Culture-Driven Music Programs Cultivate Life Skills and Student Success

Key Quotes

"The Saluting America's Band Directors Marching Band, it's founded underneath the Michael Sool Foundation at Pickerington, Ohio. Basically, in memory of the longtime Pickerington band director, Michael Sool. And so the Band Directors Marching Band was created to honor and recognize band directors on a national level, and their motto is basically, 'We teach music, we teach life,' which, you know, as directors, that's our motto to live by."

Stephanie Aarons-Dennison explains the origin and purpose of the Saluting America's Band Directors Marching Band. This quote highlights the foundation's mission to honor band directors and underscores the shared motto of teaching both music and life skills, which Aarons-Dennison identifies as a core principle for educators.

"And so the Band Directors Marching Band was created to honor and recognize band directors on a national level, and their motto is basically, 'We teach music, we teach life,' which, you know, as directors, that's our motto to live by."

Stephanie Aarons-Dennison emphasizes that the band directors' marching band was established to acknowledge band directors nationally. She connects this to their guiding motto, "We teach music, we teach life," framing it as a fundamental principle that educators strive to embody in their practice.

"I think some of the challenges, you know, is meeting the ability of students from, you know, like that beginner band. I try to prepare them to where they, when they, if they transfer in to our next bands, that they are at that freshman level ability of being able to keep up. And for me, it's challenged me to actually, you know, we spend so much time behind the baton that we forget to play like our own instrument and keep up with our instruments. But also with that beginning band, it has challenged me to be able to play all the instruments, which I think is very important, especially if you are a beginning band, middle school director."

Stephanie Aarons-Dennison discusses the challenges of teaching beginner bands in a small school setting. She explains that this has pushed her to maintain her own instrumental skills and to be proficient on all instruments, which she considers crucial for directors of beginner and middle school bands.

"I think some of the biggest things make you successful. What is your culture for success in terms of building a program? Oh man, I know I like big questions. Makes you think a lot, which, you know, critical thinking is a big thing in music too. Such a terrible thing. I think even though that we're a small program, you know, you're still able to give your students, uh, what's the word, uh, trying to take them out and experience like other things. Like, you know, my, we've performed in the Sugar Bowl, like introduced them to going outside of the state. Even though you're a small band, you're still able to do things like honor band."

Stephanie Aarons-Dennison reflects on the keys to building a successful music program, even within a small school. She highlights the importance of critical thinking and providing students with diverse experiences, such as performing in the Sugar Bowl and participating in honor bands, to broaden their horizons.

"Well, I think, you know, communication is the biggest thing in a relationship, uh, with your students. You know, we can communicate so many platforms too, but, you know, somewhere is going to get lost, but at least we can say like, 'Hey, it was communicated. They're here. Should you check this? Um, here are the people to check in with.' But, you know, I think communication is that biggest part of what are we doing to communicate with our students? You know, I do a monthly newsletter to recap on what happened and this past month or what's coming up. Communicate through our apps, communicate through our social media platforms, so information is being given out through many different platforms."

Stephanie Aarons-Dennison emphasizes the paramount importance of communication in building relationships with students. She outlines her multi-platform approach, including monthly newsletters, apps, and social media, to ensure information is disseminated effectively, acknowledging that some messages may still get lost despite these efforts.

"I think even though that we're a small program, you know, you're still able to give your students, uh, what's the word, uh, trying to take them out and experience like other things. Like, you know, my, we've performed in the Sugar Bowl, like introduced them to going outside of the state. Even though you're a small band, you're still able to do things like honor band. My jazz band has actually taken a big hit, and I will admit that jazz is not my like forte, and I'm so surprised at where my jazz band has taken off. I have so many students that are more interested in jazz, but, you know, I think having a jazz band is what is kind of the secret sauce that has made our program, like, well, made my students better readers because jazz music is going to challenge them, and my students enjoy playing the jazz music."

Stephanie Aarons-Dennison discusses how, despite being a small program, she prioritizes providing students with enriching experiences beyond the local area, such as performing in the Sugar Bowl and participating in honor bands. She also notes the unexpected success and positive impact of her jazz band, which has become a key element in improving her students' reading skills and overall engagement.