ON THE WEB AND IN THE CLASSROOM
BandQuest™ Leaps Into the Future

The Forum's BandQuest™ program has tapped some of today's top composers to create new works for middle-school band. The program is not only responsible for a body of exciting, challenging new works for young musicians, but also for its groundbreaking interdisciplinary CD-ROM curricula, which provides students with greater insight into the music and ties their musical studies to other areas of life and learning. Since the April publication of the first three works in the BandQuest series, the program has won raves from educators and students alike.

With generous support from the AT&T Foundation, BandQuest is preparing to take another giant step into the future. The foundation's support will allow for significant enhancements to the BandQuest Web site, and will also fund the program's full implementation in Chicago schools.

"We are absolutely delighted with the degree to which AT&T believes BandQuest will contribute to improved learning and high-quality music education," says Forum Managing Director John Nuechterlein. "Their sponsorship is a significant step forward in supporting stronger music programs where they are so desperately needed."

The Forum developed the BandQuest curricula using the Facets Model, an interdisciplinary approach to teaching music developed by Dr. Janet Barret, BandQuest's lead curriculum editor, and Dr. Claire McCoy. By tying it to other areas of study, the Facets Model removes music education from the academic vacuum in which it is usually taught.

With the foundation's support, the Forum will develop online tools to help teachers understand and utilize the Facets Model. Using the same conceptual framework on which the existing CD-ROMs are based, these Web tools will provide music educators with the means to create an interdisciplinary curriculum for any piece of music they wish to teach.

The upgraded Web site will also provide students with interactive activities to accompany each of the BandQuest compositions. The site will provide games and tutorials for students, engaging them fully in the context of each work and its composers.

"Ultimately we wish to nurture a deeper understanding of the music and how it connects to other areas of study," Nuechterlein explains.

The foundation's support will also fund BandQuest's inclusion in a larger music-education initiative by AT&T Broadband and VH1 Save the Music in Chicago public schools. The BandQuest series will be donated to selected schools in the city, along with CD-ROMs for each participating student. BandQuest composers will be brought in to work with students and participate in professional development seminars for educators.

For more information on BandQuest, visit www.BandQuest.org.