IDEA Donna Titan Marching BandStudent Perspectives State Farm YAB Service-Learning
1)Why did you join band at IDEA Donna?
“To cultivate my musical abilities in the company of peers and mentors with the same pursuit.”- Earl Novilla, 10th grade, Percussion
“I joined because I want to expand my knowledge of music and to grow as a person.”-John Garza
“I joined band for the experience and because it’s an opportunity to do something different and fun as well as challenging.”-Myriam Moreno, 8th grade, Violin and Flute
“Band programs looked like fun and to be the “pioneers” of the Idea Public Schools at Donna was a milestone.”-Eduardo Garcia, 8th grade, Violin, Alto, Sax, and Tenor Sax
2)Do you want to join band in college? Why or why not?
“Yes, I have learned a great deal in band and my love for playing music will not fade away.” -Jose Cardona, 10th grade, Percussion
“I will definitely join a band in college because music, and more specifically performing music, is important to me.”- John Garza
“I do because that’s probably the only way I’ll get into college. I’ll need lots of scholarships and I like music. It’ll be something I look forward to.”-Victoria Vasquez, 9th grade, Trumpet and Violin
“If it benefits me then yes but I plan to be a neurologist and that’s my main focus.”- Louie Reyes, 8th grade, Snare, Base, Xylophone, and Quints
“I would love to join band in college, mostly because I love music. But I also like that band members act like family.”- KaysieOzuna, 8th grade, Bells andCymbals
“Honestly, I don’t because I prefer focus on my studies, but I’m not saying I will stop playing my instrument.”- Mitzi Trevino, 7th grade, Flute
“Yes, I would like to join band in college because I might want to be a band teacher when I finish.”-Felipe Adriano, 6th grade, Percussion
“Yes because band makes me calm down when I am mad.”-Amy Garcia, 6th grade, Flute
3)What is your favorite part of being on band at IDEA Donna?
“My favorite part of being on band is that I get to see new places and when I participate in upcoming parades, my friends and I meet new people that are from different schools, which most of the time improves my social skills.”-Monica Guadalupe de Leon, 10th grade, Instrument: Clarinet
“My favorite part is having the chance to perform in front of people. You are open to more choices and become socially aware of what surrounds you.”- KatarynaPina, 8th grade, Violin and Percussion
“I think we have a fun selection at IDEA Donna our drum line is like a family because we have known each other since first grade.”-Brianna Tovar, 8th grade, Violin, Aux, Xylophone, Bass, and Snare
“My favorite part of band is that I can interact with people from other grades and sometimes other schools.” -Samantha Betancourt, 7th grade, Clarinet
“My favorite part is that I am able to show people how much I care about being in band, and I also like that if you need help on a note the band members/band teacher are there to help you. And, I can show people even though I am the only girl in percussion, I still be treated like the rest.”-EstrellaCienFuegos, 6th grade, Percussion
“Getting to play an instrument is just the best, the instrument lets me escape reality for a moment deep in a calming trance.”-Alain Garcia, 6th grade, Flute
4)Do you believe band plays an important role in the community? Why or why not?
“Yes, music serves as an apparatus of expression, and can be manipulated into pride (such as a fight song for school) and happiness, as well as other emotions.”-Earl Novilla, 10th grade, Percussion
“Band, or actually any type of music group, does play an important role in any community because most of the time, it brings people, friends and family to come together instead of many arguments and disagreements. Music warms up any person.” – Monica Guadalupe de Leon, 10th grade, Clarinet
“Band is vital in maintaining a strong and meaningful presence in our school and community. Without Band, our school would be less recognized by the RGV, and would not stand out as much from the other IDEA schools.” –John Garza
“Yes, personally, I believe that the band brings out the “pizazze” of a town/city.”- Joseph Garcia, 9th grade, Saxophone and Electric Bass
“Yes, we provide entertainment and even excitement to people who don’t really have anything else to look forward to.”-Louie Reyes, 8th grade, Snare, Base, Xylophone, and Quints
“I do. Band plays an important part in the overall morale of the community.”-Aaron Jude Garza, 8th grade, Concert and Marching Percussion
“Band adds motivation to our community it is a way to inspire others and prepare us for the challenges ahead. It fills our community with enthusiasm and knowledge of our diverse culture through music.”-Myriam Moreno, 8th grade, Violin and Flute
“Yes I do believe band plays an important role in the community because it teaches respect, patience, and kindness.”- Noah Garcia, 7th grade, Alto Saxophone and Baritone Saxophone
“Yes because band is like a cheerful group of students destined to have fun and play their instrument. For example in parades we do the marching and music playing. We get the people cheered up.”-Abrana Benavides, 6th grade, Flute
5)If there was one thing you could change- add, subtract, or modify- about band at IDEA Donna, what would it be?
“If I could add one thing it would be to supply us with more than one teacher. Normally, there are certain teachers per section. It’s too much for one teacher but she’s been able to handle it.”- KatarynaPina, 8th grade, Violin and Percussion
“I would like the IDEA Donna band to be able to receive more efficient equipment to better our sound and improve on a musical scale.” -Earl Novilla, 10th grade, Percussion
“To play a little bit more challenging music for everybody, so we can all work harder and become better musicians.” –Patricio Oliva, 9th grade, Trumpet, Guitar, and Violin
“Include instruments like the: French Horn, Bass Clarinet, Bass Trombone.”-Joseph Garcia, 9th grade, Saxophone and Electric Bass
“Add more people, stronger sound.”- Fabian Hernandez
“What I would add is harder music.”-EsmereldaOliva, 9th grade, Clarinet
“One thing I would change about band at IDEA Donna would be to add more instruments for more people to join.”- Nestor Cuevas, Clarinet
“I would add a guitar and a string section and more instruments to our small drum line and band.”- Louie Reyes, 8th grade, Snare, Base, Xylophone, and Quints
“I would add more parades or competitions because they are really fun.”-Denise Gonzalez, 8th grade, Percussion
“I would want to add more members but also new instruments for our drum line and maybe a bus that we could all gravel in comfortably without damaging our instruments.”-Myriam Moreno, 8th grade, Violin and Flute
“More instruments for each person. Everyone to be multi-instrumental. People in band should be able to play more than one instrument.”-Mark Salinas, 8th grade, Saxophone
“One thing that could change is probably the variety of instruments. We’d need more people and instruments to sound fuller.” -Gabriela Hernandez, 8th grade, Saxophone, Guitar, Piano, and Vocals
“I would add bass flute.” -GinelloNovilla, 7th grade, Flute
“I wish we would get more challenging and varied music.” --Noah Garcia, 7th grade, Alto Saxophone and Baritone Saxophone
“I would add more instruments. The product sound would be better than it already is.”- Sierra Gaona, 7th grade, Trombone and Tuba
“I would add more snares and bases, for what is some people play great at snare, but there is only 2 snares or 1 base drum.”-EstrellaCienFuegos, 6th,Percussion
“New instruments just new instruments and more students but the same teacher Mrs. Martinez.”-Bryan Escobedo, 6th grade, Percussion
“I would add more students in one class we are only 2 saxophones in mine.”-Daniella Hernandez, 6th grade, Saxophone
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May 2014 Submission