The DAC Band program is open to all students interested in learning about the world of music through participation in a concert band. Students in grades four through eight at St. Patrick are invited to explore different musical styles while receiving musical instruction on a concert band instrument of their choice. The band program is always open to new students and we encourage you to learn more about it from their website at dacband.org . Please feel free to contact St Patrick staff with any questions you may have and they’ll be sure to get your questions answered.
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
The DAC Band Program is set up to give students the best of both worlds in music instruction. Small group lessons made up of students of like instruments and ability levels are given to all members of the program. These music lessons take place once a week. In addition to this, all band members attend a weekly rehearsal with other students at their musical level. In this way, each student receives the hands-on individual music instruction in their lessons and is able to put this instruction “into play” at a rehearsal with other students. It allows for a full band experience with emphasis on the individual student.
Lessons for home and public school students in the Chesterton area are held at St. Patrick School in Chesterton and are currently scheduled for Tuesday evenings.
(Schedules are available at dacband.org)
A QUICK NOTE ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BAND PROGRAM
It is the goal of the DAC band program to represent itself through excellence in performance and respect for ourselves and others. This excellence can only be attained through discipline, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and pride. Respect and courtesy for others shows in our ability to work together and our encouragement of each other in our progress. Each student learns to respect hard work and dedication through their own musical journey and that of their fellow musicians. Success as a group and as individuals is based on our willingness and determination to work to the best of our ability. Also important to the program is for students to develop a sense of responsibility to themselves and their fellow band members. This responsibility is not only concerned with music – it represents itself in a feeling of obligation, loyalty and whole-hearted participation in the band.