OLM’s band program has something to offer to each student. Students are invited to participate in the instrumental music program, beginning in the 4th grade. Children advance from beginning band, to junior and senior band, each having the opportunity to audition for the jazz band. In the spring, the middle school members participate in the “Music in the Park” competition at Six Flags in Massachusetts. The band consistently receives high marks. Last year, one of our young musicians received the “Best Jazz Soloist” award, competing against hundreds of other students for this honor. Many former OLM band members advance into their chosen high school’s band.
The program maintains a website for scheduling at olmband.com. Students can register for band at OLM band registration. This is a full-year program. The registration fee covers lessons from September through May, as well as the cost of the method book. Email jrametta@olmband.com with questions.
Top Reasons to Play in a Band:
HIGHER TEST SCORES – The latest SAT tests reveal that music students continue to outperform their non-arts peers, scoring 61 points higher on the verbal portion and 42 points higher on the math portion of the exam.
BRAIN DEVELOPMENT – The part of the brain used for planning, foresight and coordination is larger for musicians.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS – Admissions officers cite participation in instrumental music as an important factor in making admissions decisions, demonstrating time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES – Students who participate in school band or orchestra have the lowest levels of current and lifelong use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs among any group in our society.
HELP ACHIEVE POTENTIAL – Researchers studied 150 1st graders lagging behind in academics. After 7 months of music and visual arts training, the students caught up in reading and surpassed their classmates in math by 22%.
CAREER SUCCESS – A majority of the engineers and technical designers in Silicon Valley are also practicing musicians.
Band Directors
JACK RAMETTA, Pianist / Composer
Education:
Bachelor of Music Composition, Berklee College of Music
Master of Music Candidate (Music Composition Focus), University of Rhode Island
Studied music composition & production techniques at the Berklee College of Music, as well as gaining hands-on techniques at two New York studios. A Rhode Island studio owner for 30 years, Jack designed and directed the construction of 5 state-of-the-art audio facilities. He produced and engineered countless music and broadcast projects for local & national radio, TV and corporate use. A privately-trained and accomplished musical arranger since middle school, Jack performed and composed original songs for a musical group signed by Arista Records in 1978. He created musical compositions for countless broadcast and corporate projects from 1981 to present; adapted and created arrangements for elementary and middle school bands at OLM from 2001 to present; and currently designs their music curriculum.
Career Accomplishments
- In the late 70’s, a recording Artist, Arista Records- Collected works of original songs for Arista Records.
- 1981 to present, the owner and president of StarTrak Studios, Inc.
- Composed and produced RI 350th Anniversary film score
- Composed and produced hundreds of custom musical scores for clients such as Swarovski, CVS, Xerox, Gulf Oil, American Power Conversion, The United Way, Metlife, Days Inn, Fisher-Price and the Lifetime Network
- Composed and produced custom musical station ID packages for WLNE, WBZ, WPRI, KXAS, WTNH, WTIC, WBRZ, WCIS and WAVY
- Composed and produced documentary-style musical scores for Commonwealth Films and the Longyear Museum
GREG TAKEMOTO, saxophone / clarinet
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Rhode Island College – Magna Cum Laude
Greg Takemoto has been playing saxophone since he was nine years old. Before moving to RI, Greg lived in Sacramento, California and attended Chico State University with a focus on a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (woodwinds). At CSU he was able to share the stage with the likes of Joshua Redman, Poncho Sanchez, and Randy Brecker. Greg Takemoto then began touring with a variety of funk and groove bands. During that time he played most notably at the Mountain Air and High Sierra Music Festivals. He was fortunate to share the stage with such greats as Karl Denson, The Slip, and Robert Walter. Greg then moved to Rhode Island to study with world-renowned saxophonist Greg Abate in 2003. Since then, Greg Takemoto has been playing regularly with local musicians, leading his own bands and working on original projects. He currently teaches at the RI Philharmonic’s Music School, OLM, and More than Music. Greg Takemoto enjoys teaching and loves sharing his enthusiasm for music with his students.
Additional Information
Students can purchase or rent instruments at Robert’s Music is Warwick. They offer an exceptional rental/exchange program, which allows students to change instruments within the 1st six months with no penalty. They’re also helpful in choosing an instrument. Although piano & guitar are not offered, students currently studying those instruments can audition to join an existing band.