It is with great pride that, until my retirement last year, I taught instrumental music in Camden and Rockport for 36 of my 38-year teaching career.   Our music program, K-12, was held in the highest esteem in our state.  It was a program which others sought to emulate.  It has come to my attention, however, that the quality of the music program in our community is now in jeopardy.

Camden-Rockport Middle School is proposing removing seventh and eighth grade chorus from the school day and moving it to before school as a stipend position.  It would not need to be taught by a certified teacher and would be offered for only a segmented amount of time. 

This seems contradictory given that the school board recently decided to opt for a later start so that students could get the recommended sleep for this age level.  How is this equitable?   To further exacerbate the problem, 5^th and 6^th grade chorus will now be taught for only a short period of time and taught by the band director thus suspending part of the band program.  Needless to say, this has a tremendous impact upon skill acquisition and creates a large gap in the curriculum for both disciplines.   

I wonder in what other subject do we completely suspend a thriving program so that the teacher can instruct a different class?

It is said that these changes are necessary to ensure that all students at CRMS receive general music.   All students have already been getting an education in general music from K-5 and the majority of their middle school tenure.  In fact, our general music program is taught by outstanding, certified educators and is thriving. 

Do vocal music students deserve less?  If middle school is truly a place for exploration, then why would we make it difficult for students to participate in a performing ensemble?  Singing in a vocal ensemble provides a different set of learning experiences and skill attainment.  

As an academic institution isn’t it our duty to provide multiple opportunities to be successful and to address all learning styles?

It is no secret that Camden-Rockport Middle School is the major sending school to Camden Hills Regional High School.  Countless musicians have benefited from the vocal music program as a truly life changing experience as well as a savior through the turbulent times of adolescence. 

Unfortunately, throughout the past decade, I have witnessed a steady decline in participation and skill level from vocal and instrumental students coming from this school.  This is partially due to the diminution of time from the program and changes in the performing arts curriculum due to a schedule implemented in order to facilitate project-based education.  

To make matters worse, the effects of the complete suspension of band and chorus this year, due to COVID, will be felt for years to come.  

The final “blow” that is proposed will put “the nail in the coffin” and undoubtedly result in fewer students with even less skill level moving on to the high school programs.   Stages full of a multitude of students, grand musicals as near to a professional level as could be achieved at the high school level, will cease to exist or exist at a substantially lower level.  Our students deserve better!

Although change can be difficult, it is to be expected and should be welcomed in order for a school district to stay abreast of current educational trends.    I applaud the middle school in their efforts to be innovative, however when these changes gradually “squeeze out” that which we hold dear, it needs to be reexamined.   Although band and chorus are not easy to schedule, it is possible to do so effectively as is evidenced by many other schools in our socioeconomic bracket who place great value in its existence as a critical part of the curriculum.

The future of music education in our local schools lies squarely upon the shoulders of the board of MSAD 28 and this important decision.  It is my hope that they vote to reject this proposal at the May 19 board meeting. 

In addition, I encourage them to add certified staff as well as provide a schedule to accommodate this vital program without diminishing the instrumental or general music program. 

Nancy Rowe lives in Camden