Above: Cleveland band director Erik Hermanson points out keys to sixth grader Anika Sathoff while her classmate Kayla Hoffmann works on her flute skills.
For some budding Clipper musicians, choosing a band instrument comes down to simple logistics.
“They may just play an instrument handed down to them from a parent or older sibling because it was already in their house,” said Cleveland band director Erik Hermanson.
For others, the instrument’s proportions are a major factor. Tubas skew toward bigger kids while flutes and clarinets are usually taken up by those who are slighter.
“The size of the student may affect how well they can hold an instrument correctly,” Hermanson explained.
Still other kids choose an instrument because it was played by someone they admired, or maybe they simply liked how it sounded…or they were beguiled by its bling factor.
“They may have a hero in our pep band or at our concerts who impressed them, and they want to be like them,” Hermanson said. “But anything they like, I can teach them. If they like a certain instrument's sound or even look and it helps them to want to practice, they will be able to play it. I think kids can do anything they set their minds to.”
Early this summer, Cleveland sixth graders chose an instrument and attended Hermanson’s band lessons. They will come together as a sixth-grade band this fall.
It was his 27th year hosting the program.
“I have done summer band lessons every year that I have been here, and they have really helped the program improve. I’m so lucky, thankful and grateful to the administration and school board for helping me make this possible. Our band has such fantastic support here at school and in the community. I am so appreciative of Cleveland.”
Cleveland summer band is not only for beginners but all of high school students too. The first week is for first-year returning students: those going into seventh grade. The second week is for upcoming sixth graders, and then those going into eighth to 12th grade meet for a week and get a “sneak peek” at new music.
“We have had many different structures and schedules over the years, but I think we have it down to a solid formula now,” Hermanson said. “Kids have some crazy busy schedules with sports, camps and family vacations.”
This summer, about a third of the sixth graders attended summer lessons.
“This gave them an awesome intro into what band is like,” Hermanson said. “I hope everyone in the class can join band in the fall.”
But learning an instrument requires practice, and Hermanson would like to dispel the myth that some kids are hard wired to make sweet melodies from the get go.
“They always think that they should be perfect or like the groups they hear play here at CHS. The kids will get frustrated when it doesn’t come easy, but we learn the process, and they will always succeed if they put in the time. People always comment on how musicians are naturally talented or that they have been blessed with skill. Actually playing an instrument well just takes a lot of hard work and dedication.”
But the young musicians show progress quickly, he said, and for him that represents the joy of teaching band.
“The first day it is a struggle to put together the instrument. In five days they can play some great notes.”
The sixth graders will continue with group lessons in the fall with each day Hermanson teaching a different group. When they get through their first lesson book, they will coalesce as the Sixth Grade Band.