Groton band students experience more than music

The students at Groton Central School (GCS) have been learning to play band instruments and subsequently perform in school concerts for decades, but for the first time ever, more than 150 band students ranging from fourth through 12th grade came together for Band Day at GCS on May 13.

The idea for this unique way to help students learn from one another came about when the Groton Jr./Sr. High School (GHS) band teacher, Skyler Roswell, and Groton Elementary School (GES) band teacher, Liz Fuller, began chatting in December about ways they could recruit and retain students in the music programs, keep them loving music from the elementary level through high school and ultimately find a way for all grades to play together to experience and feel the connection that music creates.

Roswell has been teaching at GHS for six years. She attended the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in trombone performance and music education with a concentration in special education in 2009, followed by a master’s in music education from Ithaca College in 2015.

Fuller, who has been at GES for three years, attended Ithaca College and earned her bachelor’s degree in French horn performance and music education in 2010 and her master’s in music education in 2014.

As the two continued to brainstorm their thoughts and aspirations into something tangible, the idea for Band Day began to form.

“I thought it would be a great way for the elementary students to see into the future,” Fuller said. “They could see what the band program would look like and what their experience could be when they get older.”

As their vision blossomed, Roswell asked, “What can we do to make this happen?” So, she and Fuller brought their idea to GHS Principal Brian Kavanagh, GES Principal Kent Maslin and GCS Superintendent Margo Martin.

All three were thrilled with the idea of bringing the students together in such a meaningful way and having older students mentor their younger peers.

“Everyone was so supportive,” Roswell said. “Jim Sedorus, our transportation supervisor, arranged to bus the elementary kids up to the high school, the Tri-M (Music Honor Society) donated pizza and ice cream for lunch, and our colleagues gave up their teaching spaces for us for that day.”

After beginning the event with lunch, they all settled in the auditorium to watch one another perform. Each band, beginning with elementary and sixth, seventh and eighth grades and ending with senior high, had a selection to play for the rest of the group.

“When we had gotten as far as the seventh and eighth grade band, one elementary student leaned over and asked, ‘Is this college?’” Fuller said.

Roswell said that she realized “what a huge impact this was as soon as the elementary kids came in.”

“Their faces lit up, and they were so excited,” she said.

Fuller shared that sentiment.

“After all the performances were over, many of the students at all levels volunteered comments about what they liked,” Fuller said. “It was so impactful.”

The next part of the day had students disperse into small groups for the mentoring portion, after which all came together to practice and perform “The Hey Song,” which they later performed together at the Groton Band District Concert on May 25.

Some of the comments from students tell the story best.

Breylon Nelson, seventh grade percussion, said, “I loved Band Day. It was so fun because I got to meet a lot of new people. I’ll always remember it was one of the best days ever.”

Michaela Canady, 10th grade tuba, said, “Being a part of Band Day brought me joy! I enjoyed teaching the younger kids their music, working together with them and seeing how all the different parts came together in the end.”

Nattalie Evelyn Lombardi, fifth grade, said, “As the sole oboe player of the elementary band, I had a lot of fun at Band Day and am excited to do it next year and all the years to come. I hope by then there is another oboe player.”

Grace Short, eighth grade clarinet, said, “Being part of Band Day felt kind of like a huge family reunion. Everyone came together to be part of a whole when we were all able to show each other what we have achieved. It is truly amazing to be able to be able to see such diversity in people come together to make something greater. Everyone was so supportive and kind when reviewing pieces with each other, and it really made for a welcoming environment.”

Selena Neiss, fifth grade clarinet, said, “Band Day was amazing. Working with kids from high school helped my playing. It gave us a chance to show our skills and play together as a group while having fun and learning.”

Julia Ramey, 11th grade bassoon, said, “It meant coming together and being a family and sharing the common interest of playing an instrument together and how beautifully it sounded. We came together and played, and it was magical!”

Mariah Canady, sixth grade trombone, said she liked playing with someone more responsible and experienced and that it helped her learn not to give up and keep trying. And Tristan McCracken, sixth grade percussion, said he felt it was nice to learn from the older grades and to help guide the younger grades.

Coleigh Parker, sixth grade clarinet, said, “It showed me that I can be responsible and that there are younger people wanting to play when they get older too. When we all got together and played ‘The Hey Song,’ it felt like we were all family and we accomplished something together. I was also able to meet new people, and it felt good.”

Evan Carlo, 12th grade percussion, said, “The kids seemed to actually pay attention to the older ones to the point where they were writing thank-you notes to them at the end of the day. It made an impression on everyone, and it deserves to continue to happen.”

Fuller expressed considerable gratitude that the district was able to hold the event after years of COVID restrictions and virtual lessons.

“It was great to collaborate with Skyler, and our hard work really paid off,” she said. “The kids had a great time.”

Roswell thanked administrators and “everyone who had a part in making this happen.”

“I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes from the amount of power and the importance of playing together,” she said. “You could feel the love and togetherness.”

It was truly hard to tell who is more excited to do this again — the students or the teachers!

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.

In brief:

NHS inductees

Congratulations to the following students who were inducted into the National Honor Society at Groton Jr./Sr. High School earlier this month: Reagan Allen, Delaney Ayer, Brynn Blasz, Caitlin Bodary, Drew Bush, Megan Cute, Elizabeth Dykeman, Nicholas Gamel, Julez Garcia, Leanna Jackson, Taryn La Tray, Lexie Loveless, Madalyn Perkins, Lia Perrault, Abigail Sill, Jaden Wolf and Sam Young.

Health & Wellness Festival

The McLean Community Church United Church of Christ will sponsor the McLean Community Health and Wellness Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 4 at the McLean Fire Station, 2 Stevens Rd.

Health and Medicare insurance providers, community agencies, and health and wellness providers will be on site. NARCAN training by the Alcohol and Drug Council will take place at noon.

The Lourdes “Mammo on the Move” mobile mammography van will also be on site. Call (607) 798-5723 to schedule an appointment.

This is a free community event. For more information, call (607) 423-3998.

Don’t forget the block party!

Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., is planning a block party on church property from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 4 with fun for everyone. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, bottled water, snacks and more, as well as a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, lawn games and giveaways — and it’s all free!

All are welcome to attend.