乐为人师的乐队领队 - 2014年05月05日

MINDY Ruskovich, the 32-year-old band director of Shanghai Community International School's Hongqiao campus, is always happy to spend time with her students in a band and is excited about rehearsing for a forthcoming tour of Southeast Asia in June. 

It will not only be a cultural exchange program, but also a program organizers hope may plant the seeds of sharing in every participant. Apart from regular performances with other bands, the students will also donate instruments to two schools that would like to start a music program but don't have the funds. 

"I wanted not only to give our students the experience of performing in interesting locations, but also wanted them to see the value of helping foster the band tradition in schools that would not have this opportunity otherwise," says Ruskovich, "It is the first time we have tried the instrument donation aspect to the program and are looking forward to a very positive experience for everyone."

The idea of setting up the school band hit Ruskovich about four years ago when she saw some students expressing an interest in making a career out of music. 

"I decided to create this more advanced ensemble for the serious music students at SCIS to try and prepare them for continuing their musical career in some capacity later in life," says Ruskovich, 

"Some students may carry their skills into adulthood, playing in community ensembles, and some may just gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of music in their life. However they decide to continue, I know from first-hand experience that this intense training will help them in many aspects of life - such as discipline, creativity, attention to detail, and of course music performance."

The entire band program of SCIS HQ consists of about 200 students, featuring concert bands, percussion ensembles, the marching band and the select band, which is the touring ensemble. The select band consists of the top and most musically committed SCIS students in grades 7 to 12.

"The band has become a very large part of our students' lives at SCIS, many of them performing in three or four ensembles. They have often told me that they are really worried about moving to a new school without a band program," says Ruskovish.

Apart from the regular twice-a-week rehearsal, the occasional performance for public events and tours are also part of the band's schedule. 

The marching band performed at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, opened the Shanghai Jazz Festival for the past two years, and performed at numerous other public events as well, says Ruskovich. 

"All of these events have given the students of the select band the experience and motivation to carry their skills into the concert band setting and perform in even more challenging situations," says Ruskovich.

Ruskovich started another band, the Shanghai Community Band last November. This band began at SCIS, but features not only SCIS students but also parents who share the skill of playing an instrument and a love for music. Its enrollment is already up to 50 members - both expat and Chinese - and present free public concerts monthly.

Having benefited from being in a community band in her small hometown in Idaho, in the United States, Ruskovich considered it a good idea to set up one in Shanghai. 

"It gives a home to musicians from all walks of life and brings unique musical talents and experiences to the band," says Ruskovich, "I still remember the adults and mentors I sat next to seeming to be world-class musicians. And now I witness the same thing happening to young students playing alongside adults who have performed for 20 to 30 years."