Page 8 - Info Magazine nr 15 JANUARY 2021

An Interview with a Class Band Teacher!

Teacher's name: Ruth Knight
Name Country: Norway
Name city: Porsgrunn
Name School: Brattås skole

Why are you a Yamaha class band teacher?

Despite Norway having a strong tradition and culture for concert bands, the number of children
learning to play wind instruments is declining. I want to give children the experience of learning
to play in wind band, as well as the feeling of ownership of their instrument.

How old are the students you work with in your Yamaha class band?

9-10 years old.

How is your Yamaha class band classified in the school?

This is only my second year of teaching YCB, so I haven’t landed on a “permanent” way of doing
things yet. Currently, pupils have one year of YCB teaching instead of their usual music lessons
when they are in Year 5. I am only able to have a YCB due to the support of the local children’s
band, who loan the school all the instruments needed. After their year of YCB is finished, children
are invited to continue playing in the local band. We currently have flutes, clarinets, saxophones,
cornets, trombones, and baritones available for the pupils. Many of the children take their instru-
ments home every week and are diligent when it comes to practicing in-between rehearsals.

How is your class structured?

I always start with some warm-ups, both breathing and long notes. Then the class plays through
some rhythm training videos. Afterwards we focus on repertoire, starting with work-in-progress
pieces and ending with completely new pieces. At the end of the lesson, we often have some solo
volunteers perform for the class. This is the part of the lesson many of the pupils enjoy most.

Brattås skole