The Music Of October At Head O’ Meadow

By Larissa Lytwyn

It was a moment that could have been used as a backdrop for a television campaign advocating the value of music education: more than 20 parents joined their children to participate in both a vocal and instrumental rendition of a seasonally appropriate Halloween song.

Students’ faces glowed as their special guests picked up a xylophone hammer or a drumstick, and proceeded to hit the designated notes with gusto.

These moments have been happening all October at Head O’ Meadow. Music teacher Julie Bastos has been conducting gradewide class visitations in which parents, relatives, or family friends could witness students’ music class experiences first hand.

Though Ms Bastos inducted her first annual visitation program last March, this year, the event was moved to October because of construction to replace the school’s HVAC system expected later in the year.

Each class began with a comprehensive review lesson and concluded with a parent-student performance of the musical piece currently being learned.

After formally welcoming their visitors, students in Linda Siladi’s fourth grade class began to review how to characterize sharp from flat notes. They also explored the definitions of “key” and “melody,” as well as the major and minor key signatures of a piece.

Next, students volunteered to break notes down into various beats, including quarter and one-sixteenth beats.

“It wasn’t so hard [to break down the notes],” said one volunteer, Zoe Eggleston.

“Why is it easier for you now?” prompted her mother, Kate Eggleston.

“Practice,” Zoe answered, impelling Ms Eggleston to flash an approving smile.

“You know what they say about practice,” she said, continuing to smile at her daughter, “It’s the only way to get better at something.”

After the class ended, visitors expressed virtually universal praise for Ms Bastos’ teaching skills.

“Under Ms Bastos’s wonderful guidance, the students not only learn, but also have fun,” said Fran Peters, whose daughter, fourth grader Emily Peters, played a drum.

Ms Peters’ husband, Len Peters, agreed, noting “the kids love [Ms Bastos].”

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff also stopped by Ms Siladi’s class to visit. “I was amazed at how accomplished [the students] were at their young ages,” he said.

In addition, Dr Pitkoff said he had enjoyed watching how a new lesson was taught by building small parts into a larger, more comprehensive piece.

“It’s wonderful to have these [visitations],” said Ms Bastos. “It gives [parents] the opportunity to really understand how [classes] operate and also gives them the chance to participate.”