Mr. Bill Bonnell

Mr. Bill Bonnell
Posted on 09/25/2017
Mr. Bill BonnellInformation: Before coming to Phoenixville, I played in the faculty brass quintet at Philadelphia’s Settlement music school, extra horn with the Philly Pops, and shows like Phantom of the Opera at the Forest Theater. Now I enjoy cheering my students as they reach new heights and help them find new ways to reach for their best. Some of my interests include the intersection of music with language, literacy, and autism. My students agree that my dog Reece is the cutest pet ever. 

Favorite: One of the important gifts I can give my students is the ability to create their own music. When students improvise they are creating music as they play it. A student needs to be able to do much more than decode the notes of a second trumpet part. Students need to be inspired to develop better skills as readers and improvisers. They also need the process broken into steps so that they have the courage to practice it. Many students are reluctant to improvise at first, but when we can take the fear out of the process and give them a change to build upon their ideas, they feel like champions. The look on a student’s face after a first solo says it all, “Wow! I got it!”

Classes Taught: Music, Concert Band, Symphonic Band

Clubs: Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble
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