In the heart of Litchfield Middle School, a unique band program is striking the right chords, thanks to the efforts of its director, Kelly Taylor. At the helm for six years, Taylor has implemented creative initiatives to foster musical interest and engagement among students in sixth through eighth grade.
The program begins with a distinctive approach in the fifth grade, where Taylor introduces students to various instruments through a quarter-long “band exploration” program. During this time, every student has the opportunity to try their hand at playing the flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone. Taylor’s philosophy is to provide students with an informed choice, ensuring they find an instrument that resonates with them.
“We want to avoid situations where students commit to an instrument hastily, only to realize it’s not the right fit later on,” Taylor said. This approach has led to more informed choices, and we’ve seen significant growth in our sixth-grade band enrollment.”
One key factor contributing to this growth is Taylor’s proactive approach to securing resources. Recognizing the financial constraints some students might face, Taylor pursued grants and partnerships to ensure accessibility for all. Notably, a $10,000 United Way Community Impact grant allowed him to purchase 32 trumpets dedicated solely to the middle school band program.
“I wanted to eliminate barriers to entry. Through strategic grants and collaboration with organizations like Taylor Music – no relation I swear – we’ve been able to not only provide instruments for classroom use but also offer additional instruments for students who may face financial challenges,” he said.
The band director emphasized the inclusivity of the program.
“There is no bench in band,” he said. Regardless of skill level, every student is a valuable part of the ensemble, fostering a sense of belonging and shared achievement.
Students are excited to have a part to play every day.
Richard Nelson, Emily Kruger and Brynna Buck all said learning new notes was one of their favorite parts of band. Their peers Lucy Kadelbach, Adriana Swanson and Anika Gabrielson said they love learning to better play their instruments.
Taylor’s commitment extends beyond the classroom, with plans for an instrument drive to collect unused instruments from the community. The goal is to either place these instruments in the hands of students who can use them or repurpose them for the program’s needs.
“There is no time limit on this,” he said. “If you have an unused instrument, you can drop them off at the school at any time.”
As the band program continues to expand, Taylor reflected on the unique familial atmosphere it creates.
“Band is more than music; it’s a community,” he said. “We’ve become a big family, and seeing students grow from novices to confident musicians is incredibly rewarding.”
