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Music directors highlight enrollment growth, festival medals and accessibility work
Summary
Malbor Public Schools’ music director reported a 29% projected increase in ensemble enrollment, festival medals for multiple ensembles, expansion of middle- and elementary-level offerings and accessibility efforts including Braille music and band-fundamentals entry paths.
Mr. Verdon, the district’s music director, presented a K–12 review of the music department to the school committee, saying performing ensembles comprised about 15% of the high school student body and that requests indicate a projected 29% increase in participation next year. He highlighted festival results—bronze, silver and gold medals at regional and state events—and named students selected to all‑state ensembles.
The presentation emphasized student leadership in ensembles, with section leaders and concert masters running rehearsals and mentoring younger members. Mr. Verdon described curricular and program expansions: band fundamentals at the high-school level to create access for students who missed middle-school instrumental programs, and additions to the middle-school staff so ensembles meet three times weekly.
Inclusion and accessibility were a central focus. Mr. Verdon described work to enable a blind student, Matas, to learn piano with music in Braille created in collaboration with occupational therapy, and cited high conversion rates from introductory classes to ensemble participation: "78% of the students who took it both first semester and second semester are joining the band next year," he said of the band‑fundamentals course.
Committee members praised the program, noting strong community attendance at events, the mayor’s presence at performances, and the department’s coordination with area festivals. The committee and music staff also discussed potential pep‑band appearances and ongoing alignment work to bring chorus back to elementary schools and strengthen the K–12 music curriculum.
No formal district policy or budget vote was taken at the meeting; the presentation served to inform the committee and the public of program growth and next steps.
