It all began 18 years ago on a balmy spring afternoon in Caracas, Venezuela.
I was 11 years old and found myself rushing to the band room after just having lunch in the cafeteria. With pieces of arepa still clinging to my shirt I opened the double doors that led to the ECA music room and found Mr. Tomassi sitting at the podium looking at his notes. I quietly entered the room and after a welcoming "Good Afternoon Alan" and an apprehensive "Good Afternoon Mr. Tomassi" I set my bags underneath my chair and proceeded to assemble my Alto Saxophone, students filing into the room. Clarinet joints being assembled, tenor saxophones necks being placed onto bodies, valve oil being applied to trumpets and the rustle of sheet music were the only sounds heard. Then, after all students had set-up their instruments, Mr. Tomassi gently raised his arms, and a resonant sound emanated from our collective instruments and at that moment I understood my path and passion.
After my galvanizing first year in band at ECA under the instruction of legendary jazz educator Glenn Tomassi I proceeded to move to a variety of countries and international schools, studying under some of the best music educators in the world. All the while gathering information in my musical hard drive about effective music education teaching practices, effective ensemble rehearsal techniques, student motivation and most importantly the effects of a thriving music program on the fabric of an international school community. Granted, all these observations were made as a child and teenager so they must be taken with a fist-sized lump of salt. However, despite this minor misgiving, these observations have proven a deep well of insider knowledge which has ultimately guided my teaching career and resulted in the creation of this website.
Therefore, The International Band Room´s inception is a result of my observations and experiences as an international school student-musician and it's development a result of my now 4 years of teaching experience as an Upper School Music Teacher and Band Director in the International School Community. The purpose of the International Band Room is to become a HUB for international music educators who understand and wish to build a strong music program that can change student's lives, enrich the cultural experience of families, increase wellbeing among staff and act as a schoolwide experience which, when done correctly, can alter the fundamental fabric of an international school for the better.
- Alan Orlandi
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