By Amari B. Harrison
Wayland Post Contributor
What makes Wayland one of the best communities in the country for music education? “We have the support of the community, families, the WPS administration, and hard-working students,” said Susan Memoli, the Wayland Pulbic Schools’ director of fine arts and the Wayland High School orchestra director for the past 17 years. “The essential elements for achieving musical proficiency have been embedded in the music program from the youngest ages, including what a joyful pursuit it can be.”
All students in grades K-8 receive general music education as part of their curriculum, including opportunities to create, perform, respond to, and connect with various styles of music. In third grade, students are offered the opportunity to begin learning a string instrument. In fourth grade, students may opt to play a band instrument. Formal choral instruction also begins in either the fourth or fifth grade, depending on the school. Wayland also has a strong private lesson program offered through the Wayland School Community Programs that allows for personal growth and elevation of the entire program.
At the middle school, students may participate in grade level band, orchestra, and chorus. If they’re interested in more advanced opportunities, students may join after-school ensembles such as jazz and wind ensembles, or audition for a seat in the Ellington Jazz ensemble, the Honors Chamber Orchestra, and/or Select Chorus. Students may also audition for the annual WMS spring musical.
At the high school, non-auditioned and well as auditioned ensembles are also available for band, orchestra, and chorus. Additionally, elective music courses such as Music History, Music Production Studio and AP Music Theory are offered. Extracurricular music opportunities include auditioned parts in the annual WHS musical, either for a stage role or in the pit bands, as well as auditioned spots for WHS’ three popular a cappella groups.
Wayland is also strong in its music mentoring programs. Wayland Jr. Broadway is a musical theater opportunity for elementary student performers and high school students who use their directorial and production skills to create an annual winter show. And the HS Band Tutor and Orchestra Practice Partners are peer to near-peer programs for elementary school musicians to reinforce their skills.
For highly motivated teen musicians, WHS has a chapter of the internationally recognized Tri-M Music Honor Society. Also, students in grades 7-12 may audition for the Mass. Music Educators Association’s Eastern District Festivals, where selected students rehearse and perform a repertoire with the top musicians in our district under the baton of esteemed conductors. Of those who score in the top 50% of the Senior Festival auditions, a recommendation to audition for Mass. All State Festival is earned. There is a similar process for All Eastern every other year.
