CREATING CONNECTIONS THROUGH MUSIC

The Mission of The Access Collective is to cultivate collaboration and deeper understanding of band repertoire  in rehearsals by setting attainable goals, linking essential skills to the repertoire, and fostering connections through music that promote belonging, empathy, and care for all stakeholders, while ensuring access for all and sharing the impact of this learning within the school setting and broader community.

Objectives

  • Set achievable repertoire goals.

    1. Link fundamental skills to the repertoire.

    2. Deepen understanding of the repertoire.

  • Foster connections between the band and the school/community.

    1. Share the repertoire project’s purpose, integration, and impact on learning.

    2. Highlight how musical connections promote belonging, care, and empathy for all stakeholders.

STEPS TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION

1. Collaboration with key groups

    • What it means: Bringing together band students, directors, and music consultants.

    • Visionary step: Build a team that includes teachers, students, and experts to create an

      environment that values everyone’s input.

2. Creating a supportive environment

    • What it means: Fostering a space that upholds an inclusive and equitable environment.

    • Visionary step: Ensure that the environment is safe, inclusive, and respectful, with a focus on

      creating positive, inclusive spaces for learning.

3. Setting achievable repertoire goals

    • What it means: Developing clear, realistic goals for music students to understand and achieve.

    • Visionary step: Focus on realistic, attainable musical milestones that will challenge students

      while remaining within their reach.

4. Linking fundamental skills to the repertoire

    • What it means: Ensuring that basic music skills are directly tied to the repertoire being studied.

    • Visionary step: Make sure students are learning essential music techniques that directly enhance their ability to perform and understand the chosen music.

5. Deepening understanding of the repertoire

    • What it means: Encouraging students to go beyond surface-level knowledge of the music.

    • Visionary step: Push for a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the music they play, allowing students to connect more emotionally and intellectually with the pieces.

6. Fostering connections between the band and the school/community

    • What it means: Strengthening ties between the band and the larger school or local community.

    • Visionary step: Engage in community outreach, performances, or projects that build strong relationships between the band program and the broader school or town.

7. Sharing the repertoire project’s purpose, integration, and impact on learning

    • What it means: Clearly communicating what the project is, how it’s tied into the curriculum, and its effect on student learning.

    • Visionary step: Actively share the project's goals, how it fits into the learning process, and how it impacts student growth with students, parents, and the community.

8. Promoting belonging, care, and empathy through music

    • What it means: Using music as a tool to foster emotional growth and positive connections among students and the broader community.

    • Visionary step: Ensure that the music program encourages feelings of connection, empathy, and care, enriching both the individual student experience and the community as a whole.