Collaboration in a Classroom

By Terry Schommer

Lunch or chamber music? Given the choice between eating and learning music, many Monticello High School students prove they would really rather learn.

"No Child Left Behind," a recent White House initiative to improve American schools, and new state testing requirements are making more demands on an already too-short school day for music students at Monticello High School. With fewer periods in the day because of mandates like these, some of the students in the school’s popular chamber music program have had to choose between getting a lunch period or going to a chamber music class.

Ann Trombley, music teacher and director of the highly unusual program, says that Monticello is a "well-supported district, so it’s not a question of funding or interest. It’s scheduling. Kids are giving up their lunch periods to be here, and none of them have to be here. Chamber music is an elective."

Impressive enough is the very existence of a public high school chamber music program in an age of widespread cutbacks in America’s school arts programs, never mind an optional music program of this size. Of the 1,100 or so students enrolled at MHS, it’s extraordinary that four percent of them choose to sign up for chamber music just because they want to.

At one time, there were 44 students in the program, but numbers are slightly lower this year. Thirty-seven young people play in one of 10 small ensembles, ranging in size from duo to quintet, and they manage to squeeze in a chomp or two of a sandwich before rehearsals in order to do it.

Why is the program so popular? It might have something to do with the dedication of the two high school music teachers in charge. Though Trombley is modest about her work, she is a talented, high-energy, ‘jack-of-all-trades’ sort of person in the music department, alternating quickly between her roles as general music teacher, chamber coach and mother hen, offering music students the occasional after school snack.

Trombley co-teaches the chamber groups and advanced placement theory classes with MHS orchestra director Nancy Wegrzyn, who arranges and composes some of the pieces the students learn. The Creatures, in fact, named themselves after her original composition, "Fantasy Creatures."

Chamber music’s popularity at MHS might also be because parents encourage their children to sign up. "Because they know it’s a safe space to be here in the building," says Trombley.

On the other hand, the program’s success might have something to do with the young musicians’ own excitement and the sense of accomplishment they experience by meeting the challenges chamber music presents.

"We use chamber music to get them to listen," says Trombley. "They become better readers and they play with more confidence."

Wegrzyn has noted dramatic improvements overall in the orchestra, too, because some of its members participate in chamber music sessions.

Commitment comes from the community, as well, in the form of flutist Judith Pearce and the musicians of the Weekend of Chamber Music. Pearce’s annual summer chamber music festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Sullivan County.

Pearce and Trombley figure this is the eighth year of the collaboration between WCM and the school’s young people. From November to May, Pearce and some of her colleagues make periodic trips to Monticello High School to offer the students a professional coaching experience.

Several weeks ago clarinetist Evan Spritzer, violist Lois Martin and Pearce put the Brass Boys, the Tok Alots (yes, they do talk a lot), the Fun Spoons, the Dim. Ritards (a play on musical terms), and the Creatures through their musical paces, readying for the shared performance with their mentors on May 15 in the school’s new band room. The coaches pulled no punches in 30- to 40-minute sessions that seemed to fly by, and judging from the results, the students seemed to love it.

"It’s like you’re talking and no one’s listening! You have to keep the audience interested," prodded Martin. "Let’s just do something different…oh well no, it didn’t work, did it? It’s too noble a melody…let the music dictate how you play…always listen to harmony…let the harmony be your guide."

After another try with a little more concentration and expression, the Fun Spoons triumphed.

"Are we convinced yet?" interrogated Spritzer, exhorting the Brass Boys to anticipate each other more. "Keep the blend as you crescendo. Music is more than just reading notes…you have to keep thinking and digging!"

Pearce also kept the pressure up that day with her groups.

"Go right into the middle of the note," she directed the Creatures. "Stay together. Balance the tone…don’t compromise tone quality."

The tension eased briefly in of one of Pearce’s sessions when Spritzer poked his head into her room. She quickly recruited him to demonstrate how to use the tongue in a staccato passage to a student struggling to get it on her own clarinet.

"It’s staccato playing here …the notes are too long," she instructed, and the coaching didn’t let up until the proper sound finally just popped right out.

The coaches return to the school until they’ve worked with all of the students. This is the first year that all 37 musicians will be strutting their musical stuff in concert, though, joining WCM players on a varied program.

Pearce and friends will perform a Telemann quartet, music by Rachmaninoff and Clarke, and will offer a little chamber music improv as well.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10, and free for students 18 and under. For information or tickets, call WCM at 932-8414 or 932-8527. For more information, log on to www.wcmconcerts.org.