Communities: Salem, Nashville, Huntingburg
Launched: 3 side-by-side rehearsals, 3 masterclasses, 3 performances
Engaged: 240 high school students
Involved: 115 JSoM students, 2 JSoM faculty
Summary
The IU Band Outreach Project brought two of the largest and most notable ensembles from the Jacobs School of Music, the IU Concert Band and the IU Symphonic Band, to local high schools in Salem, Nashville and Huntingburg, Indiana. Most Jacobs students involved in this project were not too far in age from the high school students themselves, which made for relaxed and highly collaborative masterclass sessions. High school musicians connected with collegiate ones who played the same instrument, and high schoolers were additionally challenged in rehearsals by faculty band directors Eric Smedley and Jason Nam. These visits all finished with top-notch performances by the IU bands, made more impactful by the newly crafted student relationships.
“A grand experience. They left inspired. You gave them new dreams to dream.”
– Bonnie Harmon, Salem Middle School Band Director
Masterclasses with JSoM Faculty
The Jacobs ensemble kicked off their program with Richard Wagner’s “Homage March,” a breezy military work with lush low-brass counterpoint. Between pieces, Dr. Eric Smedley faced the young audience to offer tips on what to listen for.
Side-by-Side Student Clinics
After the band’s presentation, high school students paired off with members of the IU Band according to their instrument, seated next to them for advice. They smiled, asked names, shook hands, and the IU students shared stories of their own 8th grade and high school years.
More about the Band Outreach Project:
- IDS News, 10/22/2019, IU Center for Rural Engagement wins national award, Eric Smedley interviewed.
- News at IU Bloomington, 10/16/2019, Center for Rural engagement’s emerging model for arts and cultural partnerships.
- Emily Jones, 03/01/2019, Salem Middle School welcomes IU Symphonic Band for Concert Program, Side-by-Side Clinic.
- The Salem Leader, 02/12/2019, IU Symphonic Band to perform on Thursday.