Hollywood (June, 2005) Los Angeles Philharmonic Awards Tony Bancroft “Music Matters: Unsung Hero” Award

On June 24, 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl, Tony Bancroft will be recognized as one of the ‘Unsung Heros’ at the Music Matters Educational Concert event. One oustanding Elementary and High School teacher will be recognized along with Mr. Bancroft, the middle school representative. Each teacher will be awarded a grant to improve their school and the learning environment. Target, the main sponsor, is working to support this event. A student representative, Josh Footlik-Epport and his mother will represent El Segundo Middle School.

 LOS ANGELES (May 2005) Don Knabe, of 4th District, Recognizes the Arts

Don Knabe, 4th district of Los Angeles recognizes Tony Bancroft for outstanding work with the El Segundo Middle School Bands, and for community participation. A significant certificate of award recognizes this special occasion.

WISCONSIN BOOKWATCH (March 2005)

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide For Band And Orchestra Parents is a straightforward resource for parents who may not necessarily know the first thing about music or instruments, but who want to help their musically inclined child achieve his or her fullest potential. From basic information concerning different instruments and how to keep them in good working order, to which “green” instruments are more sought after by college orchestras – and therefore are more likely to earn a tuition discount, to the importance of private lessons in grooming advanced talent, helping young people balance learning to play with other academic and extracurricular activities, and much more, Growing Your Musician is packed cover to cover with valuable advice. Highly recommended especially for parents who want to avoid hype and charlatans in favor of proven techniques to nurture their children’s talents. COPYRIGHT 2005 Midwest Book Review COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

WISCONSIN (Jan. 2005) Midwest Book Review. …highly recommended especially for parents …

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide For Band And Orchestra Parents is a straightforward resource for parents who may not necessarily know the first thing about music or instruments, but who want to help their musically inclined child achieve his or her fullest potential. From basic information concerning different instruments and how to keep them in good working order, to which “green” instruments are more sought after by college orchestras – and therefore are more likely to earn a tuition discount, to the importance of private lessons in grooming advanced talent, helping young people balance learning to play with other academic and extracurricular activities, and much more, Growing Your Musician is packed cover to cover with valuable advice.

Highly recommended especially for parents who want to avoid hype and charlatans in favor of proven techniques to nurture their children’s talents. Growing Your Musician Tony Bancroft National Association for Music Education 1806 Robert Fulton Dr, Reston, VA 20191 1565451600 $19.95 www.amazon.com

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/ibw/jan_05.htm#parenting

YUGOW, (July 04) Benefits of Music Education

Are There Really Benefits to Music Education?

by Tony Bancroft, MM, Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents

Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in public schools, there is a great need for studying music. Band, orchestra, and choir all offer students a chance to work together in a social and intellectual group setting and excel at complex tasks.

The trick for parents is to enroll their children in high quality programs and assist them in purchasing high quality instruments. There are indeed many benefits to be realized from a musical education and a quick reference guide is listed below.

Playing a Musical Instrument Can

  • Help your child develop a commitment to excellence
  • Help your child develop self-esteem
  • Provide an opportunity for your child to experience self-expression, creativity, and heightened achievement
  • Engage the imagination
  • Contribute to a balanced, positive, challenging, and stimulating education
  • Prepare your child for other stages of development and participation in society by fostering dedication and sensitivity
  • Increase your child’s brain development, math abilities, and higher thinking skills
  • Help your child develop perseverance when things are looking bleak and hopeless
  • Raise your child’s awareness
  • Expand your child’s knowledge
  • Help your child develop mind and body coordination
  • Contribute to your child’s spiritual growth
  • Help your child develop teamwork skills
  • Be a source of great fun!

Tony Bancroft, Music Teacher and Author of “Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents” assists parents in developing their musical children. He is an alumni of Yale University and UCLA. He can be reached at www.growingyourmusician.com

BEACH CITIES, CA. (Aug 28, 04) Teacher’s book shows parents the ropes

Teacher’s book shows parents the ropes (8/26)By Jennifer Evans

Guiding a student through the process of choosing, learning and practicing an instrument is often a challenge, especially for those parents who are not familiar with the many components of learning music. However, El Segundo Middle School music director Tony Bancroft tackles all the elements of how to direct a child toward musical success in his recently released book “Growing Your Musician.”

Published by the National Association for Music Education, the book is a practical guide for band and orchestra parents.

“I get the same questions every year from parents so I know what the concerns are. The entire book is organized in how a parent needs help. It answers all of their questions, from helping their child choose the right instrument to helping the child manage his or her practice time,” Bancroft said.

Bancroft added that because practicing is the key to learning and meeting new challenges, making time for the practice is imperative to the student’s success. “Many parents who don’t play an instrument themselves or are not familiar with the components of music feel that they are unable to help their child practice. However, the book instructs parents who can’t even read music how to help their child practice his or her instrument.”

Bancroft’s realistic approach to teaching and attention to detail are what contribute to the success of the book. Broken into three sections with two to three chapters in each, the 118-page book is complemented with several charts, review questions, specific questions and answers, checklists, definitions to music terms, and Bancroft’s firsthand experience as a music student and educator.

“There is no other book that tackles every aspect of learning music,” Bancroft said. “What I discovered was that there were a lot of books that taught parents about how to teach their kids to do better in math or English or science, but there were very few books that helped parents with teaching their kids about music or how to choose an instrument.”

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in music from UCLA and a master’s degree from Yale University, Bancroft’s passion extends beyond the middle school level. He relates to the struggles that students have when trying to utilize their music skills to increase their educational opportunities. Because of this, he dedicated a chapter of the book to advising parents and students how to prepare for what colleges are looking for. The book has a list of “green light” instruments, which are the instruments that are more likely going to help a student acquire a scholarship and get accepted to a top university.

Although Bancroft saw a desperate need for a book of this genre, like many aspiring authors, he had to survive the wave of rejections before finding a publisher that shared his passion.

“That was the hardest process, sending my idea out and getting those rejection letters back. It got to be depressing. I must have contacted 15 to 20 publishers before I found the company that agreed to publish it.”

Bancroft explained that the book took him two years to write, and another two years to get it published and marketed for selling. However, he said his hard work is already paying off. “I’ve already received positive feedback from people who have read and used the book,” he said. “It’s been a very encouraging experience and I’m thrilled to be able to help more than just my own students.”

As a band teacher and music director at ESMS, Bancroft concluded that he instructs an average of 200 students every school year. However, in considering the amount of children learning music throughout the country, he felt 200 wasn’t enough. “I wanted to have the opportunity to help more students and more parents,” he said. “With this book, I can help thousands of people nationwide.”

Available at several local music and book stores as well as Amazon.com, Borders.com, JWPepper.com and distributed by the library network, “Growing Your Musician” is endorsed by several music directors including Aaron Flagg of the Juilliard School, who described the book as a helpful guide for parents who want to be hands-on in their support of the young music student, and Felice Mancini, executive director for the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, who said the book reinforces the fact that playing music is a powerful activity.

Bancroft will have his first book signing this Friday, Aug. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Shanghai Reds, located at 13813 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey.

For more information about the book, visit www.growingyourmusician.com.

EL SEGUNDO, CA. (Aug 27, 04) Singing set for teacher’s book

Signing set for teacher’s book

by Adam Ruseling

El Segundo Middle School music instructor and UCLA graduate Tony Bancroft will hold a book signing for family, friends, guests and parents in Marina del Rey tomorrow for his newly released book, “Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents,” published by the National Association for Music Education.

Incorporating national standards for music education, “Growing Your Musician” is designed for parents and teachers to offer guidance on how to advance musical development in children and also how to assist them in getting into college.

Felice Mancini, Executive Director of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Sherman Oaks that supports music education, stated that “Tony’s book is a welcome guide for those who want to keep music alive at home and in the classroom, and it reinforces the fact that playing music is a powerful and positive activity.”

The book signing will take place 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 in Marina del Rey at Shanghai Reds, 13813 Fiji Way. MENC members or MusicFriends (musicfriends.com) receive a discounted price of $21.75. ER

Pasadena, CA. (June, 16) Growing Your Musician

Growing Your Musician

Parents can find guidance on working with band and orchestra teachers to encourage musical development in young musicians in the new book Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents, published by MENC: The National Association for Music Education. In addition to learning how to select the correct instrument, families will benefit from the second and third sections of the book. “Practice Makes Perfect” is written specifically for parents and their children so that both will gain an understanding of a topic that is frequently misunderstood—how to practice. And even if parents know little or nothing about music, the third section, “Secrets of the Pros,” shows parents how to talk with their children about important aspects of music using language that is taught in the music classroom. Written by California music educator Tony Bancroft, Growing Your Musician incorporates the National Standards for Music Education and offers special advisory sections about selecting a private instructor and planning for college. To learn more about this publication, go to http://www.menc.org/publication/press/releases/growing_apr04.html

LOS ANGELS, CA (May 15, 2004) Colburn School of Performing Arts

Colburn School Graduate – Tony Bancroft Writes Book For Music Students and Parents

Local middle school teacher and Colburn School graduate Tony Bancroft recently completed “Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents,” a music guidebook for parents and their musically gifted children. Published by Music Educators National Conference, this book will become available at www.menc.org and www.amazon.com in early May, 2004.

            Over the past decade, Mr. Bancroft, who teaches music at El Segundo Middle School, has met thousands of frustrated parents who believe in the importance of high quality musical education and musical excellence, but are not exactly sure how to promote it in their children: “Many parents have an image of helping their child gain acceptance into college or even earning a coveted scholarship, but most are not aware of exactly how to fulfill this ideal. Whether they know a little, a lot, or nothing about music, I wrote Growing Your Musician for parents dedicated to their children’s musical success.”

            Growing Your Musician consists of three sections. The first section shows how to select the correct instrument, but Mr. Bancroft believes that most Colburn School families will benefit from the second and third sections: “Practice Makes Perfect,” and “Secrets of the Pros.” “Practice Makes Perfect” is written specifically for parents ­and their children so that both will gain an understanding of a topic that is frequently misunderstood—how to practice. Illustrated examples and interesting stories show what type of music to practice, how to practice, and what to look for in difficult music. Musical analysis, division, and review are key themes covered in this informative section.

            Even if parents know little or nothing about music, the third section, “Secrets of the Pros,” shows parents how to talk with their children about important aspects of music using language that is taught in the music classroom. Terms like intonation, tuning, tempo, rhythm and a host of others are discussed and explored in ways that adults can easily use to help inspire their children and focus their energy, skills, and talents.

            Another valuable resource for Colburn School parents is the appendix titled “College and Beyond,” which enlightens parents about the realities of many top-tier schools. College and post-college career path options are explored, and key audition advice will aid the serious and dedicated musician.

            Mr. Bancroft studied music at the Colburn School in the late eighties. Under the leadership of brass coach Bob Karon and the inspiration of Executive Director Joe Thayer, Mr. Bancroft was fortunate to perform with the 32nd Street Brass Quintet, which played on local live radio broadcasts, toured New Zealand, and eventually played at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Bancroft’s current students are encouraged to enroll at the Colburn School.

RESTON, VA (April 21, 2004) New Book by MENC: The National Association for Music Education Aims to Guide Parents of Musical Kids

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents Encourages Musical Development

RESTON, VA (April 21, 2004)– Parents can find guidance on working with band and orchestra teachers to encourage musical development in young musicians in the new book Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents, published by MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

In addition to learning how to select the correct instrument, families will benefit from the second and third sections of the book. “Practice Makes Perfect” is written specifically for parents and their children so that both will gain an understanding of a topic that is frequently misunderstood—how to practice. And even if parents know little or nothing about music, the third section, “Secrets of the Pros,” shows parents how to talk with their children about important aspects of music using language that is taught in the music classroom.

Written by credentialed band director Tony Bancroft, Growing Your Musician incorporates the National Standards for Music Education and offers special advisory sections about selecting a private instructor and planning for college.

“As a community leader, I’m extremely concerned about the downward trend of children engaging in music,” remarked Mike Gordon, Mayor of El Segundo, California. “This book is the first real self-help music book for parents–a true blueprint of how to engage your child in a lifetime of music. Tony Bancroft has filled a void in learning for every parent.”

Felice Mancini, Executive Director of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports music education, said, “As music education is rapidly disappearing from American schools, it is more important than ever to engage children and their parents in music making at home and give them the tools and encouragement to stay with it for life.” Mancini continued, “Tony’s book is a welcome guide for those who want to keep music alive at home and in the classroom, and it reinforces the fact that playing music is a powerful and positive activity.”

Additional support for the book comes from The GRAMMY Foundation. “Growing Your Musician will become a staple of the music director’s library. Parents will find it comprehensive,informative, and reassuring in supporting their child’s instrumental music endeavors,” said a spokesperson.

MENC Executive Director John J. Mahlmann adds, “All music teachers should have a copy of Growing Your Musician on their desk as an invaluable tool for answering questions from parents about their children’s musical development.”

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents is available from MENC for $29.00. Members of MENC or MusicFriends (musicfriends.com) receive the discounted price of $21.75. To order, call 1-800-828-0229.

For more information, call 1-800-336-3768, or visit www.menc.org.

MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the world’s largest arts education organization, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 100,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.

RESTON, VA (PRWEB) (April 16), 2004 New Book by MENC: The National Association for Music Education Aims to Guide Parents of Musical Kids

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents Encourages Musical Development

RESTON, VA (PRWEB) April 16, 2004 -– Parents can find guidance on working with band and orchestra teachers to encourage musical development in young musicians in the new book Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents, published by MENC: The National Association for Music Education.

In addition to learning how to select the correct instrument, families will benefit from the second and third sections of the book. “Practice Makes Perfect” is written specifically for parents and their children so that both will gain an understanding of a topic that is frequently misunderstood—how to practice. And even if parents know little or nothing about music, the third section, “Secrets of the Pros,” shows parents how to talk with their children about important aspects of music using language that is taught in the music classroom.

Written by credentialed band director Tony Bancroft, Growing Your Musician incorporates the National Standards for Music Education and offers special advisory sections about selecting a private instructor and planning for college.

“As a community leader, I’m extremely concerned about the downward trend of children engaging in music,” remarked Mike Gordon, Mayor of El Segundo, California. “This book is the first real self-help music book for parents–a true blueprint of how to engage your child in a lifetime of music. Tony Bancroft has filled a void in learning for every parent.”

Felice Mancini, Executive Director of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports music education, said, “As music education is rapidly disappearing from American schools, it is more important than ever to engage children and their parents in music making at home and give them the tools and encouragement to stay with it for life.” Mancini continued, “Tony’s book is a welcome guide for those who want to keep music alive at home and in the classroom, and it reinforces the fact that playing music is a powerful and positive activity.”

Additional support for the book comes from The GRAMMY Foundation. “Growing Your Musician will become a staple of the music director’s library. Parents will find it comprehensive,informative, and reassuring in supporting their child’s instrumental music endeavors,” said a spokesperson.

MENC Executive Director John J. Mahlmann adds, “All music teachers should have a copy of Growing Your Musician on their desk as an invaluable tool for answering questions from parents about their children’s musical development.”

Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents is available from MENC for $29.00. Members of MENC or MusicFriends (musicfriends.com) receive the discounted price of $21.75. To order, call 1-800-828-0229.

For more information, call 1-800-336-3768, or visit www.menc.org.

MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the world’s largest arts education organization, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. More than 100,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.

EL SEGUNDO, CA (April 4, 04) El Segundo Middle School

El Segundo Middle School PTA Presents VSP

(Very Special Person) Award to Tony Bancroft

As the El Segundo Middle School instrumental music teacher, also known as band director, this next award recipient has the responsibility of teaching students the joy of playing music.

Most of his beginning students have never played an instrument before.  He helps them to “choose” an instrument and then teaches them to play.  The amazing thing is that the students learn to play together, to perform in concerts, and succeed.

Under his direction last year, the 50 member ESMS band traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete at Disney World.  The band received a Superior rating, which is the highest award given.  The band was invited to perform at Disney’s Epcot and at the Kennedy Space Center.  In May, 100 band members will travel to San Francisco to compete this year.

With enthusiasm, dedication, and skill Tony Bancroft has welcomed many 6th graders to the joy of music.

It is an honor to present this year’s Very Special person Award from El Segundo Middle School to Mr. Tony Bancroft

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