Getting in gear Green Wave style
Published 12:00 pm Friday, October 18, 2013
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Just four short years ago the Leeds Middle School (LMS) band had just shy of 50 members. Now with enthusiastic band director Adam Truesdale infusing appreciation and a new love for music into band curriculum, that number has grown to 25 percent of the overall LMS student body being in band.
Gearing up to perform at the middle school’s annual Veteran’s Day assembly on November 7th at 9 a.m., these young musicians are excited to show attendees that hard work pays off.
“We’ll play the National Anthem, do an Armed Forces Solute and perform America the Beautiful,” Truesdale said.
Following National Standards Guidelines and Alabama Course of Study as his main teaching tenants, Truesdale also mixes in music that matches a middle schooler’s musical taste.
“The kids are very receptive and get excited about music. I try to keep it interesting by having them learn pieces they like to play and what people want to hear.”
Busy with five different band groups, Truesdale offers Beginner Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Pep Band and Percussion Only.
“They’re learning music appreciation along with what it’s like to be in band as well as what it means to be a musician.”
Truesdale attributes a lot of one-on-one attention and specialized instruction as key elements that have helped elevate the quality of the LMS band program.
Not only are his band students learning the right notes, LMS Band is assisting in expanding the arts at LMS by teaming up with the drama and art departments for Dessert Theatre on November 21st at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $7 and benefit the band, drama and art programs.
Another exciting performance opportunity coming up is the LMS Band Christmas Concert on December 10th.
In an effort to help others in the community, admission to this show is a non-perishable food donation to the Leeds Outreach.
“The Christmas concert is a fun things for parents,” said Truesdale.
Receiving superior ratings at the Music Performance Assessment State Program last March, the LMS Band also takes part in Alabama Band Masters, which evaluates the band’s march, a slow and fast tune and an eight-minute site reading.
“This allows the judges to see that our students are learning the fundamentals and reaffirms what the student has learned.”
They also competed at Six Flags Over Georgia where the LMS Band scored gold in beginners and advanced band.
“We had a really good year last year. So the bar has been raised pretty high.”
After competitions are done it’s back to the band room to sharpen skills and focus on the next level each student would like to take their music to.
Using a program called Smart Music that can be pulled up via a desktop computer, laptop or even iPad, the student’s books are built into the computer where they can play a piece and be graded on it immediately all while Mr. Truesdale’s conducting class.
“It’s a great program. It allows me to see the notes that were played right or wrong and they can even email their work to mom and dad.”
Truesdale added, “I’ve seen lots of benefits. Students are excited about Smart Music because they get to see (and hear) their accomplishments.”
Constantly striving to stay in tune with the community and keep parents informed, Truesdale created the LMS Band website, www.leedsband.weebly.com.
Looking forward to continuing to create a tradition of excellence Truesdale and the LMS Band live by this motto, “Building a reputation not resting on one.”
