~We have been to countless parades and events where marching bands play. Each and every time we have encouraged Gabriel that being in marching band is something he might get to do in the future.
~Gabriel demanded to be in band as a 5the grade student. Usually students from the program he is in are placed in choir. With limited verbal skills Gabriel was very clear he would take nothing less than playing an instrument. With a lot of conversations back Gabriel joined band and played Trumpet.
~ For four years Gabriel has had trumpet lessons to help him learn his chosen instrument. (The boy practices and tries harder than most kids I know.) If you are wondering, he plays at a mid year 5th grade level. He can not read music but does understand mouth placement changes tone. With the fingerings written on his music he is able to work his way through music. His tone gets better each year.
~ This last spring we sat down with his IEP team including one of the band directors to transition Gabriel to high school. They had not had a student from gabers program in the marching band and we weren’t sure if he would be welcomed in. Gabriel was welcomed to marching band and they would meet his needs where he is at. He will have additional adult support to help keep him on track but they would not stand over him being a 1:1. We left the meeting extremely encouraged.
~ Grand Haven’s new director for special education is willing to work with the band team to make marching band inclusive for Gabriel (and those who may come after him).
~ There have been many ups and downs in this process. Each additional medical diagnosis has thrown a wrench in what matching band could look like. Non-inclusive people have stated their beliefs on how Gabriel will drain the band and not looking at what he can give the band.
All that being said, our soon to be freshman got to try on his uniform today. This day has been YEARS in the making for one DETERMINED little man!
I can’t say my eyes won’t leak when he finally gets to march and be on the field with the band.
