Students began by filling out an application asking what leadership means to them, the qualities they believe they bring, and how they see themselves representing the school’s band community. Once selected, they participated in a leadership training session that focused on using positive language, encouraging peers, handling conflict kindly and calmly, and how to lead by example.
“Their main job is to help keep our classes learning smoothly so that every student has the best experience possible,” Katie described. “They do this in many ways; restoring relationships between students, resetting expectations when needed, helping classmates find lost materials, coaching peers through challenging music passages, and meeting individual needs so that the rest of the ensemble can continue learning together.”
Scholars have been participating since the beginning of the school year, and Ms. Mueller has noticed a marked change in her scholars.
“They hold very high standards for themselves, and their peers genuinely look up to them,” Mueller stated. “It has been amazing to see how they’ve grown in confidence, maturity, and musicianship as they’ve stepped into these responsibilities. It is important to note how much pride these students take in their role. Band leaders wear their leadership jackets proudly, which have become a visible symbol of responsibility, high standards, and positive influence within our school community. Their peers truly look up to them, and the leadership presence has had a noticeable impact on the culture of the band.”
January’s Moral Focus™ virtue of perseverance is exemplified by the Band Leadership students. They are regularly stepping up and helping their fellow students persevere through difficult challenges with kindness and compassion.
Through this program, North Saginaw isn’t just teaching students how to read notes and play rhythms; it is cultivating a generation of empathetic, resilient leaders. By harmonizing musical excellence with character development, Ms. Mueller’s scholars are proving that the most impactful melodies are the ones created when everyone works together. As these young leaders continue to grow, they leave an indelible mark on their school community, one note at a time.
North Saginaw Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Saginaw, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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