Testimonials from Music Educators/Conductors who have used Limited Experience/Progressive Achievement Band Charts

Mark Jensen
Lockerby Composite School — Sudbury, ON
Ken has created a series of pieces that are accessible yet teach many of the techniques and concepts that developing musicians need to be successful.  The reality for the high school music teacher is that students enter secondary with a diverse background of musical experiences.  In response to that, Ken has done a great job at creating material that can address the level of virtually any group of young musicians.

Shelley Kossatz
Glen Dhu Public School — Whitby , ON
The Rebels!, Canada Rock!, Aleksei’s March - we really enjoyed them all! They were fun, energetic, and captured the interest of my gr.7 & 8 beginning band students. Rhythms were playable and we played what sounded like complicated music easily! Rebels! was the favourite. Our percussion section was THRILLED to be kept SO busy!! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and talent with us. These pieces really made beginning band FUN!

Rick Cade  
Kortright Hills Public School — Guelph, ON
In the first year of a new program, we played Aleksei’s March and Tour de Force in beginning band and the kids loved them! Good sounding  music and motivating in all parts — excellent choices for an early public concert!

Marla Sunstrum
West Ferris Secondary School — North Bay, ON
I enjoy using Swingin’ at Five, Just Movin’ Along and Leave it to Rock in my grade 9 music class. What sets these pieces apart from other beginner publications are frequent unison lines so that everyone, including low brass, enjoys playing the melody. On top of that, the pieces sound good in my limited instrumentation class and the students feel successful almost right away

James Hilts
Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School —Aurora, ON
Gimme a Break is a great piece, especially for clarinetists. It really helped me near the end of the grade 9 course, and I noticed  there was a greater success rate at achieving the over-the-break challenge. The trombones enjoyed the slides as well.

Mark Reid
Vancouver Technical Secondary School—Vancouver, BC
The Beginner Band really enjoyed Aleksei’s March. The musicianship gained from studying that piece provided a great footing for the development of their musical future.

Isaac Moore
South Huron District High School — Exeter, ON
On behalf of the South Huron Music Department, we’d like to thank you and your company Lifelong Music for sponsoring the reading session at the 2010 OMEA conference in London, Ontario.

Your music has played an integral part in our students’ musical development and education at South Huron. Each one was “brought up” on tunes like Aleksei’s March, Canada Rock!, and Roundup at Cody’s. The band was thrilled for the opportunity to help showcase your music, and worked hard to produce the recording enclosed of our performance that day...

The Senior Band from SHDHS is proud to have been a part of such a successful and meaningful experience with you. Thank you for making it possible, both by sponsoring our efforts financially, and by writing the music that helps shape so many young musical careers.

Denine Williams
Korah Collegiate & V.S. — Sault Ste. Marie, ON
I’ve used Aleksei’s March, Swingin’ at Five!, Gimme a Break!, The Rebels!, Canada Rock!, Swingin’ at Docks, Good One Herbie, so far. These pieces meet specific needs of beginners and let them achieve a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment early - and they sound great!

Neil Kennedy (retired)
 St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School—North Bay, ON
Accessible to beginning level ... solid practice on foundational skills ... easy enough for less skilled... challenging enough to maintain more advanced performer interest...pieces work with incomplete instrumentation...educationally sound and fun to play.

Bob Robilliard (retired)
South Huron D.H.S. — Exeter, ON
“very accessible for grades 7, 8, and 9 students... creates enthusiasm for performance... everybody’s busy!”

Tracy Finucane
(formerly at Lockerby Composite)
Espanola High School — Espanola, ON
Ken’s compositions are written in a way that students can experience quick success, yet they incorporate musical aspects that can be continually improved and perfected. Students love to play these works and one hears, “Can we play Tuareg Caravan again this year?” These compositions are great for band and music class.

Hollie Filice
White Pines C.V.S.— Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Finding good quality interesting music to teach young beginning players is difficult. With Swingin’ at Five! and Aleksei’s March, my students can’t wait to get started! They love playing these and learn so much along the way!”

Sally Lesk (retired)
Lockerby Composite Sudbury, ON
Swingin’ at 5! has become a tradition in our beginning grade 9 classes since 2003. As for Tuareg Caravan, it’s all the junior band ever wants to play!