By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
Music and cheer filled Auten Road Intermediate School’s auditorium Dec. 6, as parents and students came to see their teachers perform holiday pieces at the Grand Staff Ensemble’s winter concert.
Composed of teachers, principals and staff members from all district schools, the Grand Staff Ensemble hosts two public concerts per year, as well as playing for the district’s new teachers during teacher orientation.
”I wanted to create an advocacy group for music in the district,” said Nancy Gallagher, Auten Road Intermediate School instrumental music teacher who formed the group in 1996. “Playing music is a life skill. You don’t have to play in an orchestra to play your instrument your whole life.”
The group recruits new musicians through the concert for new teachers, as well as sending teachers an information pamphlet that teachers distribute at staff meetings. According to Ms. Gallagher, current members occasionally enlist new members by bringing the new members to the group’s practices.
The Ensemble rehearses approximately eight weeks before each performance, and features district teacher’s instrumental and vocal talents. Though newer members might be nervous at their first rehearsal, Ms. Gallagher said the group’s attitude quickly relaxes new members.
”We laugh a lot,” said Ms. Gallagher. “We love being together, performing, and helping kids.”
The group also provides a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior pursuing music; the group raises the money through admission fees at their concerts.
”I think it’s great for the students to come and see us play, and see that we’re not just musicians in the classroom, but outside as well,” said Kelly Gorel, Auten Road Intermediate School vocal music teacher. “All the teachers here are good friends. We just love playing together.”
Though many of the teachers played their instruments for years before joining the Ensemble, it offers teachers an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with their instruments, or to learn new instruments.
”At the time, I was returning to my trombone after almost 15 years of not playing,” said Woodfern School teacher Deborah Burns, who joined the group when it began. “I didn’t even own my own instrument at the time but borrowed one from the instrumental department of my school. Many of the participants in that early ensemble were just beginning to play their instruments and were learning side by side with students in their respective buildings. We often share memories of our first performance opportunity in the fall of 1996 when we could play only one medley of holiday songs very, very slowly!”
”I had never played an instrument when I was young, and it was something I always wanted to do,” said Woodfern School Principal Matt Hoffman, who plays the clarinet and occasionally sings. “I enjoy being in the group because we have many laughs and it is great to perform with such talented people.”
