JOINING THE BAND
We always encourage all 6th through 8th graders at Spanish Fort to join the band! Beginning Band is offered during the day to all 6th through 8th grade students. Don't know how to play an instrument, or read music? Not to worry!! We teach you all that you need to know about reading music and learning to play the instrument you choose. Please feel free to contact SFMS with any questions or concerns you may have about our program! See the links below for our Beginning Band Sign Up Form!
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Interesting Facts and Thoughts on Music
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U.S. Department of Education data show that students who report consistently high levels of involvement in instrumental music during the middle- and high-school years show significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12. CATTERALL, J., CHAPLEAU, R., AND IWANAGA, J., "INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT," 1999
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The vast majority—96 percent—of the school principals interviewed in a recent study agree that participation in music education encourages and motivates students to stay in school. Further, 89 percent of principals feel that a high-quality music-education program contributes to their school achieving higher graduation rates. T HARRIS INTERACTIVE POLL, 2006
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"I write to bring to your attention the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines that arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and learning process. US SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN, AUGUST 2009
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With music in schools, students connect to each other better—greater camaraderie, fewer fights, less racism and reduced use of hurtful sarcasm. JENSEN, E., ARTS WITH THE BRAIN IN MIND, ASSOCIATION FOR SUPERVISION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, 2001
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A four-region public school music education study revealed that students in high-quality school music education programs scored higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs. Students in top-quality music programs scored 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent better in mathematics than students in deficient music programs—academic differences were consistent across geographic areas. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION, SPRING 2007
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A 2007 Harris Interactive Poll of working adults indicated that music education impacted five skill areas: ability to work toward common goals, striving for excellence in group settings, disciplined approach to solving problems, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations. HARRIS INTERACTIVE POLL, 2007
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Students indicate that arts participation motivates them to stay in school, and that the arts create a supportive environment that promotes constructive acceptance of criticism and one in which it is safe to take risks.BARRY N., TAYLOR, K. AND WALLS K., CRITICAL LINKS: LEARNING IN THE ARTS AND STUDENT ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AEP, 2002