I've got the music in me

Music has long been one of the hallmarks of a Woodstock education. From Western to Indian, classical to jazz, over 300 students participate in the music program here.

In the elementary school, music is one of the compulsory elements of the curriculum. Twice a week every class up through fifth grade has music with teacher, Emily Hatch to sing, play recorder or make music with the new Orff instruments. Students can also choose to study piano, violin or join choir after school.

In the middle school, students either take general music or study an instrument (or voice) privately. In high school, music is optional, however a large percentage of students participate in music training. There are over seventy students in the high school choir alone!

Any middle or high school student studying privately is also required to join an ensemble. Woodstock offers three levels for band and four levels for orchestra, a choir for each school, a jazz band and Indian music ensembles. Concerts are always presented in a serious and professional manner. From the youngest choir member to the most advanced violinist, everyone who performs is dressed in concert attire with conductors in suits and ties, black saris or other formal wear. Even our young audience is educated on proper etiquette for concerts, learning how to sit still, hold their applause through movements, and show proper respect for the performers.

Kudos to our exceptional music department for providing this important educational component to Woodstock students:

• Ravi Arthur - Music Dept. head, advanced & intermediate orchestras, strings & classical guitar
• Maureen Fromme - middle and high school choirs, voice
• Amitavo Roy - beginning and junior orchestras, strings
• Emily Hatch - Grades 1 - 6 general music teacher, elementary choir, beginning band, woodwinds & piano
• Megan Hagberg - advanced & jazz bands, brass & percussion
• Jenny Planer - intermediate band, woodwinds
• Aloke Maiti - Indian music (tabla, sitar, santoor, voice & Indian Classical Guitar)
• Gargi Baroooah - piano
• Swati Roy - Music Assistant (Administrative)