Band brings more than music to Jeannette students' lives

There are lots of reasons that kids choose to pick up an instrument, but the benefits they receive far outweigh the ability to play a tune.

Carla DellaPenna, who has taught music at Jeannette McKee Middle School for 28 years, said students learn to work and cooperate in a large group setting and it instills patience and persistence in learning.

There are 68 band members in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades this year.

“Middle-school students are full of energy and enthusiasm for life,” said DellaPenna. “It is my hope that each student develops a lifelong appreciation for good music as a performer and an audience member.”

Logan Harshell, an eighth-grader, plays the saxophone and said he likes music and rhythm. He chose the sax “because it sounds cool.” The sax was the instrument he enjoyed the most when he attended the elementary school's annual event that gives kids a chance to try out every instrument before settling on one to learn.

Harshell said he likes the band because the environment is a happy one.

“The students enjoy performing challenging music and developing an excellent sound in the ensemble,” said DellaPenna. “They enjoy learning music of different styles and time periods.

“There are so many genres of music to explore.”

Jenna Painter, an eighth-grader who plays the trombone, wanted to be involved in the band because she wants to become a musician when she grows up.

“I want to be a singer and learn the acoustic guitar. It's what I want to do. It's artistic and it's a good talent to have,” said Painter.

She picked the trombone because her older brother, Chad Painter, a recent Jeannette grad, played the instrument and piqued her interest.

Hailey Kulha, an eighth-grader who plays clarinet, likes how many friends she's made through her association with band. She picked the clarinet because her grandfather played the instrument when he was younger.

Abby Mortimore, an eighth-grader, plays clarinet because a family friend had a clarinet to give her.

“(Band) gives me a place to be myself,” said Mortimore. “It lets you express who you are when people enjoy the same thing you do. You meet people you wouldn't ordinarily be friends with.”

Alexie Shaw, an eighth-grader, plays clarinet because “it's different from the other instruments and it's difficult to learn. It gives me something to do in my free time. If you're stressed out, it relaxes you.”

Gina Machado, an eighth-grader, plays the trumpet “because I love music.” She chose the trumpet specifically because her cousin played it. She most enjoys playing the song “Happy.”

Many of the eighth-graders in band also participate in marching band and jazz band.

“You get to go to all the games your parents wouldn't want to take you to,” said Kulha. “We have a lot of fun at practice and carry on.”

Painter likes that marching band gives her a chance to meet high school students while she's still in middle school.

Shaw likes jazz band because she plays the tenor saxophone instead of her usual clarinet, so she gets to learn a new instrument. Likewise, Mortimore plays the piano instead of clarinet and said, “learning a different instrument helps me with my normal instrument.”

Harshell likes the different rhythm involved in jazz music and that there is an opportunity to perform as a soloist.

Overall, Shaw said being in band helps her with her school work and keeps her focused.

“It gives you something to be involved in,” said Painter. “Families without a lot of money can still do it.”

“Participating in music classes helps students ... to become independent learners of their instrument (including the voice),” said DellaPenna.

“(It also helps students) to recognize that consistent practice improves technical skills.”

DellaPenna is Painter's favorite teacher because “she's really cool in band and she's like a friend to most people.”

Mortimore agrees and said, “She creates a family with us. She forms relationships with the kids. She's the first person I think of, as a teacher, to talk to.”

DellaPenna hopes that her students learn to appreciate that “the beauty of music is that all people, young and old, can learn and participate in music throughout their entire life.”

The middle school band and chorus concert will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at McKee K-8.

Kristie Linden is an editor for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at klinden@tribweb.com or 724-838-5154.