For a handful of students at Washington Middle School 1st block is band. Our students start class by warming up their instruments, including 8th grader Scarlet Corey, who joined to spend more time with her older sibling.
“My big brother was playing in fifth grade,” the student reflects. “I'm like, Oh, I can play with him, too.”
Corey decided to honor her dad by choosing to play the Trumpet like her father when he was in band class. Meanwhile, fellow 8th-grade student Jasmine Morgret selected the Flute as her instrument. She’s also following in her family’s footsteps.
“My older sister started playing the flute for band class in fourth grade,” the Morgret explains. “My mom also played in the band in high school.”
These musicians are getting ready for the Spring Concert. They’re putting hours of work into practice so they can be ready to perform.
Scarlet Corey
Spencer Cross
Jace Hewlett
Kaedance Imhoff
Jasmine Morgret
Eliza Pinkston
Morgret’s biggest challenge is hitting high notes on the Flute, but Corey believes low notes on the Trumpet are difficult.
“There's a certain position of your lips you have to do,” she says. “It's hard to explain, but it depends on how your lips are; you got to make it tight.”
Right now, the band is rehearsing several songs, including ‘Union March,’ ‘Thunder March,’ ‘Cantina Band,’ ‘Paint it Black,’ and ‘The Avengers.’ Students have their favorite song for different reasons.
“One of our newer songs that we're learning is Cantina Band,” Morgret quips. “It's from Star Wars, and I like the melody of it. It's really nice, and it just flows. It's really cool.”
Dr. Michael Smith is one of the music teachers at the middle school. He came out of retirement in 2022 to help rebuild the school district’s music program and believes that playing these songs would have been more of a challenge just a few years ago.
“It’s a lot more than single notes and ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,’” he says. “The progress these students have made is really great.”
The school district and school board members have invested in the music program, providing instruments at a low-cost rental fee for students.
“At least 60% of the students in band class would not be playing if it were not for the generosity of the school board and the school district here,” Dr. Smith explains. “Supplying instruments at a much-reduced cost for those students has really helped the program grow.”
The school district also hired a full-time music teacher, Ms. Alexis Ligons, who began in the Fall 2023. She instructs classes at Lincoln Elementary School, Washington Middle School, and Johnston City High School.
With support from the district as well as guidance from Dr. Smith and Ms. Ligons, students are going into 5th-grade band more prepared. Now, these young musicians know basic rhythms, how to read sheet music, and correct finger placement.
However, Dr. Smith believes music goes beyond playing an instrument. It makes students well-rounded people by learning about other school subjects.
“There’s nothing more engaging or hands-on,” he says. “They’re applying Math, English, History and Art – all at the same time.”
Also, teaching band students values like hard work, dedication, teamwork, and friendship. Something band members feel when they walk through the door. Both Corey and Morgret say their favorite part of the class is being able to play music with their friends.
For Mr. Smith, though, this class means something more, “I just showed up to help out, and now we’ve become a family. Now, it’s more than that.”
The Spring Concert is taking place at the high school. The event has a tentative date set for May 1st at 7 p.m. Performances will include Lincoln Elementary students on the Recorder, WMS/JCHS band, and WMS/JCHS choir.