LEAD Cameron’s First Band Program Gives Students New Creative Outlet
In the bustling halls of LEAD Cameron Middle School, a new sound is bringing fresh energy to campus. For the first time in the school’s recent history, students are picking up instruments and discovering the joy of making music together through the newly launched band program. What began as an ambitious vision to expand creative opportunities has blossomed into a full-fledged musical ensemble, giving students a powerful new way to express themselves, connect with one another, and develop skills that extend far beyond the band room.
LEAD Cameron teacher Riley Turner leads the band, and she came upon the idea to start it by chance. In her first year at LEAD Cameron, the 2023-24 school year, she taught ukulele and general music. When the school had the annual electives showcase, another LEAD middle school, LEAD Neely’s Bend, lent music stands for the ukulele performances. When Turner went to pick them up, she noticed that there was a closet full of band instruments and equipment that was not being used.
“It immediately sparked my interest for many reasons, but the main one was: we live in Music City, but we do not have a band program at Cameron (despite having a renowned and extraordinary Cameron High School Band many years ago),” she said. “Playing a band instrument like the ones that were being stored would not only provide a creative outlet that, as humans, we all need, but it would also set students up for hundreds of career opportunities.”
When this school year began, Turner immediately began recruiting students to join her new band program.
“Scientific research shows how playing music gives the brain a multi-sensory workout. Because of this, sensing and critical thinking skills are strengthened in child development. Band is a passion of mine that I was fortunate enough to discover in middle school, and I want to provide that opportunity to students in hopes that they find a passion for music too.” –Riley Turner
The band has played an integral role at uniting students around a common goal, making the diverse group at LEAD Cameron feel like they are learning something brand new together. “At Cameron, many of the students are native Spanish speakers. At times, it can make them feel like they are at a disadvantage with their English-speaking teachers and peers,” said Turner. “In music, however, everyone is learning a completely different language, so it is harder to feel left out or at a disadvantage when it’s new for everyone! We are all entering a brand new world of music!”
This new experience is also uniting students in even more personal ways. “The students are learning the importance of teamwork without even realizing it,” said Turner. “So often, students in band end up sitting next to someone they may have never talked to before. By the end of the semester, they’re inseparable. It’s a really beautiful thing to see their relationships with each other flourish. They all have to work together to create balance while they’re playing in order to create a good, credible sound. Without listening to each other, learning from each other, and helping each other out, there is no band.”
Students had their first public performance in October, and their reaction surprised Turner. Despite their visible nervousness, “Many of the students ran up to me as soon as it was over to ask when they could perform like that again,” said Turner. “They were so incredibly proud of themselves afterward and even cheered when I told them we would be performing again soon.”
Turner hopes to see the band program expand even further, with performances at home sporting events, eighth grade promotion, and community gatherings – and even beyond LEAD Cameron Middle School and into LEAD Academy High School, where students can continue to hone their craft after they leave her classroom.
“I want to see the program thrive and continue providing opportunities for the students as well as the community,” she said. “The community has been so acceptive and supportive of the program as a whole. The performances we have had so far have been full of friends, families, and community members bursting with excitement to watch students express themselves through music.”
