Bio
I'm Brett Burchard. I teach Band and Orchestra at Jacksonville Middle School, in Jacksonville, IL. This is my 30th or so year of teaching, both public and private. I have done every grade level K-12, college, and adults. I have taught concert band, jazz band, marching band, small ensembles, string orchestra, general music, choir (school and church), and private lessons on most of the instruments, but specializing in trumpet, euphonium, trombone, and violin.
In addition to JMS, I sometimes teach at Illinois College, and am currently the director of the Jacksonville-area Community Summer Band.
I have performed in all kinds of groups, including vocal chorales, symphony orchestras, community bands and jazz bands, combos (jazz, blues, gospel), praise & worship--guitar & vocals & trumpet, and even some union jobs back in the 80's with a great 18-piece dance band up in NW Iowa.
I majored in music at the U of I. No, the real one, in Iowa City. Go Hawks. I also worked really hard to get a Masters degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Western Illinois University in Macomb.
I also write & arrange a lot of music for my students and publish some of it for other teachers.
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Philosophy/Expectations
Music is everywhere, and everything relates back to music. There is science in music, and math, and history, and language. Music is such an important part of our culture and our everyday lives. It is also a very important part of our education.
“The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and learning process.” Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education, September, 2009.
“Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.” Aristotle
Studies have shown over and over that learning music makes learning other subjects easier because of the effect music has on the developing brain.
Our music goals here at JMS include studying, experiencing, performing, understanding. Our expectations include respect and effort.
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