Webster fine-arts program spotlighted; students perform world-premiere collaboration

The Webster Central School District on March 10 showcased its fine-arts programs to the board, with Director of Fine Arts Michael Roller presenting recent student accomplishments in music and visual art and inviting students to explain their collaborative process.

Roller opened by noting Music in Our Schools Month and Youth Art Month and detailed participation in county and state honors events, Scholastic Art Awards (10 Gold Key winners and three American Vision nominees), and a commissioned composition premiered by the district's Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra. "The arts are not a frill," Roller said, quoting Barbara Jordan to underline the district's stance that arts instruction strengthens students' identity and cross-curricular learning.

Students who participated in the world-premiere described working directly with the composer. Evan said rehearsing with the composer allowed the ensemble to ask about intentions behind musical lines and shaped interpretive choices. "It was very interesting working with him because there were a lot of questions throughout the development of the piece," Evan said. Abigail added that the composer's presence made the music feel more expressive and intentional. JJ said collaborating with the composer changed how she connects personally with a piece.

Roller also presented visual-arts highlights, including student–photographer collaborations that will be part of a gallery opening tied to Rochester's First Friday on May 1 and a district portrait gallery near the superintendent's office. He encouraged the public to attend Community Arts Day on April 11 to view K–12 work across media. Roller outlined how arts instruction intentionally connects with literacy curricula (CKLA) and described diagnostic and formative assessments used in middle-school music to target rhythm skills.

The board voted to accept the instructional report as presented. Board members praised the programs and the student performances and thanked staff and PTSA volunteers for supporting extracurricular and arts activities. The presentation emphasized both recognition at regional and national levels and the district's planning to adapt to forthcoming state guidance on the 'portrait of a graduate.'

Looking ahead, Roller advised the board the district is positioned to respond to state guidance when it becomes available and that fine-arts initiatives—student premieres, gallery exhibitions and cross-disciplinary curricula—will continue to be highlighted at community events.