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Simsbury music leaders showcase student performance, new curriculum priorities and inclusion work
Summary
The district’s music directors presented a student-composed quartet performance, outlined a multi-year curriculum revision emphasizing music literacy and vertical alignment, described an international Barcelona trip, and flagged needs including a dedicated elementary strings classroom and staffing pressures as enrollment rises.
The Simsbury Board of Education heard a combined music report featuring a student performance, curriculum updates and demonstrations of inclusive instructional strategies.
"If I could catch a rainbow, I'd do so just for you," the senior vocal quartet sang in an opening performance of a student‑composed piece written by senior Noah Summer, who was earlier recognized as this year’s performing-arts award recipient.
Lisa Ael, the district’s K‑12 director of music and performing arts, described a multi-year curriculum review that revised course blueprints, aligned instruction across grades and emphasized music literacy as a core strand. "Our vision of the graduate is embedded in everything that we do," she said, summarizing work to ensure vertical and horizontal alignment so students demonstrate independence by graduation.
Staff highlighted recent achievements. The department performed in Barcelona during spring break, collaborating with local ensembles and clinicians, and Rebecca (the choir teacher) noted staff and students won regional recognition and grant funding, including a Sigma Alpha Iota enrichment grant and multiple Kathleen McGawan awards. Rebecca also said she was a quarterfinalist for a 2027 music‑educator award presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum.
Presenters demonstrated classroom strategies emphasizing "sound before sight," solfège, rhythm grids and sight‑singing techniques used from elementary through high school. Chelsea Johnson described inclusive devices and tools — an AAC device referred to in the presentation as a "cough drop," Makey Makey circuit kits and adaptive ukulele/recorder options — that allow students with mobility or communication limits to participate in music-making.
The presentation also identified current challenges. A dedicated strings classroom at Squadron elementary is a priority because students are struggling to develop skills in a shared space, and staff warned that rising elementary enrollment will pressure staffing and scheduling. Ael said the district will continue to monitor scheduling, staffing thresholds and professional development needs as the program grows.
Board members praised the department’s community outreach, noting performances at local venues and senior centers. The board received the presentation as an informational report; no board action was required.
Ending: The board acknowledged the department’s awards and curriculum work and asked staff to continue reporting on space and staffing needs as enrollment changes.
