The 2008-09 academic year will find St. James' Middle School Students electing either Chorus or Band for the entire academic year. Band, of course, carries the requirement of having one's own instrument for at least the 9 month academic year. St. James will provide a $30 stipend to help offset the initial cost of renting or purchasing an instrument. In addition the music department will provide each student with SmartMusic software (which is an absolutely fantastic practice tool for the entire family). We thank participating families in advance for their willingness to support the St. James Band.

But WHY COMMIT TO BAND? So many answers come to mind that I must list them. One commits to band...

1) for the pure pleasure of playing music.
2) for the joy of playing with a group of other similarly minded people.
3) to learn the discipline of learning to blend with the group to produce a gorgeous sound.
4) because reading music uses the same synapses which perform mathematical calculations!
5) because instrumental students, as a group, do better academically than students who do not play an instrument.
6) because music uses 70% of the brain (both the right and left sides) and thus constitutes a sort of calisthenics for the mind.
7) to take part in great concerts.
8) to practice and develop fantastic musical chops (i.e., technique).
9) to make lifelong friends.
10) to never, ever be bored!

Can you think of more reasons?