Overview The primary objective of the North Vancouver School District's Elementary Band Program is to provide the best possible instrumental music instruction to as many children as possible in the elementary schools of our community. The Program The elementary band and strings program provides school-based instrumental instruction to students in the intermediate grades. Through a carefully nurtured support system, which includes the North Vancouver School District, the parents, students and teachers, the program has become one of the finest instrumental programs in British Columbia. The following skills are taught in each instrumental group: Music making skills Students learn how to keep time, hear pitch and control musical expression. Instrument playing skills Students learn how to hold an instrument, make the appropriate sounds and control the pitch of the instrument. Music reading skills Students begin with the basics of musical notation and progress to reading more complex music as their playing skills increase. Group skills Students develop the ability to work cooperatively and democratically in a group, building on the ideals of shared work, empathy and mutual support. For further information, contact the Queen Mary school office.