Music in Our Schools Month is alive and well in the Moultonborough School District. With the return of the musical and the music department preparing for the spring concerts, students are actively challenging themselves and advancing their skillsets.
“For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.
The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.”
–https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/music-in-our-schools-month-miosm/
To celebrate and recruit for the upcoming year, the MA Chorus went to MCS to do a choral exchange. The exchange included warm-ups, learning a song by rote, a performance from the MA Chorus, and a Q&A session.
MaryEllen Connell, Music Teacher at Moultonborough Central School- “Our 4-5 Chorus at MCS had a special treat! Mrs. Forest brought her high school chorus to do a workshop with us as part of the Music in Our Schools Month celebration. MCS singers learned the song Bring Me Little Water, Silvy- then the MCS chorus and HS chorus all sang together. There were many questions for Mrs. Forest and her singers. It was clear that there is lots of interest in joining the middle school chorus next year! Thank you Mrs. Forest and the High School Chorus for a wonderful morning!”
Emma Forest, Music Teacher at Moultonborough Academy- “It was truly wonderful to see all the 4th and 5th graders smiling and engaged in the work we were doing with them. So many hands went up when we asked who wanted to do chorus next year. I’m so thankful that our students are in an environment where music is appreciated and has the opportunity to grow further!”
Adam Watson (featured in the picture above) a senior involved in chorus, band, and studio music says- “Music is important to me because it’s one of the things I truly enjoy doing. It’s great to be able to make music with friends. Music definitely helps bring people together. I think that general music, chorus, and band are fundamental parts of our school and should continue to be in the future.”
Currently, Mr Larrabee is working on rebuilding the marching band program. “We are training a drum major and gearing up for the Memorial Day Parade. We are also continuing to work on pieces for the spring concert and general music is working on a bucket drumming composition.”
Music Educators of Moultonborough School District, left to right: Emma Forest: 6-12 choral and general music, MaryEllen Connell: elementary music, Devon Larrabee: 6-12 band and general music
