Monday, April 3, 2023
Band Karate: How to Kick-Start Your Beginners
An Interview with John Welter
by Rob Goade
Educational Representative, PMC Liberty
As I travel and visit schools across north Missouri, I am finding more and more directors who are dealing with challenging schedules for their beginning band classes. Many of these directors, especially in smaller schools, only see students once a week, and some for shortened class periods. In many of these smaller schools they must have these students prepared to participate in the "High School" band as 7th or 8th graders. I recently did an interview with John Welter, one of the outstanding directors in our area, to discuss how he has addressed this challenge with his band award program "Band Karate". Even if you are not facing this kind of scheduling issue with your beginners, this may be what you're looking for to motivate your beginning and second year students.
John, I know that your high school band has 7th-12th grade students. How many students do you currently have in high school band?
We currently have 68 students enrolled, representing 64% of the student body.
How many students do you have in 5th grade band? Sixth grade band?
Due to the elimination of the vocal position, all 5th and 6th graders are enrolled in elementary band. I have 21 in 5th and 28 in 6th.
What is your class schedule for these 1st and 2nd year students?
I see each class individually once a week for 50 minutes.
How long have you had this schedule issue?
The reduction of time from 4 times a week for a total of 200 minutes to once a week for a total of 50 minutes was put in place 10 years ago.
What is the primary challenge you face getting these students ready for your 7-12 grade band?
I have struggled greatly trying to get basic fundamentals in place with this schedule. The students do not retain skills and concepts from week to week. Simple things such as note reading have become a much bigger issue since their daily class time has been taken.
Where did the idea for Band Karate come from?
I had seen a Recorder Karate book used in elementary which allowed for individual assessment and growth. I really liked the idea of having students work not only as a group but move along at their own pace as well. My son David started taking Tae Kwon Do, and I saw the motivation to continually achieve higher belt levels. I adapted the recorder method and my son's martial arts to put in place an assessment and motivation system for the band.
How does Band Karate work?
My system is based upon the band method book which we use in class. I go through the book, looking for skills and concepts which I feel are necessary for success. After deciding on which lines I feel are necessary, I break them into groups of 4, which represents a belt level. The colors I used in my system closely follow the belts used in Tae Kwon Do: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Brown, Red and Black.
How do you feel this band award system has helped with student progress, motivation, and retention?
This system has greatly helped bridge the gap between student success and missing instructional time. I do not require the students to participate, but typically more than half choose to test. I make a huge deal about belt levels at our concerts, usually printing a list showing current levels. When a student earns their black belt, I present an engraved medal at the concert celebrating their work. I am into 3D printing and have a large board in the room with a 3D printed sign. It has their name and instrument for everyone who comes in the class to see. Using this system has greatly helped retention and success through motivation.
Is there anything else you would like to share with directors facing similar schedule issues with their beginning band students?
Your students are worth fighting for. Even though systems like this require additional work, I have found that it leads to better relationships with the students and a sense of loyalty to the band. Try to maintain a positive relationship with your administration. Negativity will not change their minds about the matter. While not ideal, I now get my 5th and 6th graders together on Fridays, which means they at least are touching their instruments twice a week now.
| John Welter is in his 25th year of teaching and 21st at Stewartsville C2. John serves as K-4 Vocal Music teacher, 5-12 Band Director and District Technology Coordinator. Under his direction, the Stewartsville Cardinal Pride Band has performed at MMEA, been named Esprit de Corps Award winner at St. Louis Music in the Parks, as well as consistently earning Superior contest ratings and marching awards. |
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