JAY – Spruce Mountain Elementary School has a strong band program.

Students are first exposed to band instruments in the fourth grade. 35 students signed up for once weekly lessons that are held from September through June.

In January, the students who have been learning to play brass, percussion or woodwind instruments begin practicing together. The whole band also meets for one 40-minute weekly session.

“By doing this, 4th grade band students have a half year of lessons where they learn notes, fingerings etc. before putting them all together,” instructor Darrell Roundy said.

The school also has a 5th grade band. Fifty students are participating this year.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net 

Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay offers band programs for students in the 4th and 5th grades. Seen are members of the 4th grade band during a recent rehearsal. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)

Fifty students are in the fifth grade band, under the direction of Darrell Roundy, at Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay. The band is seen during a recent rehearsal. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)

Darrell Roundy is seen directing a rehearsal of the grade 5 band at Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)