April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
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Strike up the band at St. Francis School
Strike up the band at St. Francis School
After a count-off from the director, the air is filled with the familiar tune of the theme from "Star Wars." Listeners wouldn't guess that, a few months ago, most of the students didn't even know how to hold an instrument.
The band started during the last school year, with just 10 students participating. Since its first concert last year, the number of participants has nearly doubled, forcing the group to move into a larger rehearsal room.
The group is made up of students from grades three through six, including the entire fourth grade class. Instruments in the band include saxophones, flutes, trumpets, clarinets and percussion.
Fourth-grader Evan Lyga joined the band for one reason: to play the trumpet.
"I've been hearing people play the trumpet, and I like the way it sounds," he said. "It's tricky to play."
Dominick Gebso, a fifth-grader, picked up the same instrument, because "my dad's friend's son played the trumpet. He was really good at it."
For fourth-grader Colin Hart, choosing an instrument to play in the band seemed like a no-brainer: "Every band I ever saw had a saxophone."
Let's go, band!
Band members have a hand in choosing what songs they play, although Ms. Dillman ultimately makes the decision. Sometimes, she explained, the young musicians set their sights a little too high.
The song "Let's Go, Band" was suggested by principal Kathleen Coye. The traditional fight song is now one of the band's favorites.
"It sounds good, but it's really simple," said Ms. Dillman, so it's perfect for the band of beginners.
"We have about four songs that we're working on for our June concert," she told The Evangelist. In addition to the "Star Wars" theme and "Let's Go, Band," the ensemble is working on "This Little Light of Mine" and another tune.
Many of the students in the band have previous musical experience, although that's not a requirement. Ms. Dillman gives piano lessons to a number of students after school, something she's done as a side job for more than 20 years.
"I really like seeing the progress that they make," Ms. Dillman said of all of her students. Most of her experience has been working with younger children.
"I like the sound of how good we are," boasted third-grader Lilia McLean, one of the band's newest flute players.
Learning curve
The students in the St. Francis band have lessons one day a week, as well as a weekly band rehearsal. Ms. Dillman provides a lot of the lessons herself, although she occasionally has friends come in to help with specific instruments.
Percussion lessons are done almost entirely by Joe Vincent, a senior at Herkimer High School and alumnus of St. Francis.
"I play in a band," he explained, "so I primarily play drum set."
Joe goes over to St. Francis School during his study hall period to help the young students practice.
"My favorite part is getting new kids interested" in drumming, he told The Evangelist as he set up a bass drum for a lesson. "If I can interest some kids to do it, that would be great."
Seniors at Joe's high school have to complete a number of community service hours; so, even though he was working with the St. Francis students before he realized that, he's able to fulfill a requirement while helping out the young drummers.
Ms. Dillman noted that having a teenager working with them can really inspire the budding musicians. She even rewards her band members with a piece of candy if they report back to her that they practiced at some point during the week.
Brayton Langdon, a saxophone player in the band, admits that sometimes it can be hard to find the time to practice his instrument. Even as a fifth-grader, he has a busy schedule of sports practices -- basketball, baseball and soccer -- and other activities.
Ms. Dillman doesn't want the students to think of band as stressful. In fact, she noted, the band members don't receive school credit or a grade for their participation. It's just for fun.[[In-content Ad]]
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