Great Salt Bay, Damariscotta – John Morneau
The music program here at GSB is phenomenal! We have a spectacular band program, directed by John Morneau. They just had their Winter Concert last Friday, and it was fantastic! The choral and general music program is taught by Anne-Marie D’Amico. This includes a community group called “Common Threads” which involves parents, students, & teachers, of a wide range of ages, like, 4? to 70ish? Her concerts are quite an experience (kinda like a great church service). Then we ALSO have a strings program, which also has a community part: an orchestra. This program is completely funded through our wonderful PTO (I think anyway. I know they contribute.) That is all very impressive for a K-8 school of 400+ kids, and it’s a big part of what makes Great Salt Bay such an amazing place. When teachers, students, and parents collaborate to make music together, what could be more lovely than that?! It really is impressive, and the quality of each program is absolutely spectacular.
Thank you to GSB art teacher Karen Hight for sending me this information.
Van Buren, SAD #24 – Barbara Corliss Burrill
Barbara Corliss Burrill, music instructor at Van Buren (SAD #24) has taken a dying (dead) music program and this year sent 17 students to THE ALL AROOSTOOK MUSIC FESTIVAL and has at least one student in serious contention for ALL STATE. She is energetic, she seeks help and pays out of her pocket for other musicians to help her music students. It really is an incredible turn around. I’ll forward her email address if you wish.
me arts ed 