Middle School
This Wednesday, under the direction of music teachers Catherine Leto-Carboy and John Grimsley, second semester middle school music students strutted their stuff for Spring Music Day (first semester music students performed in January).
The event is the culmination of the Rock Band curriculum. Not only did students learn to play an instrument and perform in an ensemble, they also learned social skills like cooperation and supporting bandmates. At the beginning of the semester, the bands formed and the students chose a song to rehearse and perform. Each band selected a name and designed a logo. (The creativity in band names and logos and the diversity of musical taste was evident in the Music Day program.) Wednesday’s audience was treated to selections ranging from “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish to “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones. It was hard to tell who was having more fun—the audience or the performers.
Catherine said, “It is amazing to see the finished product after the students put in so much work. Most come to us with little or no experience on their instrument, and by the end of the semester, they are professional musicians. The students take such pride in their work and it shows. We are so thrilled about what they have accomplished!”
John added, “My favorite part of this day is how much the students support one another. They surprise their friends by volunteering to be the lead singer or nailing a guitar solo or even just being brave by playing an instrument they’d never touched before! It’s nice to have all of the grades playing together after a long two and a half years, and we can’t wait to bring the parents back next year.”
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