“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein
Creativity is taking center stage in Webster as we celebrate Music in our Schools all month long. What began as a single statewide celebration in 1973 has grown into a month long celebration of music and music education in schools across the country.
The Board of Education had an opportunity recently to see the creativity of Webster’s music program when six Schroeder High School students presented their interpretation of STOMP, a form of musical theatre that features choreography, percussion, movement, and physicality. The students used folding chairs and their own rhythmic skills and body percussion techniques to create a spectacular show of sound and rhythm. It was a great way to kick off this month of musical celebrations!
Webster is an innovator and leader in music education at both the state and national level. Webster music teachers have received four Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra awards for educational excellence. Dr. Lon Berry, Spry choral director, is nationally known for his composition and arrangement skills and Larry Neeck, Willink band teacher, is a nationally known composer of middle school concert and jazz band repertoire; Laura D’Angelo, Schroeder High School, is a reader for the American College Board’s Advanced Placement (A.P.) Music Theory exam. Dr. Johanna Siebert, Director of Fine Arts, is president-elect of the National Council of Supervisors of Music Education and Stephanie Jones, State Road general music teacher, is the state president of the Gordon Institute for Music Learning. The expertise of our music staff is one of the reasons Webster has been recognized as one of the country’s top 100 communities for music education for three consecutive years.
The strength of Webster’s music program begins at the elementary level where students receive early and regular instruction in music. Musical concepts are introduced in general music classes to students in grades 1-3 and expanded upon in grades 4 and through such experiences as listening, singing, and movement. Beginning in fourth grade, many students elect to take small group instruction in a musical instrument with additional opportunities for ensemble participation. Grade level choruses also begin in fourth grade. It is the regular, developmentally appropriate instruction in grades 1-5 that lays the foundation for strong, basic musicianship in all our students.
Musicality deepens as students enter middle school and are exposed to additional music styles, including jazz and improvisation. By participating in one of their schools’ bands or orchestra, students strengthen technical skills and musicianship on their individual instruments. Choruses and select choirs allow students to develop proper vocal technique while learning how to balance and blend their voices within a choral ensemble.
By the time Webster students reach high school they have received a strong and comprehensive foundation in all aspects of music instruction and performance: voice, band, and orchestra. For the student who wants to study the elements of rhythm, melody, and harmony in more detail, Webster offers classes in music theory.
The success of Webster’s music program can be measured in many ways: in the awards its students and staff consistently achieve, in the quality of its numerous concerts and musical productions, and by the hundreds of Webster students selected each year to participate in one or more Monroe County Music Association or New York State School Music Association music festivals. The most significant indicator, however, may be the fact that over 30% of Webster high school students exceed New York’s 1-credit fine arts requirement by remaining in music classes throughout their high school careers. Einstein would be pleased.
