March is Music in Our Schools Month
As families and community members, we often only see the results of student music performances; however, music educators dedicate themselves to working with students through practices and rehearsals, pushing students further. Enumclaw School District is proud to honor our music, choir, band, and orchestra teachers and the impact they have daily.
Lucinda Means, Music Teacher at Southwood Elementary School, shares her passion for witnessing the power of music with her students. "One of my favorite things about teaching music is seeing how it transforms students. Music helps them express themselves, work together, and grow as individuals. It's amazing to watch them light up as they discover their own musical talents and become more confident along the way."
Similarly, Timothy Hager-Wentz, band instructor at Enumclaw Middle School (EMS) and Enumclaw High School (EHS), emphasizes the sense of community and personal growth within his program. "I love band in Enumclaw. We have created a community of student musicians who excel at building each other up… and who work together to create something bigger than themselves…I get to work with students who have taught me to be open-minded and to think critically about music and its impact on the community."
Amelia Keeting from Westwood Elementary echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the joy of guiding students in discovering their musical passions. "I love teaching elementary music because I get to help my students discover what they love about music, whether that's singing, dancing, or playing an instrument! It is the best!"
The month kicked off with all schools across Black Diamond and Enumclaw united for the All-District Choir, Band, and Orchestra Concerts. This year was particularly special, with the largest group of participating students ever! Kibler Elementary alone had 70 - 4th and 5th grade students join voices with students from the other ESD schools, marking a significant milestone in community collaboration and musical excellence. It was the first time in many years that all five elementary schools were represented, highlighting the collective dedication to nurturing musical talent across our district.
As we celebrate "Music in Our Schools Month," let's take a moment to appreciate the invaluable role of music educators and the profound impact of music education on the lives of our students. For more information on the importance of music in schools, visit the National Association of Music Education website at https://nafme.org/
