Sebastian Sandoval and Ethan Daley, two sixth graders, are hard at work practicing for the band concert scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in the gymnasium. Both play the alto saxophone.

Band teacher Marisa Iessi started a new program: after school band practice. According to Ms. Iezzi, ”I started having these after school rehearsals so that my students would have more opportunities to practice. Lots of our students find it difficult to find time in their homes to practice, especially after sports and other events. This makes it so that I can help them and also they have more opportunities to play their instruments. Also, they get ahead a little bit of some of the rest of their classes or they’re catching up with their classes.”

Sandovel and Daley recently practiced “Careless Whisper” and “Bermuda Triangle” songs they are playing in the upcoming concert.. They enjoy the new after-school band program because they get to practice new songs, enjoy themselves and get better at their instrument.

 “I like the after-school band because it allows me to be more advanced than my classmates,”Sebastian said. 

The second semester marked the start of this program on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. First, the musicians do a group warm up. Then at 4:30 they practice independently. After that, they practice their music for the concert. Usually there are 5 to 6 people in a room. On Wednesdays Ms.Iessi takes seven and eighth graders. On Thursdays Ms.Iezzi  takes sixth and seventh graders. Ms.Iezzi stated, “Yes, it did impact the students because it gives them more time to practice.”

In regular band class there are around 120 students compared to around five students a day for the new after school program. This program is free to everyone in band. You only have to have your mom to tell Ms.Iezzi you’re staying. 

 The instruments that are available are percussion, also known as drums. Also, brass instruments like trumpets, tubas, French horns, and trombones. Not only that, but woodwind instruments also known as piccolo, oboe, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon. This shows the varieties of instruments you can choose from in band.

Crosby Bennett, a fifth grader declared, “ I like this program because it gives me more time to practice and there is a smaller class which allows us to be more focussed.” This shows the benefits of this program. 

This is the new after school band program, it’s a great extracurricular activity that allows students to have extra time to practice their instruments and prepare for the band concert.