In the Classroom: Middle School Music Program

NEW!

In the Music Classrooms The reviews are in!

Norwood’s middle school music teachers reflect on how their spacious new classrooms are enhancing creative teaching opportunities, as well as elevating the learning and performance experiences for students.

hen Norwood expanded from sixth grade to eighth grade in 1998 and a year later opened the new Middle School Building, a music education program was developed as a signature component of the overall curriculum— a decision that aligned with one of Frances Marsh’s guiding philosophies. “Music, art, and literature are the foundation on which the academic skills are built,” she said. Today, nearly 25 years after the expansion to eighth grade, the middle school music program is more robust than ever.

In fact, you could say that the program is bursting at the seams. “During the past few years, it has been clear that the middle school music ensembles—band, strings, choir, and handbells—had outgrown their spaces,” said Head of School Matthew Gould. As the program grew, the classrooms became less than ideal for running the performancebased program. Choir and drama shared the same space; the strings room was tucked behind the faculty workroom; and the band room was in some ways an extension of our lunch and gathering space.

All that changed at the start of the 2022-2023 school year when Norwood completed a significant renovation of the first floor of the Middle School Building, which included all new classrooms for the music ensembles. “Even though we were all on the same floor before the renovation, we were quite isolated on different parts of the floor,” said Max Nolin, seventh- and eighth-grade choir and handbells teacher (and also middle school dean of students). “And we never had the space to combine ensembles.” >

Stephen Czarkowski with 7/8 strings students. The new music classrooms have been a game-changer for the ways music teachers communicate and collaborate. Band teacher Joe Cunliffe, whose previous classroom was adjacent to the Cohen Common Room (middle school lunchroom), is thrilled to be closer to the action—and farther away from lunch trays and chatter! “We now have formed the ‘performing arts hallway’ where collaboration is easily facilitated between all middle school music ensembles,” he said.

This collaboration was already in the works when, over the summer, Joe and strings teacher Stephen Czarkowski joined forces on a special professional development project that involved compiling a collection of musical works to be played in a combination band/strings setting. When they returned to campus in September, they were able to use the new classroom spaces to mix ensembles in all kinds of creative combinations.

Norwood believes that music gives students an outlet for creativity, personal expression, and individual uniqueness. Music education

is also a powerful vehicle for connecting students to different cultures. At the middle school level, students are presented with opportunities for greater responsibility as a valuable member of an ensemble, as well as a greater sense of purpose knowing they have to work together toward a common goal, especially when preparing for a concert.

With performance being an integral part of the Norwood music experience, the music classrooms are important rehearsal venues. “To me, that is where the real magic takes place,” said Stephen. “Yes, I enjoy performances, but I especially love seeing students learning new music and understanding it.” When running rehearsals, music teachers now have the flexibility to set up chairs and choral risers to reflect an actual concert arrangement. In addition, the band room’s open floor plan allows for a permanent percussion set-up, and there is finally enough space in the strings room for musicians to explore a full bow trajectory without bumping elbows.

Speaking of trajectory, it’s clear that the middle school music program is on a great one. The new classrooms have reenergized the program, expanded creative teaching opportunities, and enhanced the ways in which students explore and appreciate music. Teachers agree that it has been both exciting and rewarding to have the freedom to create the music spaces of their dreams, ones that reflect and express their unique teaching styles.

“We as music educators feel the support of the entire Norwood community,” said Joe. “Each day, I feel energized and inspired to try innovative ideas and to create exciting and enriching band classes that expand upon my unique teaching methods and philosophies.”

Teachers and students aren’t the only winners here. The entire Norwood community will benefit as audience members at upcoming concerts and performances, including the always-impressive Grandparents and Special Guests Day Concert, this year on November 22, and the Winter Concert on December 14. The renovated classrooms have given teachers and students the space to stretch their wings, and we can look forward to watching them soar!

“Each day, I feel energized and inspired to try innovative ideas and to create exciting and enriching band classes that expand upon my unique teaching methods and

philosophies.” -joe cunliffe, band teacher

UPCOMING CONCERTS:

GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL GUESTS DAY CONCERT November 22, 2022

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINTER CONCERT December 14, 2022