The Kids' Band
A couple of months ago my son and his friend began jamming togehter. My son plays electric guitar and his friend plays the drums. Both had just begun learning the instruments they play. Soon they announced they had formed a band, with just two members, them. My wife and I smiled when we heard of it. We thought it was cute. They were trying to play some of the songs both of them knew. They were hardly synchronized and it almost appeared like each was playing on his own. After a couple of sessions they seemed to improve. They were better coordinated and each had developed greater mastery over their instruments.
Then word got out about the band. My son mentioned it to his friend from school. His friend told his parents, who asked if the band would be interested in performing at their daughter's sweet sixteen birthday party. My son's friend joined in as a second guitarist. They recruited the birthday girl's friend as a vocalist and another family friend to play the keyboard. Low and behold they seemed to have a complete band!
The opportunity to play in front of a real audience truly galvanized the band. It gave them a clear goal and focus. They sought guidance from a family friend who is part of a professional band. One day he spent five hours with the kids and the band was substantially transformed. What a difference a little guidance made! He became their mentor and continued to guide them.
After several practice sessions came the big day. The kids were nervous but excited. They played well and the audience loved it! Some young kids from the audience sought their autographs after the performance. The kids had turned into stars!
Emboldened by their birthday performance my son and his friend decided to perform at a community function in front of an audience of over 300 people in a formal auditorium and on stage. They practised frequently and developed their own composition for the event. Again, the performance was a big hit.
It was amazing to see this informal band transform into a pretty serious affair in less than six months. Recently we heard of a competition called Batlle Of The Bands organized by a local high school. Our kids decide to participate and approached the organizers. Upong learning that most of the band participants were middle school kids the organizers expressed doubt about their participation in this compitition meant for High School kids. Besides, the kids were not ablt to go for auditioning due to schedule conflicts. However, upon viewing the DVD of the band's birthday performance, the competition organizers not only waived the audition but moved the band straight to the finals!
The band experience is helping the kids develop several life skills. They are learning teamwork, how they have to sometimes sarifice their personal desires for the good of the group, how to work hard to achieve a goal, how to keep focus, how to plan, how to handle disappointment, and most of all to have fun! It also gives them self confidence and a sense of achivement and purpose.
When I heard the kids play at their practice session yesterday I was truly amazed. If you did not actually see them, you would think it was a professional band playing. They are that good.
Then word got out about the band. My son mentioned it to his friend from school. His friend told his parents, who asked if the band would be interested in performing at their daughter's sweet sixteen birthday party. My son's friend joined in as a second guitarist. They recruited the birthday girl's friend as a vocalist and another family friend to play the keyboard. Low and behold they seemed to have a complete band!
The opportunity to play in front of a real audience truly galvanized the band. It gave them a clear goal and focus. They sought guidance from a family friend who is part of a professional band. One day he spent five hours with the kids and the band was substantially transformed. What a difference a little guidance made! He became their mentor and continued to guide them.
After several practice sessions came the big day. The kids were nervous but excited. They played well and the audience loved it! Some young kids from the audience sought their autographs after the performance. The kids had turned into stars!
Emboldened by their birthday performance my son and his friend decided to perform at a community function in front of an audience of over 300 people in a formal auditorium and on stage. They practised frequently and developed their own composition for the event. Again, the performance was a big hit.
It was amazing to see this informal band transform into a pretty serious affair in less than six months. Recently we heard of a competition called Batlle Of The Bands organized by a local high school. Our kids decide to participate and approached the organizers. Upong learning that most of the band participants were middle school kids the organizers expressed doubt about their participation in this compitition meant for High School kids. Besides, the kids were not ablt to go for auditioning due to schedule conflicts. However, upon viewing the DVD of the band's birthday performance, the competition organizers not only waived the audition but moved the band straight to the finals!
The band experience is helping the kids develop several life skills. They are learning teamwork, how they have to sometimes sarifice their personal desires for the good of the group, how to work hard to achieve a goal, how to keep focus, how to plan, how to handle disappointment, and most of all to have fun! It also gives them self confidence and a sense of achivement and purpose.
When I heard the kids play at their practice session yesterday I was truly amazed. If you did not actually see them, you would think it was a professional band playing. They are that good.
posted by Anil | 10:26 AM
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