considered for membership in the Year 5 Band along with all other students.

A selection process is undertaken by school staff and the IMP teacher assigned to that school. This selection process was reviewed in 2019 by Dr Anita Collins, and the recommendations from this review were implemented.

  1. Year 4 teachers provide information to the IMP on every student in the year group on four key attributes that have been shown to influence the success of beginning instrumental music learners – Work Habits, Group Etiquette, Reading Skills, Completion of Home Tasks. Note that ‘Completion of Home Tasks’ takes into account a variety of skills and is not limited to completion of formal homework.
  2. All Year 4 students undertake an aural music perception activity administered by an IMP teacher. This activity does not rely on previous music experience or knowledge and is designed to determine each student’s ability to differentiate between different pitches, rhythms, chords and melodies. It is important that no student is excluded from having the opportunity to undertake this activity.
  3. The IMP provides a list of students to each school with results given for the four key attributes and the music perception activity. This list is ranked by total score on both the four key attributes and the music perception activity.
  4. School staff selects students based on the above information as well as their own knowledge of the students. Offers are made to families by school staff until the maximum number of students has been reached. Families who don’t wish to accept their offer are welcome to decline. Students accepting a place in the band program are accepting a place on any instrument and are not able to specify a preference of instrument at this stage.

Students who move between ACT public schools and who are members of the IMP band class at their original school are able to move directly into the IMP band program in their new school. Quality music instruction will be provided for such students at any school, regardless of whether the child plays a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument.

Students who come to the ACT from interstate or overseas midway through Year 5 or 6, after band selection has already taken place, and have significant skills and experience playing a concert band instrument may also be offered a place in the IMP band program at their new school. This is considered on a case by-case basis following thorough consultation with the IMP teacher at the new school.

Instrument Allocation

The IMP teacher assigned to the school allocates instruments to students. This is based on a number of factors including physical and personal characteristics, as well as student preferences. Orthodontics – current and potential – is also a consideration. This process is undertaken to give the students the greatest chance of success on their instrument and also to ensure instrument balance within each band.

The selection of percussionists in each band requires especially careful attention. Once the band members have been confirmed, the IMP teacher at the school will conduct a range of activities specifically designed to help determine each student’s dexterity and co-ordination as well as their ability to keep a steady beat, play at a range of tempos, and produce rhythmic patterns accurately.

Resources Provided

Students accepting a place in the Year 5 Band at their school will be provided with an instrument and all of the required books and printed music. Percussionists will be provided with a kit of instruments including glockenspiel, practice pad, sticks and mallets. Parents/carers – including those of percussionists – are not required to provide any additional instruments for their students.

After instruments have been allocated, students will receive a loan form that will need to be completed by parents/carers and returned to the school before instruments can be taken home. The instruments are assets of the ACT Education Directorate and are loaned by the IMP to the school, who then loans the instruments to families of IMP students.  As is the case for all ACT Education Directorate assets, neither the IMP nor the Directorate commercially insure the assets when they are on loan to a school or student. Families are encouraged to check with their insurance providers as to whether or not an IMP instrument would be covered under their Home and Contents insurance policy and under what conditions. Parents/carers may also wish to speak to their child’s School Principal regarding the loan of the instrument from the school to their family. Instrument repair for ‘wear and tear’ and reasonable accidental damage is included. The cost of instrument repair that has been made necessary as a result of neglect, misuse or intentional damage may be passed on to students’ families. Parents/carers are welcome to purchase instruments for their students if desired, but there will be no reduction in IMP fees payable.

Each student will also be provided with an IMP practice journal and pencil, which they should bring to every band lesson.

Students will receive two group sessions per week with a specialist IMP teacher. Typically, these sessions total 1.5 hours per week per group, but this may vary slightly depending on school timetables.

Cost

There is a cost associated with participation in the IMP school bands program. This is set by the IMP and is charged to each school in Term 1 each year. Each school will determine how to pass this cost on to families and will provide this information to families along with the offers of place. The IMP does not charge families directly. The fees paid by schools and families is a contribution only and is not reflective of the true costs of the provision of this program to students.

Parent/Carer Support

Parents/carers can support their developing musicians by:

Benefits of Instrumental Music Learning

The benefits of instrumental music learning are well-documented and tend to outweigh any challenges presented by withdrawal from other lessons. Parents/carers are advised to contact their child’s school with any questions about how their student’s learning schedule may be affected by withdrawal for band lessons.

Private Instrumental Music Lessons

Students in Years 5 and 6 Bands are not required or encouraged to take private instrumental music lessons. It can be confusing and stressful for beginning students to receive regular instruction from several different teachers. In addition, it is desirable that students within any particular school band group are working at a similar level. It is also not the aim of the IMP to remove the livelihood of private instrumental tutors.

Additional Opportunities

Students in Year 6 IMP bands at school have the opportunity to audition for the ACT IMP Primary Concert Band. This is an extension ensemble comprising students playing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Most ACT public high schools offer opportunities for students to play in concert bands at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. A small number of these programs are operated by the IMP, but most are administered by the schools. For information about high school band programs, parents/carers are advised to contact the particular high schools.