OUR APPROACH:
FOCUSED ON MUSIC TECHNOLOGY & MODERN BAND.
“Modern Band is a new school based music program that utilizes popular music as its central canon. Modern band teaches students to perform the music they know and love and to compose and improvise. Styles that are studied include rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, electronic dance music, and other contemporary styles as they emerge. Modern Band also utilizes (but is not limited to) the musical instruments that are common to these genres: guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice and technology.”
- Little Kids Rock
WHY MUSIC TECHNOLOGY & MODERN BAND?
DIVERSITY DRIVEN
Many concert bands, orchestras and choirs promote repertoire and musical skills strongly associated with White European traditions and experience disproportionately low participation rates among students of color. By performing music that is popular among student populations on instruments that are authentic to their style, these programs appeal to a group more representative of the overall school-age population in the United States.
BREAKING BARRIERS
Time, interest in music styles, and perceived lack of ability are among the most common reasons for not joining existing school music ensembles or for leaving them. We work with schools & young individuals to provide technology, instruments and educational assets directly engineered to combat these barriers grow interest in music among all.
BEGINNERS WELCOME
A recent study shows the number one reason students, grades 9-11, weren’t interested in music was due to their “skills in the musical category were not up to band standards.” While most schools only offer traditional band & orchestra, we are providing new methods to comprehend, perform, and connect with music, we are offering a number of routes for all skill levels to get involved. Further, studies have shown that modern band does support orchestra participation.
“Teens long for more variety and options for making music in school, including the expansion to instruments and technology used in popular music.”
The Impact of Music on the Lives of Children and Adolescents - National Association of Music Merchants/NAMM