Welcome to a Parents Guide to Band & Orchestra

It's three o'clock. The front door swings open. A multi-colored blur races down the hall past the living room and jettisons a twenty-seven pound book bag which slams to the floor, landing inches from the dog. The dog yelps, jumps over the sofa and crashes into the wall.

For most parents, it's a typical school day afternoon. This time, however, there's a twist. The blur reaches the kitchen, jerks open the refrigerator door, lifts a milk jug to its lips and yells, "GUESS WHAT? I WANT TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT!"

If you are like most parents, this declaration will generate feelings of joy and panic. Joy because your child wants to participate in something educational, wholesome and fun; panic because you haven't the faintest idea what to do next!

That's what this blog is all about: What to do next.

The purpose of this blog is to provide information and advice for parents so they can involve their child in the wonderful, creative, brain-stimulating world of instrumental music. We'll discuss how school music programs work; choosing an instrument; how you as a parent can help your child - even if you don't have a musical background; and much more.

As a parent (and many parents do not have a musical background) the first thing you need to know is this: Music is not a mystery. Learning to play an instrument is a skill. And skills can be learned. Fairly easily, it turns out.

That's not to say that learning to play an instrument doesn't require work. It does. The secret is in making the "work" fun and providing support for your child when he struggles. And he will struggle. It's all part of learning how to do something new.

As for me, I am a retired music educator with 34 years of classroom teaching experience, mostly in band, but also in general music, orchestra, and choir. In addition to my teaching experience, I also spent 10 years as Music Coordinator for the Kettering (Ohio) City Schools.

I've authored two books for parents on the subject of music. One is titled, "A Parent's Guide to Band and Orchestra," and the other "A Parent's Guide to Teaching Music." I've also written or co-written method and technique books for band and orchestra, as well as numerous magazine articles on choir and music in general.

OK, enough about me. This is about you - and your child - and learning to play an instrument. So, let's get started.

Coming up next: Your Child Can Play An Instrument