1/23/2015 8:32:00 AM Gansett Embraces Music Districts Corner Ruth Miller Narragansett Regional School District has the top performing arts and music program in the area. Our students have consistently received awards and recognition for competitions at the local and state level. Some of the recent participation and awards include: Middle School Music Six Flags New England May 2014: NMS Advanced Band/1st Place/ Excellent Rating; Best Jr. High/Middle School Concert Band Overall; NMS Chorus/ third place/Excellent rating; Jazz Band/ fourth place; High School Music Virginia Beach Music Festival 2014, the band received an Excellent rating; annual participation in the MICCA Marching Band and Concert Band Festivals; Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2014 and will appear again in 2015; also appeared in the Winchendon and Littleton anniversary celebration parades as well as annual appearances in the Orange Fall Festival Parade, Barre Christmas Parade and the Templeton Jack Frost Festival Parade; High School Theater Participation in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild since 2002, with the middle school participating since 2011, 2014 we received two all-star cast awards, hosted the Middle School Festival in 2014, as well at the High School Festival in 2005 and 2007; participants in the Theater at the Mount High School Musical Theater Awards (TAMYs) since 2007 with awards for Best Lobby in 2012-14; we also hope to bring back the Annual Dinner Theater this spring. But music, art and theater are not solely about awards and recognition; it is about commitment, hard work, talent and academic achievement. According to Children’s Music Workshop, “Music classes offer many benefits which make them very indispensable. Performance programs enhance a student’s sense of self-esteem as well as their social skills. Students become a part of a positive group and organization. Not only do students profit socially from music programs, but they also gain academically.” Several studies have confirmed that music directly enhances learning through increased spatial development. Math and reading are improved by learning rhythms and decoding notes and symbols. So, there appears to be cross disciplinary learning in music. It is proven that SAT scores of students who took part in music instruction surpassed students with no music training. Data collected from students taking the SAT indicated that students taking music and arts averaged scores that were higher than non-music students by 60 points on the verbal section and 43 points on the math section. Additionally, data revealed that for every year a student participated in music instruction, their SAT scores improved. Students with four or more years of music study received an average score of about 544, as opposed to a score just above 482 for those with half of at least one semester of music instruction; thus showing a strong correlation between music and academic success. (Source: The College Board, Profile of College- Bound Seniors National Report for 2001). At Narragansett, we embrace the connection between the arts and social emotional and academic success. Students start in kindergarten with regular rigorous music and art instruction. By middle school, students are taking music lessons during the school day. In addition to the lessons we have Chorus, Band and Jazz Band for grades 6, 7 and 8. Our teachers are talented, and the music is second-to-none in the area. When entering high school, students have options that include Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Music Theory, Stage Design and Art classes that span over a four year period and prepare them with a rich portfolio for college entrance. Each year the Theater group performs a musical. On Jan. 30th, 31 and Feb. 1 they will be performing “Seussical.” This wonderful story is fun, entertaining and will capture the hearts of all those who come. The cast is a mix of middle and high school students. The students do everything from acting, to set designers, technology crew, and marketing the production. Each year the performances attract more students and families. At Narragansett, we focus on academics, but understand the importance of art and music as a vehicle for academic success. Please come and see for yourself on Jan. 30-31 or Feb. 1. I promise that you will be thoroughly entertained and recognize the quality of music and confidence of our students.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 13:49:34 +0000
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