Page 12 - Info Magazine nr 17 april may 2021

Stories from the Class Band in Erps-Kwerps (B)

One of the students is Thor.
Thor is now 11 years old. He is a very good and motivated stu-
dent of our first wind class. This first wind class was started 3
years ago. He can already get a lot of music out of his trumpet.
He will also volunteer to help the trumpeters of our other brand
new wind class.
Thor tells ...
I started playing in the fourth year and am now in the sixth
year.
I chose trumpet because that instrument suits me.
I don't play any other instrument.
I like to play with my friends.
I play at home every two days.
I never play with others outside of class.
I am only at home and nobody in my family plays an instru-
ment.
I like jazz.
I can play songs alone on my trumpet.
I like the lessons in groups with friends.
I would like to play another song on stage.

An Interview with a Class Band Teacher!

Name of teacher: Sophie Coosemans How old are the students you work with in
Name country: Belgium your Yamaha class band?
Name of town: Erps-Kwerps - Fourth grade (9-10 years old)
Name of school: Mater Dei - Sixth grade (11-12 years)
How is your Yamaha class orchestra arranged
Why do you teach Yamaha Class Band? in the school?

Music is my passion and it gives me great By grade, the starting group from the fourth
satisfaction to pass this passion on and to see grade and a second group from the sixth gra-
that the students learn and enjoy music, learn- de.
ing to play an instrument and making music in
a group. I myself started piano lessons when I
was 6 years old, and a year later I started with How is your class band structured?

trumpet. At the age of 15, I chose to study mu- The group is structured by instrument group
sic and continue my studies, in order to teach with arrangement like a harmony -
myself. In the meantime, I have had various Flutes on the first row, then clarinets & saxop-
experiences, from individual instrument les- hones, on the last row the trumpets & trom-
sons, conducting youth choirs/youth orchestra bones.
to initiation to toddlers from the age of 3.
When Joris asked me if I would like to partici-
pate in the wind class, I did not hesitate for a Which method do you use and how do you
moment. Music is an added value in the deve- apply it?

lopment of a child and I think it is fantastic if I We follow the method Essential Elements.
can contribute to this experience and make it We always start with a warm up, usually I start
as positive as possible. with the Daily Warm Ups, but at the moment