A Word on 4th Grade Band
With the merge into Region 20 on the horizon, there will be changes to the elementary band program in Region 6 and Litchfield this year. In order to set students up for sustained success, we will be starting students in the Region 20 Band Program when they arrive at the Middle School in 6th grade starting in the 2024-25 school year. This model will allow there to be a dedicated teacher permanently stationed in the middle school for that all-important first year of instruction, as opposed to the current model which has one teacher traveling between multiple elementary schools throughout the week. Based on current research, there is no statistically significant difference in the development of band students by the time they reach high school whether they start in 6th grade, as opposed to 4th or 5th grade, and the rate of attrition should decrease when students have the same instructor for their first 3 years (6-8th grade).
As a result of this transition, the current 5th grade class will continue with their band instruction this year before becoming the first 6th grade class at Region 20 Middle School next fall. However, the current 4th grade class will not start on band instruments this year since there will be no band instruction for 5th graders in 2024-25. The current 4th grade class will start with their first year in the band program in 2025-26, when they are 6th graders at Region 20 Middle School.
While we understand that the delay in starting on an instrument at school will be disappointing for some students, this shift in program model will provide a better instruction and an improved experience for your children throughout middle and high school, and gives them the best opportunity to have long term success on their instrument.
Please reach out to me or our middle school and high school band director, Dan Porri ([email protected]) with any questions.
As a result of this transition, the current 5th grade class will continue with their band instruction this year before becoming the first 6th grade class at Region 20 Middle School next fall. However, the current 4th grade class will not start on band instruments this year since there will be no band instruction for 5th graders in 2024-25. The current 4th grade class will start with their first year in the band program in 2025-26, when they are 6th graders at Region 20 Middle School.
While we understand that the delay in starting on an instrument at school will be disappointing for some students, this shift in program model will provide a better instruction and an improved experience for your children throughout middle and high school, and gives them the best opportunity to have long term success on their instrument.
Please reach out to me or our middle school and high school band director, Dan Porri ([email protected]) with any questions.