Transforming a School System Through the Arts
Published - February 2004
Webberville Community Schools is making a commitment to improve and expand our fine arts programs. As an outcome of our strategic planning last fall, the strategic planning committee identified the fine arts as one of our top priorities for our school system. We asked what we could do this year to start the process of achieving a new standard of excellence. When surveying the current status of our fine arts classrooms and equipment we decided there needed to be some changes.
Change began as we remodeled our middle/high school band and choir room during Christmas break. The room was painted and Wenger Band Risers and Wenger Chairs were purchased. The risers will help the instructor better hear all of the instruments and voices. In addition, the instructor will be able to see that the students are properly positioning themselves and their instruments. The Wenger chairs ensure that the students have proper posture when singing or playing their instruments. The net result will be better rehearsals. Mr. Don Hyvarinen, Webberville Band Director, commented “The new risers have made it easier to physically see what students are doing well, where they may be struggling, and the ability to hear individual students. Having the students on risers enables the sound to come straight at me which allows for mistakes to be corrected faster than ever before.” The Wenger risers were put in both the elementary and middle/high school music rooms.
Secondly, the district purchased a variety of new instruments for the music program with more to come in the future. To further enhance instruction, sound systems will be installed that will have recording capabilities. The commitment of the district to elevate the arts was further displayed by the addition of a baby grand piano for both the elementary and the middle/high school music rooms. “The baby grand piano and the other equipment that the band is receiving is further proof that the music program will be provided with the best equipment. I believe that the band will continue to improve because we have been given the best, and we must now become the best!” stated Mr. Hyvarinen.
Dr. William C. Skilling, Webberville Superintendent, commented “The reason the district made these changes is simple. If we expect our students to achieve excellence, then we first must demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing them with the best resources we possibly can. We need to demonstrate also that we value them and what they contribute to our school.”
Many students have stated how much they have appreciated this renewed commitment to the arts. They have stated their rehearsals are better and they look forward even more to going to class. “A new enthusiasm is building in the music program. Students are observing a major investment into their education and success. The school board and administration have made it possible to physically see the genuine care and concern that they have invested in our students and in our music program.” said Mr. Hyvarinen.
Even with all the new additions to the music program, the district is not stopping there. The next step to improving the performing arts is to expand the opportunities for our students. Currently, we have a 7-12 grade combined choir that meets before school. For the 2004-2005 school year the school district has made a commitment to hire a choir director so that we can have 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th grade choirs, a high school men’s chorus and a high school women’s chorus.
As a result of hiring a new choir director, Mr. Hyvarinen will be able to add fifth grade band starting next fall. This change will enable our students to have band for four-years by the time they start high school. This will make our high school bands even better. Another change that is coming will be the addition of Jazz band for our students in high school who want to learn a different style of play. Mr. Hyvarinen commented “Jazz band will provide students with a further opportunity to expand their musical tastes and expose them to yet another genre of music. There are much larger schools that do not offer jazz band, but it is happening in Webberville because we have an administration and a staff that care deeply about providing this opportunity for our students.”
In the near future, the district has plans to start an orchestra program as well. Next fall we will start with a club orchestra that meets after school. When our numbers grow we will add orchestra to our K – 12 music programs.
To complete our commitment to the fine arts, the visual arts are being addressed as well. Two-years ago the school board and administration decided to upgrade our visual arts programs by building a new 2D/3D art classroom. This new art classroom will be ready for the fall. In addition, we will have a graphic arts/multimedia art classroom. This room will provide our students with the ability to learn graphic arts and to learn how to do multimedia animation.
Webberville Community Schools is standing behind our commitment to our students and community to improve our fine arts program. The net result of all these changes will be a greater appreciation for the arts, improved student performance across the curriculum and students will be proud to be a part of the Webberville Community Schools arts program as they establish a new standard of excellence.