COLOMA, Mich. (WSBT) -- A band of young talent is taking advantage of a rare opportunity to get a head start on their music journey in Southwest Michigan.
5th graders at Coloma Community Schools are starting a year earlier than most other programs.
Most schools do not hand their students an instrument until 6th grade.
The earlier start gives Coloma students an extra year of working out kinks and learning to follow the instructions of the conductor.
Marc Hartman, Coloma Community Schools' Band Director, says starting in 5th grade is pretty unique compared to surrounding schools.
"The only two that I know of are us and another district in Berrien County. There's only a handful in Southwest Michigan that do this. So it's a really unique opportunity that our kids get to experience, you know, not only band, but general music and STEM, art, PE," said Hartman.
Students that show an interest in band start the process at the end of their 4th grade year.
By the time they see their first music sheet, students will have tried every instrument to see which is the best fit for them.
In class with Hartman, students learn the basics of reading sheet music and following the rhythm of the group, and mastering their instrument of choice.
Hartman has only been directing the program for two years, but has already enrolled nearly half of the 5th grade class in band.
"It's just fun to watch them learn every single day, you know, going through, 'okay this is how you play this note, this is how you play this note, this is slide here, you know, move the mouthpiece here,' and seeing the rapid advancement in their musical journeys from the first day all the way to the last day of 5th grade band. And then I get the special treat of seeing them all the way 'till they graduate," said Hartman.
In his short time as band director, he has already seen the high school program grow to historic heights -- most notably a bid for a state title this year.
"So we hare first time that Coloma has ever participated in the Michigan Competing Bands Association. That's the high level marching arts association in Michigan. So we are our first season in right now, and we're competing for a spot at state finals at Ford Field on November 1st," said Hartman.
While his older students compete for gold, Hartman says the younger ones are picking up an instrument for the first time.
It is a head start that Hartman believes can make all the difference in their overall development in and out of the music room.
"They get a leg up not only with playing their instruments but, you know, academically. Starting instruments at a younger age is tested and proven to help them with their reading scores or math scores and everything else that they're working on," said Hartman.
Coloma is also competing in the first state preliminary qualifier at Okemos High School this weekend.
They are hoping to be one of the top 10 qualifying for state.
The 5th grade class will perform at the holiday concert on December 4 at the Coloma School Auditorium.