Driscoll students excel in Fall Showcase despite the distance

This school year has put a lot in perspective for everyone, including Driscoll Middle School’s Assistant Band Director, Danielle Aicher. She’s been teaching for 13 years and spent the last seven teaching band at Driscoll.

“One of the most difficult challenges we have faced has been starting our beginning band students off this year without being able to physically help them to hold their instruments or to correctly place them on/in their mouths,” explained Aicher.

Aicher, like so many other North East ISD teachers, had to get extra creative to make sure this year’s band students got the most out of class.

“So, we decided to take several close-up videos to share with our students,” said Aicher. “Everything from how to open the case right-side-up, to how to safely put the parts of the instrument together, to how to place your lips and teeth on or around the mouthpieces. As it turns out, we may just use these videos again in the future!”

Once they got the basics down, the next step was figuring out how to let the students perform. This year’s fall showcase looked a little different from years past, but it came will all the usual nerves and excitement.

“The students were actually so nervous when it came time to show them the Fall Showcase in class,” said Aicher. “To me, this was perfect because it replicated that same feeling of nervous excitement when you perform at a concert. “

Students performed this year’s showcase online. The students chose a piece to perform. They sent in a video of their performance, and Aicher edited them all together in a video.

“Despite the extra hours spent on my computer putting it together, it just seemed like the very least I could do for my students and parents during this time,” said Aicher.

The students and parents loved it.

“They started clapping after each performer and commented how great someone was,” said Aicher. “That camaraderie and support for their peers was incredible to witness.”