Middle School Students Elevate Their Musical Journey at ISG Jubail

A new musical chapter is taking shape for our middle school students as they receive their band instruments and build on the knowledge and skills they developed in elementary school. After spending time learning about music and developing their musical abilities, students are now taking those foundations further as they explore what it means to play in a band at ISG Jubail.

As part of their middle school experience, students spend a year exploring both visual arts and band, giving them time to discover the creative interests that speak to them before choosing the subject they would like to continue with in the following grade. It is an opportunity to try something new and discover a passion they may not have known was there.

With their instruments now in hand, students worked alongside their teacher, Kris Hammer, to learn how to assemble their instruments and get started with the basics. There was plenty of learning happening as students became familiar with their instruments, asked questions and began understanding how their individual parts contribute to making music.

For some students, the experience is an entirely new adventure. One student shared enthusiastically, “I have never played an instrument before. I get to learn a new skill and it’s very exciting. I love music.”

Another student discovered that percussion offers its own unique kind of challenge and excitement, sharing that it is “really fun because of the specific way you have to perform and play different instruments.” She also enjoyed learning the different patterns and rhythms involved in playing percussion.

Receiving their instruments made the learning feel especially real. Students could hold the instruments they will spend the year getting to know, while beginning to imagine what they might eventually be able to play.

For our middle students, band is a chance to explore creativity together while students discover their own interests and strengths. As they continue learning and growing as musicians, we look forward to seeing how our students develop their own sound and come together as a band. We cannot wait to see them perform individually and together at our upcoming annual winter and spring concerts, where they will have the chance to share what they have been learning with our community.