Music comes back into Posen schools

 

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

For the first time in many years, music is part of the curriculum at Posen High School.

With a tweak to the school schedule during the summer, an hour became available for new class offerings.

English teacher Mary Misiak advocated an instructional offering involving music. It is far from a Glee Club or the return of a band program, but it is a basic course a new generation of Posen students had not been offered.

Misiak is teaching music history-appreciation for the first time in 10 years.

“They will have a chance to learn how to read music, so if they care to go on to learning any kind of instrument, or anything of that nature, they can,” said Misiak. “They will know what notes are, how to read notes, what pitch is and rhythm.”

Plus, students will learn about the origins of certain forms of music.

“We talked about getting more class offerings for kids and this is one way of doing it,” said superintendent John Palmer. The other class being offered involves video production.

Misiak received a $950 grant from the Northeast Michigan Community Foundation to purchase “Classical Music 101”and “Basic Music Theory.” There was enough funding to purchase 30 copies each.

“Students will get a full credit of music by the state of Michigan with all of the state standard and benchmarks, because we can meet every one of them by the end of the year,” said Misiak. “So, instead of having a fine arts elective for a half credit, they will get an entire credit of music.”

It also is cost effective for the district.

“To bring somebody brand new in, we cannot afford that,” said Palmer. “We can do it if a teacher here is qualified

.”

Misiak has a drive and appreciation for music. The response among students has been favorable, too.

“They love it,” said Misiak. “Right now we are working on note values and rest values. They are pretty excited to see the correlation between how all those notes are math. It’s taking all the note values and adding them together, so you know where they are.”

Misiak has a minor in choral music. She competed in solo competitions in high school and college, and performed with country singer Lee Greenwood and Christian performer Sandy Patti.

The class will be worth one credit.

Attending the class are juniors and some foreign exchange students.