You can be anyone you want to be, through music

By Ginna Young

It’s no secret that the COVID shutdown and the restrictions that followed the next school year, took a toll on middle and high school music programs. Wearing masks wasn’t exactly conducive to singing out or blowing into instruments, while public appearances were limited.

Now, however, music educators at Lake Holcombe School, are going full throttle to make their programs the best they can be.

“Students appreciate the many musical opportunities available at Lake Holcombe,” said choir director Shaylae Szotkowski. “…The possibilities are endless and students take advantage of these great opportunities to be creative, and to express themselves.”

Szotkowski had just started at Lake Holcombe that year COVID hit, so she was learning the feel of things and didn’t have much time to implement new experiences for her students.

When things got back on track, Szotkowski worked to establish three spring musicals for the elementary, middle and high schools. As part of that, she started a musical theater production course, where students create the sets and props, and work on lighting, sound design and stage production for the spring musicals.

A grant from the Lake Holcombe Education Foundation (LHEF) also allowed for a classroom set of drums.

“Students really enjoy the drums and drumming activities,” said Szotkowski.

Since the holidays, students have performed at local nursing homes, which not only gives them an outlet to practice their music, but provides entertainment for others. The guitar classes offered are also growing and in high demand, with the choir program, and solo and ensemble performances increasing.

Although Szotkowski isn’t sure what else lies in store, students sometimes have their own ideas of what the choir program could be and when that happens, Szotkowski listens.

“They share in the responsibility of making our program great,” she said. “I understand that our music program will be ever evolving, to meet the needs of our students.”

First-year band director Lauren Ische may have just gotten going on what she wants the band program to be, but that hasn’t slowed her down. One of her first tasks was to build up the high school pep band, playing at Homecoming and several basketball games throughout the year.

“After three years of not having a pep band for athletic events, our numbers are small, but mighty,” said Ische. “However, I’ve heard interest from students who didn’t try pep band this year, and expect next year to be even better.”

Ische is now working to establish a brand new high school rock band, with assistance of a grant from the LHEF for instruments and equipment. It’s open to all high school students, not just those in band, which is exciting for Ische to see access to a variety of musical opportunities for the students.

“For a small school, it is incredible to see the variety of music classes and musical extracurricular activities,” she said.

By sharing an hour during the school day for rehearsals, it allows students to be in band and choir, instead of having to pick just one elective.

“Depending on their interest, students can choose any number of things to experience and be creative with,” said Ische.

That shows in the number of students involved in middle and high school band, which has grown considerably from the beginning of the school year. Ische even has had many students who haven’t played a band instrument in a few years, express interest in joining the program again and who are taking private lessons to catch up.

Ische also hopes to begin a jazz band. “Increasing the amount of musical opportunities for students is achievable, but progress takes time,” said Ische.

Music has been part of Ische’s life since before elementary school and is an outlet, so she can become her own person.

“I think it’s shaped me and helps to connect with people with different experiences than me,” she said. “No one hears a song or performs a piece the same, and that experience is one of the best aspects of music.”

For Szotkowski, music has always provided a space for her to be her authentic self, to be part of something greater, and to learn and appreciate new depths of human experience.

“It connects us,” she said. “I believe students at Lake Holcombe feel that, too.”