It’s an amazing sound when you put together 150 music students who have studied their musical scores, practiced endless hours, and pay close attention to their instructors. And so it was on June 10 when Rochester Memorial School hosted the 23rd annual summer concert, a syncopated collaboration between this local school and the elementary schools of Martha’s Vineyard.
Larry Stone, retired musical director from Martha’s Vineyard, used to fly to work everyday from his Acushnet home to the school on the Vineyard where he was the music teacher. He was familiar with RMS and, in a moment of inspiration, imagined a program that would bring together the music students from Vineyard elementary schools with those from Rochester, giving the students a richer musical experience. That was 23 years ago – 23 wonderful years of music education and just plain fun.
RMS Music Instructor Christine Williamson, whose long tenure at RMS is also 23 years, said, “It’s a cool thing for the kids to play their instrument with other students, make new friends, enhance the learning experience…” She said the annual concert is a highlight of the school year for all the students and teachers at RMS.
As the students prepared for the concert, the music instructors took turns going over various pieces of music reminding the musicians, “Cymbals, you are the most important part,” or, “Tubas, don’t run away from us,” or simply clapping out the beat, “One and two and three and four.”
The Vineyard schools participate in year-round fundraising, Stone said, that allows the students to travel to Rochester. About every two years, the Rochester students visit the vineyard, Williamson said.
The students played eight pieces – ranging from classical to contemporary – that entertained the entire school while demonstrating the full range of their musical chops. Bravo!
By Marilou Newell