Camden – Music sang from the hills
I had the chance to stop in last Friday at Camden-Rockport Middle School during the band and chorus rehearsal for the District III 7th and 8th grade honors festival. I was so impressed with the focus and engagement of the students and it was clear to me that the teachers had so much to do with how prepared the students were for the event.
Congratulations and thank you to music educators Allysa Anderson, Emily Widdoes and Jason Ward for hosting the event! I understand that their organization throughout the event was top notch. And speaking of organized, congratulations to managers Tracy Wright, chorus, and Margie Landis, band, for doing a spectacular job.
On Saturday I had a chance to attend the performances at Camden Hills Regional High School. There wasn’t one empty seat in the 800 seat Strom Auditorium. The students were outstanding and they were clearly enjoying themselves. Several of the teachers accompanied the singing that made it more special.
Both conductors were especially complimentary about the preparedness of the students and what a joy it was to work with them. Band conductor Charlie Seymour, who was a music teacher in the Camden district for many years, was thrilled to return to the familiar stage. And, chorus conductor from Thornton Academy, Camille Saucier was so fun to watch during practice and the performance. She clearly understands middle school students and the importance of connecting with them. What fun music and what fun watching and listening! I wasn’t the only one who appreciated the work since both groups got standing ovations!
On top of the students learning and working together so were the music teachers. When I stopped in on Friday the music teachers were involved in professional development on the iPad being facilitated by Boothbay Region’s, Meredith Duke. Meredith has the blog Easily Distracted Band Teacher which you can link to from the right side of the blog in the Blogroll.
me arts ed 