Archive: Around Town

Now preparing for reconstruction of the Middle School Audiorium and new music rooms in the high school, Lansing music teachers learned March 23rd it is one of 476 districts nationwide that has been recognized as among the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME).  The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation evaluated 13,515 urban, suburban and rural school districts to determine which communities are best at providing and supporting music education.

"The schools and districts that the NAMM Foundation honors this year with this award demonstrate a commitment to supporting music education and assuring opportunities for music learning in the curriculum for all students," said Mary Luehrsen of the NAMM Foundation. "We are moving from a time when curricula were narrowed due to pressure from testing and test-prep remediation to a broader view of what is important for all children. That includes access to a well-rounded education – and an opportunity to learn and grow with music and the arts. The schools and districts we recognize serve as models for other educators looking to develop standards-based music education programs."

A NAMM press release notes, "The BCME and SMMA designations take on added significance this year due to the passage of the new federal education law in December 2015. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) designates music as a recommended subject and as part of 'a well-rounded education.' ESSA shifts more control to the states and schools and encourages policy makers to give non-tested subjects such as music a more important role in the development of school curricula."

The release adds that districts who receive the honor

"It is pretty impressive, especially for our sized school," Lansing Superintendent Chris Pettograsso said Monday.  "I want to congratulate all our music people and everybody that supports music and the arts."


That was only part of the good news for Lansing's music teachers.  School Business Administrator Mary June King said that bids for the district's the S.M.A.R.T. (Security Mechanical Architecture Reconstruction Technology) project came in lower than anticipated.  The $6,450,000 capital project includes reconstruction of the Middle School Auditorium lobby with ADA accessible bathrooms and additional auditorium doors.  The current lobby is too small for large crowds school performances attract.  The project also includes three music practice rooms in the high school.

Pettograsso told the Board Of Education that she met with the Music Department a week ago.  With construction beginning this summer, the music program will be impacted by the closing of the Middle School Auditorium from June 10th until January 1st, requiring music teachers to find other locations for plays and concerts.  That will not only dislocate music and theater productions, but also removes the auditorium from use as an alternate commencement location in case of rain.  School Board President Christine Iacobucci said department members are happy to work around the inconvenience so the work can be completed.

"They are positive and eager about all the changes that are happening, knowing that the auditorium is going to be off-use for quite a while," she  said.  "They're coming up with some creative solutions and really working together, so that was nice to see."

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