Published for the Arts Based School Community
April 27, 2023
How We Do It and Why
By Mary Siebert
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” – Albert Einstein
Einstein was a musician. One need not take on the rewarding life of a professional musician in order to gain the benefits of the art. Einstein’s regular violin practice fed that famous brain. Learning to read music is a complicated puzzle. Each note represents not only pitch but also rhythmic value. For a new student to interpret both of these values at once, let alone translate it through an unfamiliar instrument, is challenging. This process has been proven, over and over, to benefit students’ brain development. Studies prove that learning to play a musical instrument helps develop neural pathways in the brain.
In ABS 5th and 6th grades, ALL students will take band next year. Band is not an elective, it is a requirement. Teaching twenty children at once how to play five or more instruments is not like anything else. Each instrument requires unique assembly, hand position, fingering, posture, application of breath, and mouth position. They even read notes differently. But they must somehow sound together as one. Each child with a broken reed or stuck mouthpiece requires immediate and individual attention. It’s not like teaching writing. They’re loud! You can’t circle the room and peacefully speak with each student as others continue working. They can’t practice during study hall, as they can study math. Their mistakes are public, and corrections are necessarily made in that same forum, which can feel embarrassing. And then, unlike other subjects, you must somehow unify all of these beginners to play together, with relative accuracy. It is not a job for the faint of heart. Even beginning band teachers who work with elected band are often referred to by parents as “saintly.”
To corral these challenges, we are launching a plan that was previously derailed by Covid.
5th Grade. An entire class of students at 5th grade will learn a single instrument simultaneously. 5th graders will be introduced to each of flute, trumpet, and clarinet using school-owned instruments. They will rotate each trimester to try all three over the course of the school year. In this way, the teacher will be able to address the challenges and delights of playing each instrument across a whole class. These instruments will not be sent home for practicing.
5th graders will also do some world music drumming activities, as well as singing, almost every day, keeping them moving and constantly engaged, with a wide variety of opportunities for musical development.
6th Grade. Rising 6th graders will return to our pre-Covid design: Each student chooses an instrument for band, for the entire school year. Families are expected to rent, purchase, or borrow an instrument independently. Choices include: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. At 6th grade, band will be mixed instruments in each class, with all three classes united for concerts and demonstrations. Students will be expected to practice at home. Instruments will be provided for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch. There will be a demonstration of each instrument on May 17 at school, for rising 6th graders to try out each instrument.
7th and 8th Grades. 7th and 8th graders will work with a combination of music tech, composition, basic keyboard skills, and singing for their large-scale productions. Students who wish to continue in band will be invited to attend traditional after-school band rehearsals, to help prepare them for state competitions and for high school band. Also on offer will be world music classes after school, to explore music making in a less traditional way.
The most valuable tool for steady progress on an instrument is unquestionably daily practice. Students who practice at home, even a little every day, progress much more rapidly and with more confidence than others. Like daily reading, daily instrumental practice at home is encouraged. In encouraging daily practice, parents are helping kids learn that a little commitment goes a long way, and they are boosting brain development, too.
Teacher Appreciation Week 2023
May 1- May 5
It's almost May and with the end of the year just around the corner, it's time to show our wonderful ABS teachers and staff how much we appreciate them. Please mark your calendars to help shower your teachers, special teachers, and all the ABS staff with appreciation the week of May 1. Please reach out to Teacher Appreciation Coordinators, Brandi Cleveland or Leigh Stanfield if you have questions. Prepare to have a Gratitude Attitude!
Message Monday: Have your student write a special letter or thank-you card
Tuesday Treat-day: Bring in a tasty treat for your teacher
Wishlist Wednesday: Surprise your teacher with an item from their wishlist
Thirsty Thursday: Bring in a beverage or gift card to a coffee/smoothie shop
Floral Friday: Have your student pick a flower or bring in a plant for the classroom
Interested in working for ABS?
The Arts Based School (ABS) is a popular and successful K-8 public charter school in Winston-Salem, offering competitive salaries and NC State health plan and retirement benefits to full-time employees.
Warm collegial relationships and a high level of collaboration are consistently noted by teachers as favorite aspects of working at ABS. We accept applications year-round from licensed teachers. Ideal candidates are passionate, energetic, creative, and innovative. ABS teachers are team players who plan together across arts and other disciplines to deliver uniquely integrated curriculum. This contributes to our cheerful, vibrant, learning community, and results in accomplished, confident students.
Our campus, located in downtown Winston-Salem, includes two updated brick tobacco warehouses: a colorful K-4 building with a blackbox theater, dance studio and art room, and an “industrial chic” 5-8 building with a drama studio, an art room bordering an outdoor sketching garden, a modern, light-filled music room, and a large, open courtyard.
For more information and application, check our website: https://www.artsbasedschool.com/apps/pages/employment
Current Openings: Middle School Science, Middle School EC, Teaching Assistant, Part-time K-2 Music and Dance
Assistant Principal for the Day
Does your child want a chance to be Assistant Principal for the day? We hold drawings every month at Friday Sing! You can purchase raffle tickets online or in the front office of your campus to give your child a chance to be Assistant Principal of the Day. Assistant Principals have their own desk, name tag, and list of very important duties for the day. All proceeds from the raffle support our teacher appreciation fund and allow us to do special things for our staff throughout the year. Thank you, and good luck!
Save the Date-ABS Graduation
Let’s celebrate our 8th graders! Graduation is scheduled for Monday, June 5 at 12 noon in the ABS Alex Ewing Theater. Seating is limited to 4 tickets per graduate.
Around Town
FUSE Makers Market: an outdoor event celebrating community, culture, and joy!
Saturday, April 29, 10-5pm
At SECCA in Winston-Salem.
42 Artists representing all types of media, family-friendly animated short films from UNCSA Film students, make-and-take activities with The Art SHAC, plus food, coffee, and Italian Ice trucks - all in a beautiful outdoor setting. Admission is Free.
Songbird Supper Club, a free monthly event to empower women's authentic expression, is having a special Mother and Child event on May 30th. Create something with your child to share for a belated Mother's Day celebration. More information and sign-up at: https://femalesovereignty.org/news
Lyrics by the Lake is back for Season 3 of musical guests, spoken word poetry, and local vendors gathered on the lawn at SECCA. The first concert is May 12; tickets are available now!