The ConVal School District has announced the return of the middle school instrumental and choral programs for the coming school year.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, Great Brook and South Meadow Middle Schools paused the instrumental and choral programs. Music teachers taught general music, including music history, theory and technology, but students were unable to participate in performing groups.
This school year, students will have the opportunity to participate in the instrumental, choral or general music programs as a part of the Unified Arts Rotation, which allows students to experience several disciplines. The district plans to alter the regular class schedule so that students have music classes five days a week.
Students in these classes develop the skills needed for successful careers in music, including teamwork, focus, confidence, discipline and active listening. According to the National Association for Music Education, students with three or more years of instrumental music training show enhanced auditory discrimination, fine motor, vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning skills.
To ensure the safety of students and staff, the district will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the International Coalition of Performing Arts and the state. When indoors, band and chorus students will be required to maintain a social distance of three feet, wear a mask and use instrument bell covers to limit the spread of airborne particles. The district will utilize outdoor spaces to practice whenever possible.
For more information about the South Meadow School Instrumental program, email Ed Lowy at elowy@conval.edu. For more information about the SMS choral program, email Elizabeth Fortin at efortin@conval.edu.
For more information about the Great Brook School Instrumental program, email Jahna Moncrief at moncriefj@conval.edu. For more information about the GBS choral program, email Patrick Cogan at pcogan@conval.edu.