Stillwater’s flagship youth band program offers introductory, beginning, intermediate and advanced level classes for all kids ages 6-18. Students will be placed in an appropriate group based on ability, maturity and availability of positions. Our classes often have a wide age group of students.
All students have the opportunity to advance into higher level classes/groups at the director’s discretion. The focus of our group classes is to develop individual students to become better musicians. At the instructor’s discretion, a student may be moved to a different class section in order to provide a constantly challenging music environment for all students.
Our faculty members direct Stillwater bands as one would a professional group: expecting professionalism, while enjoying the process. We teach and implement musical lessons that carry over into daily life: respect, developing self esteem, working together towards a common goal, and learning to follow directions by listening and interacting appropriately with faculty and fellow students.
Our beginning, intermediate and advanced combos meet once or twice a week for experience in a full band with lots of instrumentation choices.
Students who already play an instrument are encouraged to bring their instrument to class. Stillwater instructors arrange songs to fit the students and instrumentation in each class. Many instruments are provided for in-class rehearsals including marimba, electric piano keyboards, steel drums, acoustic & electric guitar, electric bass, drum kit. Students are also encouraged and offered opportunities to sing.