By HOLLY GASKILL
What builds and grows a school music program?
Earlier this year, Norwell Community School stakeholders identified a need to strengthen music and arts programming in an analysis of the district’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
During a regular meeting Tuesday, the board heard from some music teachers about their programs — all of whom have been with Norwell for less than three years.
The middle and high school teachers recognized music participation had taken some hits, but new efforts show promise for recruitment and retention.
For example, middle school band director Stephanie Depauw pivoted toward a much more hands-on approach in garnering interest for band classes. She said she highly marketed an evening instrument fitting, where she could connect directly with students and their families. Sixth grade enrollment dipped from 47 to 29 from the 2021-22 school year to the 2022-23 school year, however, it recovered to 33 this year and is expected to reach 34 in the 2024-25 school year. Retention in the middle school band overall has also improved.
Meanwhile, the high school program had 43 students participating in 2021-22, which decreased to 39 students last year and 28 students this school year. That said, efforts to recruit and retain students in the middle school are also beneficial to the high school’s success — High school band director Same Wells anticipates 23 incoming freshmen this fall, bringing the program up to 45 students total.
Wells and Depauw have worked together on several items, including creating interest with upper elementary students.
Meanwhile, both teachers boasted their students’ accomplishments at regional and state competitions, honor bands and various performances.
Wells and Depauw also expressed the need for new equipment, including replacements for aging or broken instruments, a director tower, and a drum major podium, among other items. In the long term, the teachers want to increase participation and retention, continue coordination between their programs, and grow their community involvement.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Tyler Doyle, the middle and high school choir teacher. However, the board immediately recognized Doyle’s immense workload.
“Tyler, you need help in the middle school,” said board member Angie Sheets. She complimented his work but stressed that there was too much to coordinate for one person.
Doyle agreed and included the vacancy and a stipend for a show choir director among his program needs. Doyle also outlined several program needs, including adding storage, increasing the sheet music library, and purchasing a stage for choir invitational.
The middle school choir, Doyle said, has grown from 35 students in 2021-22 to 51 students in the past two years. He hopes to raise the program to 25% of the student body, 120 students.
The high school concert choir class has grown from five students in its first school year, 2022-23, to a projected 21 students in 2024-25. Doyle wants to expand the program to 40-65 students.
Before the music teachers’ presentations, the board celebrated Doyle’s leadership of the show choir and the choir’s success in competitions this year.
In the final part of the presentation Lancaster Elementary School music teacher Hannah Hobson reminded the board that “everything starts with the littles.”
Ossian Elementary School music teacher Kati Jones, who started in the position in January, was unable to attend, but Hobson highlighted several successful concerts and outreach programs between the schools. Both teachers will implement a new curriculum, Music GamePlan, in the coming school year.
The teachers also said they needed time for K-12 planning for the music department, as well as updates to the high school auditorium and someone appointed to manage the auditorium. The board did not vote on anything but thanked the teachers for their hard work and time.
holly@news-banner.com
