Page 11 - Newsletter_Summer_2018

Music Department

UPDATE By Kevin Mania, HHS Music Faculty

The music department has added a new program to its already great line up. This year I was awarded one of ten
$5000 grants from a partnership with Little Kids Rock and the Maine Department of Education. Together the
initiative is called “Maine Kids Rock.” We are now one of the leaders in a state initiative that will bring modern
band to all schools across the state. The program is all about giving kids a chance to play the music they like, and
teaching it in a new innovative way that is easy
and helps ensure a lifelong love for music. The
grant gave us 14 acoustic guitars, two electric
guitars, a bass guitar, a keyboard, and a drum
set, as well as several training sessions, and
endless support from the organization. Check
out Littlekidsrock.org. It talks more about the
program and what they offer. This is truly an
amazing groundbreaking system. This year I
was able to teach 80+ 8th graders in a classroom
setting how to play Guitar, Keyboard, and Drums.
After school I was able to have a performance
group of six middle/high school students that
wanted to give it a try. We learned music from
Tom Petty, David Bowie, Justin Timberlake,
and Smashing Pumpkins. We had the great
opportunity to play for the Governor, State Board
of Education and representatives from Little Kids Members of Houlton’s “Modern Band” pose at Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta before
Rock in Augusta. The learning didn’t stop with their performance for Governor LePage, the Board of Education, other distinguished guests
and the media in early May. Pictured, seated left to right, Ellie Grant ‘22, Sidney Peabody ‘21
students, we also had a group of teachers that and Jayden Swimm ‘22; standing left to right, Donald Ouellette ‘19, Emmalyne Drake ‘21
and Kalie Neureauther ‘21.
wanted to try the program out. We finished the
year with a performance of the Jazz Bands as well as the Student and Teacher Modern Bands at the Cup Cafe to a
standing room only crowd. It was a great way to generate a buzz and let people know what is going on in our great
music program.

This coming year we have been able to add Modern Band as a high school class, with a large amount of students
signed up. What a great feeling to bring a program like this to our students. I hope to add in a recording system
this year to help the students not only hear what they are doing and critique themselves, but to also have other
musicians around the country help them with feedback by listening to their recordings. Hopefully this will also
inspire some students to create their own music and someday join the ranks of local artists like the Hill Brothers and
Travis Humphrey, as well as global artists like James Taylor, John Mayer, and John Lennon. Well, we can only hope,
right? What better place to come from and achieve such great goals in life. It takes a dream, a hope, and a firm
foundation of principals and education to help it happen. I hope to keep you updated on our new venture as well as
our normal line up in the future.
Photo courtesy of Penny Nevers ‘61
On a side note...If anyone has any attic instruments, or equipment that you would like to donate to us please let us know. We
are always looking for ways to get an instrument into our kids hands and encourage all forms of music. Hope all is well. Keep
Rocking and come visit when you’re in the neighborhood!

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