2nd Floor

Many years ago, my colleage Barry Fox and I planned a bowling trip for our band kids. It was a simple after school trip for whichever kids wanted to go. The first year probably 40 of our 200 kids went on the trip. By the next year that number had doubled and by the third year we were renting out the entire bowling alley to make room for every kid that wanted to go.

We had struck a nerve and found something that was very successful. And it had nothing to do with music...or did it. Back to that later.

Three years ago I had this vision of having a party once a year called the Second Floor. I wanted to turn our music suite into a night club setting. Since our band and choir rooms are on the second floor, I called it the Second Floor. I didn't have the guts to do it my first year because a few of teachers I highly respect from other schools told me that it was not curricular and is something the kids get enough of outside of school.

But two years ago I decided to do it anyway. I hired a DJ, ordered a ton of pizzas, set up DDR, had board games/card games and a movie in the choir room. It was a huge hit. I just had the second Second Floor party of the year this past Friday. I have since added Rock Band and a room where the drums/guitar/bass guitar are set up and kids can jam. Almost every one of my 8th grade band kids showed up.

Back to this having anything to do with music. A few years ago at the bowling party Barry told me that we need to do more events like this. These type of events bring kids closer together and also enhances our relationship with them. It creates the team aspect that we want to build in an ensemble setting. It gives the kids yet one more experience that builds their love of being in music. So indirectly we are improving our program.

And one more benefit. It is a great time! Now I just need to learn how to play Rock Band!