WSMA Biannual Update - Spring 2023
Wallingford Swarthmore Music Association
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF WSSD MUSIC!
What is WSMA?
The Wallingford-Swarthmore Music Association (WSMA) is a group of parents and music educators who support the WSSD Music Department. We seek to improve the inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility of music programming in the district through communication, outreach, fundraising, and programmatic support. Our main initiatives are the Heart Strings Program and the Concert Closet. We maintain a list of Frequently Asked Questions on our WSMA WEBSITE to help those new to the WSSD community to best access the district's many outstanding music offerings. In addition, the WSMA supports the George Slick Fellowship and Jack Hontz Foundation.
Where to Find More Info About the WSSD Music Program?
If you have questions on….
- How to start learning an instrument
- Where and what kinds of instruments are appropriate for students
- If you are looking for a private music teacher
- What are the music opportunities for my child
- How can I request a scholarship for a district related music activity or class?
You can find that information through any of these ways:
- Reach out to your WSMA Grade Rep or any of the officers.
- Contact WSSD Music Dept Chair, John Shankweiler or your school's music faculty.
- Check out the FAQ on WSMA WEBSITE.
- Visit our WSMA FACEBOOK PAGE.
Thanks to our WSMA Grade Reps for representing the music interests in each of our schools! We appreciate their time and efforts in helping us advocate for WSSD music programs.
FROM OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
NPE Winter Orchestra Concert
NPE Winter Band Concert
NPE at PMEA Elementary Chorus Fest
Nether Providence Elementary (NPE)
Winter 2023 has been a fun time at NPE! In music classes, students have finished up the combined Dance/Drums Alive unit. PE teacher Don Buscaglia and Music teacher Jane Urban have combined classes to learn new dances and then routines for Drums Alive. Even some of the classroom teachers joined in the fun! The week before the Super Bowl, 3rd-5th grades had fun playing "Fly Eagles, Fly" on their ukuleles.
March is PMEA District 12 Fest season. Four students represented NPE at the Elementary Chorus Fest on March 2nd. Two students went to String Fest March 8th, and Band Fest will be held March 28th.
5th Grade Chorus, Select Chorus, Advanced Orchestra and Advanced Band all performed a wonderful concert on January 26th. We’re looking forward to 2 Spring Concerts, May 17th and May 24th. The 5th grade chorus is also looking forward to singing the National Anthem at the Blue Rocks stadium on Tuesday, June 13th.
SRS 5th Grade Band play "Fly Eagles Fly" at SRS Pep Rally
Swarthmore Rutledge School (SRS)
The SRS Orchestra and 5th Grade Band under the direction of Kara Suarez as well as the Chorus under the direction of Dawn Mason-Ovalle performed their Winter Concert on December 15th for an auditorium full of family and friends. They were excited to perform all together for the first time since before the pandemic.
The 5th Grade Band showed their Super Bowl enthusiasm by playing “Fly Eagles Fly” at the SRS pep rally in February. They will also be featured during the Swarthmore Arbor Day Celebration, where they will perform “This Land Is Your Land.”
In March, Eloise Zigon (violin) and Colton Smulyan (cello) represented SRS at the 5/6 String Fest, which was held at E.T. Richardson Middle School in Springfield.
The SRS Spring Concerts will be held on May 10th and 11th. The Beginning Strings and Beginning Band students will perform on the 10th, while the Orchestra, 5th Grade Band, and Chorus will perform the following evening on the 11th.
Ukulele Playdate with Kindergarten Buddies
Ukulele Playdate with Kindergarten Buddies
WOE Percussion Ensemble
Wallingford Elementary School (WES)
Joanne Haley’s WES 5th grade chorus and WOE percussion ensemble had their winter concert in December. We would like to thank Mrs. Marge Waltman for all of her help these past years! Marge has been our chorus accompanist and has shared her time and talent with us for several years, but she is ready for retirement. We will miss you Marge!
The month of March, the 4th graders celebrated the end of their ukulele unit with a Ukulele Playdate with Kindergarten buddies. They will be paired up with a Kindergartener and will play and sing through their songs and teach their buddies how to hold and strum the ukulele (pictures from last year above). This music activity is a great experience for both our 4th grade mentors and the kindergarten students.
WES 5th graders have been doing such a great job on their ukulele project that we decided to add a ukulele song to our spring choral concert!
The WES Band and Orchestra under the direction of Joe Greenhalgh had a great performance at the WES winter concert on December 14th. Along with traditional and contemporary band and string pieces, the ensembles performed winter favorites like Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and Tchaikivsky’s Trepak from “The Nutcracker.” The groups are already hard at work on their spring concert music, and beginner ensembles have started to play together for their first large-group musical experiences.
WES violinists Andrianna Ho and Ellie An did a great job at the PMEA District 12 5/6 String Fest on March 8th at E.T. Richardson Middle School in the Springfield School District. They rehearsed all day under guest conductor Andrew Hauze and performed a concert that evening.
Band Fest will be held on March 28th. WES students in attendance will be Zach Chen on flute, Jacey Weeks on flute, Jacob Knaub on clarinet, and Andrew Benzing on horn.
The WES Spring Instrumental Concert will be on Wednesday, May 17th at 7PM.
WES Winter Orchestra & Band Concert
Joe Greenhalgh with WES 5th graders at PMEA 5/6 Band Fest
Haley Lombard with NPE 5th graders at PMEA 5/6 Band Fest
Ally Williams with SHMS 6th graders at PMEA 5/6 Band Fest
FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
SHMS Music Faculty: James McLaughlin, Ally Williams & Sarah Elsheakh
SHHS/SHMS Band Night @ King Field
WSMA Inaugural March-Off Winners: Class of 2027 & NPE
SHMS Winter Cantabile Concert
SHMS 8th Grade Winter Band Concert
SHMS 7/8 Winter Orchestra Concert
8th Grade Chorus at CADES for SHMS MLK Day of Service
Strath Haven Middle School (SHMS)
Our SHMS student musicians are under the direction of Sarah Elsheakh with 7th and 8th Grade Choirs, Cantabile, Musical; Allyson Williams with all grade Bands, Ellington Jazz Band, and 6th Grade Orchestra; James McLaughlin with Basie Jazz Band and Modern Band; and John Shankweiler with 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra.
There have been SO many highlights so far this school year for SHMS music. WSSD Band Night took place in October, where a combined 500 students from grades 6-12 took King Field for a performance before the SHHS Homecoming Game.
All instrumental ensembles concluded the fall semester in 3 successful concerts in the beginning of December. Winter was off to a strong start with students representing SHMS at a number of PMEA and community music festivals, and performances including 8th grade chorus at CADES in Swarthmore in honor of MLK and his commitment to service in the community.
Members of the 7th & 8th Grade String Orchestra who were selected and performed at the 7/8 PMEA String Fest were: Josh Lund, Sophia Shao, Juliette Loyd, Richard Kim, Kate Susek, Asha Miller, Lucy Newton.
Members of the 7th & 8th Grade Chorus who were selected to perform at the 7/8 PMEA Chorus Fest were Leah Reece, Delaney O'Reilly, Brendan Hogg, Jack Davies and Scott Snyder
SHMS Band Students selected for the Delaware County Middle School Band Festival were: Elsie Staley-Bischoff, Kay Liberi, Brendan Godo, Frankie Griffin, Maisie Sentivan, Hannah Kille, Jonah Wimmer, Carter Grunseich, Reina Ohtani, Brendan Hogg, Abi Kandula, Roland Rennick-Zuefle, Caroline Boerth, Ethan Ross, Ryan Schofield, Juliette Loyd, Matthew Traverso, Izyan Weljie, Joe Satterthwaite, Kate Susek, Luca D'Andrea, Conrad Nuschke, Zeb Smithey
February was a busy month at SHMS with the popular run of Shrek the Musical, featuring almost 175 students in the cast, crew, and pit, in addition to dozens of adult volunteers. It was once again an amazing performance.
Ellington Jazz and SHMS Pep Bands were both featured at the Annual Faculty vs Student basketball game on Feb 16th.
Congratulations to all of our middle school musicians for all of their hard work and amazing performances!
Other recent music events at SHMS included Jazz Fest on 3/3 at Indian Crest MS (see video HERE), Jazz Fest on 3/10 at SHMS, PMEA 5/6 String Fest on 3/6, and PMEA 5/6 Band Fest on 3/28. Coming up is WSSD Jazz Night on April 26th at SHHS, and Spring Fine & Applied Arts Nights on May 2nd, 4th, 9th.
SHMS at PMEA 7/8 String Fest
SHMS at Delaware County Honor Band
SHMS at PMEA 7/8 Chorus Fest
Shrek the Musical
SHMS Pep Band at Basketball Night
SHMS Ellington Jazz Band at 1st Jazz Fest
FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL
SHHS Winter Orchestra Concert
SHHS Winter Choral Concert
SHHS at PMEA Region Chorus
Strath Haven High School (SHHS) HIGHLIGHTS
A large contingent of Haven students earned places in the PMEA Districts Band, Orchestra, and Chorus festivals with many moving on to the Region level. Read more here.
Dae Taylor ’23 (alto saxophone), Nathan Sepinwall ’24 (percussion), and Gavin John ’23 (horn), are now All-State musicians. They were selected from hundreds of talented instrumental music students from over 500 Pennsylvania School Districts and Private Schools who auditioned and participated in the PMEA ( Pennsylvania Music Educators Association). They will work with nationally recognized conductors April 20-22, 2023 at The Kalahari Conference Center in the Poconos.
The Silvertones are in full force. Read more here.
SHHS performed the musical Grease in March 2023 and the play Sense and Sensibility in November 2022. Read more here.
The Marching Band built on its return from Pandemic reductions with student leaders adapting leadership roles. Read more here.
The Silvertones, Cantata, Camerata, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Panther Jazz Band, and Modern Band are in good form. View a collection of some recent videos here.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @havenbandorch. Visit us online.
Backstage Crew for Fall Drama, "Sense and Sensibility"
Panther Marching Band & Bandfront
"Grease" the Spring Musical
SHHS at PMEA District Band Fest
SHHS at PMEA Region Orchestra
SHHS going from PMEA Region Band/Orchestra to All-States
WSMA & WSSD MUSIC IN THE COMMUNITY
WSMA at Panther Pajama Run
At the PJ Run, SHHS student ensembles performed for participants/runners before and during this event. Sax Quartet and Silvertones helped start off the event with lively music, and then the Pep Band played during the race encouraging people as they ran/walked the course.
WSMA Poinsettia Fundraiser
WSSD MLK Day of Service
WSMA WES 5th grade rep Sarah Cooper Searight teaching how to play the cello.
WSMA 9th grade rep Benning Wang teaching how to play the viola.
SHHS alum Katie Eng encouraging kids to try out the bells.
WSMA at DelCo Camp Fair at NPE
Snow Jam in Rutledge
WSMA Fundraiser at Iron Hill Brewery
Thanks to everyone who came out that night. We really packed it in at Iron Hill on a Tuesday evening! You all helped us raise $891.40 for WSMA- WOW!! It was a real treat for those who ate at the restaurant because they got to listen to a few SHHS student ensembles perform in-house. The Silvertones, Sax Quartet, and Modern Band "Duvet" gave fantastic live performances that were enjoyed by many!
MUSIC ADVOCACY ARTICLE BY HENRY PEARLBERG (recently retired WSSD Music Dept Chair)
Why Learning and Participating in Music Programs is Essential For Our Children and Community
Nearly everyone enjoys music, whether by listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. In Wallingford-Swarthmore School District all of our students study and participate in classroom music in grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade. In addition, over 70% of our elementary students choose to learn a musical instrument, and all of them participate in a choral experience by the time they graduate from 5th grade. Over 50% choose to participate in the wide variety of choral and instrumental ensembles at the middle and high school, as well as have the opportunity to choose music electives that range from learning about music and its impact on culture as well as learning how to perform, create and compose music honoring music theory and traditions from around the world as well as new and innovative concepts of the 21st century. WSSD student musicians have the opportunity to perform music in a variety of settings that include formal and informal concerts and assemblies both within and outside the WSSD community, as well as participate in music field trips that are educationally enriching.
The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District values music’s importance in the education of our students and endeavors to provide a world class music program to all of our district’s children that is inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible.
The vision of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District Music Department is that our exemplary music program provides every student a variety of opportunities taught by a collaborative staff and supported by a culturally engaged community.
Music has many benefits for our students, here are just a few:
Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds.
Students learn to improve their work: Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study.
Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.
A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement.
Kids stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.
Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.
Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with anxiety.
Students learn pattern recognition: Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun format.
Fine-tuned auditory skills: Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing elements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a baby’s cry. Students who practice music can have better auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise.
Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops a child’s imagination.
Music can be relaxing: Students can fight stress by learning to play music.
Musical instruments can teach discipline: Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a valuable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of learning with discipline to master playing their instrument.
Preparation for the creative economy: Investing in creative education can prepare students for the 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may grow faster than others in the future.
Development in creative thinking: Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may be more than one right answer.
Music can develop spatial intelligence: Students who study music can improve the development of spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures. Spatial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more.
Kids can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.
Responsible risk-taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches kids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their potential.
Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for students.
WSSD MUSIC FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
Joe Greenhalgh - Wallingford Elementary School (WES)
Joe has been teaching instrumental music at Wallingford Elementary School since 2002. Joe has earned his Bachelor of Music from Temple University and his Masters of Music from West Chester University. One of Joe’s fondest memories while teaching in WSSD is that two of his former students won the coveted honor of performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra through the Greenfield student soloist competition. Joe looks forward this year to returning of in-person rehearsals and concerts in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In Joe’s spare time, he works with musicians from around the world as an audio engineer.
Joanne M. Haley - Wallingford Elementary School (WES)
Joanne has been teaching classroom and choral music at Wallingford Elementary
School since 2002. Joanne is a graduate of Dickinson College, she has a teaching certificate from West Chester University, and a Masters from Westminster Choir College. A few of her highlights of the WES Music Program is the Wallingford Orff Ensemble, teaching ukulele, and having her students collaborate with one another on special music projects. A personal favorite musical memory of Joanne’s is performing at Lincoln Center with the Westminster Choir under the direction of Kurt Mazur.
Nicholas Pignataro - Strath Haven High School (SHHS)
Nick has been teaching instrumental music at SHHS since 2018. Previous to coming to WSSD, Nick taught elementary band at Pennell and Parkside Elementary Schools in Penn-Delco, and classroom music at St. Hilary of Poitiers School in Rydal. Nick has a degree in Music Education from Temple University. A Masters in Orchestral Conducting from West Chester University. Now is currently working on Masters in Music Education at Temple University.
One of Nick’s favorite musical memories at WSSD is the Strath Haven Symphony Orchestra giving the world premiere of Freyja's Chariot by Jordan Jinosko. Jordan flew in from Michigan for the performance and will return in May 2023 to hear our performance of her work Three Sketches for Unblemished Earth. Learn more about Jordan at www.jordanjinosko.com.
This year, Nick is enjoying re-creating our ensemble image in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pandemic has affected music programs everywhere and all of us are still reeling from the changes. Students, staff, and community members have a new appreciation for music following the years that ensembles were paused. Students are re-learning how to interact, to work hard within an ensemble, to show preparation, and to build citizenship!
John Shankweiler - WSSD Music Dept Chair; SHHS Choral Music and Theater Arts; SHMS Classroom Music and String Orchestra
UPCOMING MUSIC DEPT EVENTS
April
20-22 PMEA All State Honors Ensembles and Conference; Kalahari, PA
26 WSSD Jazz and Modern Band Night, 7:30PM @ SHHS
27 SHHS Varsity Arts
May
2 SHMS Spring Fine and Applied Arts Night Concert- 8th grade band, 7th band, 7/8 orchestra
4 SHMS Spring Fine and Applied Arts Night Concert- 8th grade chorus, 7th chorus, Cantabile
9 SHMS Spring Fine and Applied Arts Night Concert- 6th grade band, chorus, orchestra
10 WES Choral Concert
11 SRS Spring Choral and Instrumental Concert
12 SHMS @ High Note Festival
12 SHHS Jazz and Modern Band @ Rehoboth Jazz Festival
16 NPE Spring Instrumental Concert
17 WES Spring Instrumental Concert
18 SHHS Spring Instrumental Concert
24 NPE Choral Concert
25 SHHS Spring Choral Concert
30 WSMA Spring General Membership Meeting, 7PM @ SHHS
June
5 SHMS Music pool party @ Hidden Hollow
6 SHHS George Slick Fellowship Concert7 SHMS/SHHS perform at Dining Under The Stars in Media
Summer Music flyer (front)
Summer Music flyer (back)
Summer Music schedule
WSSD Summer Music Program Registration is OPEN!
Registration for the WSSD Summer Music has begun! All the information on program description & registration process is found in this WSSD Summer Music Program 2023 Brochure and Registration document.
This summer's schedule (June 26-July 20) has been arranged so that each instrument level will be on campus at SHMS for a 2.5hr session on either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Please check the link above for schedule details & you can register via this Google form.
Those students (8th-12th grades) who are interested in the teaching assistant positions, the application process will be posted by April 1st.
PANTHER MARCHING BAND CAMP DATES
Save the dates for SHHS Panther Marching Band Camp coming up in August:
* August 14-18: Leadership Camp, Silks Camp, Drumline Camp
* August 18: New Band Student Orientation
* August 21-25: Full Band Camp
Don't forget to check out our WSMA Facebook page for up-to-date pictures and videos of the latest happenings and throwback posts with WSSD music throughout our district.
Please remember you can always learn more information about WSSD music on our website.
Thanks for reading all about WSMA and WSSD music!!
Wallingford Swarthmore Music Association
Email: president@wssdmusic.org
Website: www.wssdmusic.org
Location: Wallingford, Nether Providence Township, PA, USA
Phone: 610-892-3470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallingfordSwarthmoreMusicAssociation