Message to Parents and Students:

I am partnering with FBA for the 2011-2012 school year to offer band.  Who can participate?  All FBA Students that are in 5th grade or above.  As your FBA Band Director I bring over 20 years of band directing experience with me. Recent years have seen me judging at various contest and auditions in the public school music programs.  Additionally, I teach private instrumental music lessons to over 30 students a week.  I look forward to teaching your son/daughter the gift of music through our band program.

Personal Testimony:

I was quite stubborn and set in my ways.  After coming to faith He has opened doors and opportunities that bless my life in ways I never thought possible.  The Lord continues to guide my focus and efforts  and I’ve learned by experience that His timing is perfect and that He will provide.

General Goals and Responsibilities:

Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. There is a link between music and spatial intelligence, the ability to perceive the world accurately and to form mental pictures of things. Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized test, such as the SAT, and they also tend to achieve higher academic grades in high school.  My goal is to instill in each student an appreciation for and love of music.

To contact Mr. Dempsey, please email him at Rick.Dempsey@firstbaptistacademy.net, or call the office at 618-726-6040.