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Three Village music students honored; district restores third-grade instrumental program
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Summary
The board acknowledged nearly 200 students selected for regional, state and national music ensembles and the district announced restoration of the third-grade instrumental program for next year after schedule adjustments, officials said at the May 13 meeting.
Three Village Central School District officials on May 13 recognized nearly 200 student musicians selected for county, state and national honors ensembles and said the district has restored third-grade instrumental instruction for next year without increasing district costs.
Director of music Miss Ochner told the Board of Education that students were selected for competitive ensembles including the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA), the New York State administrators’ ensembles and the Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA). "These accomplishments represent the highest levels of musical achievement," Ochner said, noting selections are based on auditions and teacher recommendations and that 626 Three Village students participated in the district-hosted All-State selection festival this year.
Administrators told the board that, amid budget pressure, the music department reworked schedules to preserve third-grade ensembles. Dr. Scanlon said the third-grade instrumental program was "restored for next year" and confirmed at the meeting that the district did so "with no increase in cost" by adjusting current staffing and schedules.
Board members and parents who spoke during public comment lauded the music staff and students. Parent Suzanne Allen referenced more than 60 student testimonials collected in support of the third-grade ensembles and read an excerpt from an eighth-grade student about how early instrumental lessons supported her during COVID-19-era disruptions. Leanne Strom, a parent and local orchestra director, thanked the district for continuing the program and described the district's music offerings as strong compared with neighboring districts.
The board and administrators emphasized the role of early music instruction in long-term participation and success in competitive festivals. Ochner highlighted district-run mentoring programs and described Music in Our Schools Month activities that provided more than 300 free lessons through student-led mentoring.
No formal board vote to create new budget line items was recorded at the May 13 meeting; administrators said the program was restored through scheduling changes within the existing staffing projections and the reductions already planned elsewhere in the budget. District officials invited interested community members to view recorded performances and festival highlights provided as part of the recognition.
The district did not provide enrollment projections tied specifically to the restored third-grade program during the meeting. Several parents asked the board to preserve early ensemble instruction, citing its long-term effects on retention and student achievement in county and state festivals.
