At one school in central Newfoundland, chances are more than decent that any given high school student is going to be in an upcoming band performance.
That’s because at Lewisporte Collegiate, almost half of the students are in the school band — and it might be because of their band director.
Adam Baxter is the band director for students in Grade 7 and up in Lewisporte, and students who start a band with him in Grade 7 usually stick with him until they graduate.
The school has 250 high school students, and 120 of them are in band.
With that size of a band, Baxter cannot often teach the whole ensemble at once. Instead, he works with three groups of students whom he sees three to four times a week.
“The crazy thing is it’s almost like I have to teach anywhere from 8 to 12 different instruments at the same time,” said Baxter.
“So sometimes it requires a lot of patience for the students.”
Teaching large groups of students how to play different instruments is a skill Baxter has honed over his 10 years of experience.
“I’ll be working with, like, a group of flutes, and in order for that to be effective, I need everybody around in these big groups to just like kind of hush it out … Let’s listen to it and not make any noise,” said Baxter, who tries to use the full group when he can.
“I don’t want to have many people feel that they’re not being engaged.”
Baxter’s goal is to create a learning environment that is different from their other classes. He wants students to come together as a team to make the best music that they can.
“We’re building a culture here,” said Baxter. “It’s not like we’re not sitting and doing anything with books. We’re not writing tests, we’re not doing anything crazy. We just come together, we play music.”
Krista Freake, who has been principal at Lewisporte Collegiate for 15 years, said even though sometimes it’s difficult to fit band into the school schedule, she sees the positive impact it has had on students.
She said it’s a priority to make sure all students have the opportunity to participate in music.
“When you see the value and see the importance of music and the impact on the growth of young people and on other academics,” said Freake.
Great teacher, great band
For students, the band offers many great opportunities.
Grade 10 student Cooper Grimes, who plays the trumpet in the concert and jazz band and is in the school’s choir, said the school’s musical groups are great for building teamwork.
“The entire band needs to work together to make the piece sound right. And you can apply that to just other things outside of just music,” said Grimes.
Grade 12 student Joshua Pope has been playing percussion since Grade 7, and he has made a lot of friends through the school band.
“It’s a good way to bond with people, being part of a big band like that,” he said. “You’ve got to learn co-ordination and teamwork, and if someone’s lacking behind in a certain part, well, you could go back and help them.”
Lewisporte Collegiate has 250 high school students, and 120 of them are in band. The CBC’s Melissa Tobin talked to students and beans director, Adam Baxter, about why it’s the activity of choice.
While there have been times when Pope said he had been frustrated and wanted to quit music, he said, Baxter was the reason he stuck with it.
“[He’s] the reason that I’m so into music,” said Pope, “because he’s always been engaged, he always talks to you, and he always makes sure you get it.”
Student Jace Jennings said that while some other students might not think band is cool, it’s a great stress relief.
“It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done,” said Jennings. “Music has always been an escape for me for multiple reasons.”
And Jennings said the reason students love band is because of the teacher.
“Mr. Baxter is one of the best role models for all the students here in Lewisporte Collegiate and I wouldn’t be able to do it without him.”
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