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APRIL 23, 2024—The High School and Middle School Bands came together on Tuesday to share music pieces and engage in discussion. But it wasn't just about music.

The plan was to become comfortable discussing something that may be uncomfortable: mental health.

Students gathered in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) to perform the pieces “Choose Joy” and “Fragile” by composer Randall Standridge. Standridge initiated the “unBroken Project,” which includes several related pieces.

Both “Choose Joy” and "Fragile” focus on mental health by telling the story of someone's mental health journey, including the struggles, triumphs, and everything in between.

The bands will perform these pieces at their respective Spring concerts in May, coinciding with National Mental Health Awareness Month. 

After the performances, students divided into groups and sat down to discuss the message behind each piece. The groups also shared their mental health journeys and brainstormed healthier habits.

Middle School Band Director Liz Kockler explains that she and High School Band Director Deb Davis wanted students to connect since they would not otherwise hear the other group's piece. Kockler adds that the activity aligns with Standridge's intentions for the pieces.

Describing his compositions, Standridge expresses his desire for them to inspire people to feel comfortable discussing their mental health.

“For some [people], this is their daily reality,” Standridge wrote. “We need to talk about this; we are GOING to talk about this.”

 

 

 

In addition to the discussion on Tuesday, Kockler mentioned that eighth-grade band members met with the middle school’s counseling staff. They discussed the piece, mental health struggles in general, and how music often aids those suffering.

After the discussion, both ensembles reunited on stage to perform the more light-hearted “All-Star” by Smash Mouth.

The high school band will perform on Thursday, May 2, while the middle school will perform on Tuesday, May 21.