The Stewarts Creek High School Band is taking its commitment to musical excellence to new heights with the launch of the Comprehensive Musicianship Program (CMP). Much like the strength and conditioning routines that high school athletes use to improve their individual performance, the band has developed its own "strength and conditioning" regimen to help musicians build skills critical to their craft.
While athletes train their bodies, the band members must train their minds and muscles to perform at the highest level. This program is designed to push each student to refine their technique, raise their individual playing standards, and ultimately enhance the band's overall sound.
Each week, band members will be assigned a series of technical exercises specific to their instrument, which they must complete and submit via video through the Schoology platform by Sunday evening. As with all new programs, their is a learning curve that takes place for students to effectively time manage their practice routines and get over their technological hurdles with their video submissions.
Band members have open band room from 7:45 AM-8:20 AM daily, as well as their ICU period, and can even record afterschool. The band room typically stays open until 5:00 PM on non-ASR days.
These exercises, though short, are no small task. The CMP focuses on creating new neural pathways through mental exercises, building muscular endurance necessary for proper embouchures, improving finger and hand dexterity, and sharpening musical literacy through work in all 12 key centers and rhythmic execution.
Students are also given the flexibility to choose from a range of tempos, ensuring that they can challenge themselves appropriately, with all submissions accompanied by a metronome or click track.
This program not only helps individual students excel but also lifts the entire band’s performance quality. We’re excited to see the growth and results as our students rise to the challenge of the CMP.
For more information about the CMP or any other questions about the Stewarts Creek High School Band program, please email [email protected].