Dear School Committee members:
We are reaching out again because we need to clarify some points around the Newton South High School (NSHS) Music Program. We understand that, generally speaking, matters concerning personnel and specific classes are not subjects of school committee actions, but the School Committee has a critical role to play here given the timing of this situation.
We’ve now met with all teachers involved in the arts program. We’ve met with the department head. We’ve met with the principal, who is very supportive and now understands very well what is happening. We’ve met with the assistant superintendent. However, there are still some real misconceptions floating around, many of which are complicating the situation, to the detriment of our children. Below, you’ll see what parents and students are being told, in the red left-hand column, with the correct information on the green right-hand column.
Not enough kids have enrolled for Jazz Combo next year.
Jazz Combo is a smaller class and always has been. So far 11 kids are registered, not counting those who are currently auditioning. Jazz Combo used to be 7-9 students, but last year Jazz Improv 3 & 4 were cut, making Jazz Combo bigger.
Cutting Jazz Combo does not matter because there are other "performance classes" being offered.
There are only two audition-only classes. "Performance classes" are those in which students are playing their instruments, as opposed to learning theory. Additionally, music classes are not interchangeable. Classical, Jazz, and Jazz improvisation are very different disciplines.
Jazz Combo is qualitatively different from all other performance classes. It is the sole class in which our advanced student musicians can continue studying the demanding and unique skill of improvisation.
Jazz Combo students are already taking other multiple music classes in addition to Jazz Combo so dropping this course impacts them less.
Many students who are taking music classes in addition to Jazz Combo are doing so in lower-level classes in a TA or mentor capacity. This helps the newer students to aspire to perform at higher levels and teaches the more advanced students how to teach while solidifying their knowledge as they work through explaining concepts to others. This approach improves the program overall.
Other students in Jazz Combo are not enrolled in any other music classes as they are focused on improving their improvisational skills at the advanced level Jazz Combo requires.
There have not been any cuts to the music program at South for next year.
The Music Department was told last year by the Asst. Superintendent that the reduction from 2.35 FTE to 2.0 FTE this year was only for this year. That means that by not restoring the 2.35 FTE, the Music Department has been cut and is not leveled.
Staffing and classes offered at both our high schools is based on actual enrollments in courses, so some classes are not offered when enrollments are low.
The Music Department is having classes cut, but not due to low enrollment. NNHS does not cut programming, regardless of enrollment.
There was a decision to offer either AP Music Theory or Jazz Combo, and the Music Department was included in this decision and is being advocated for.
The Music Department was not consulted about which course to cut. An email was sent announcing the cut without any input from the Music Department. AP Music Theory 2 has not been run since 2019. Why bring it back now and eliminate an award-winning, nationally recognized audition-only class? Jazz Combo is one of the most important classes at NSHS.
That younger children aren’t interested in music–and that is the real issue.
This is a separate issue that needs to be addressed, but it is totally unrelated to saving Jazz Combo. If Newton is serious about addressing this issue, then it won't remove this jewel of our music program. That will not help achieve greater participation.
An educational injustice is about to be foisted on our children.
These are children who are devoted, year after year, to Jazz Combo. Enrollment has never been stronger or in question, for this or for any other music programs at Newton South.
These programs, beyond bringing great credit to the school and to its music department, are very important to the children who participate. They bring equity to students who cannot afford expensive music programs. (New England Conservatory, for example, costs $10,000– $20,000.)
The NSHS Music Program is just as important as a soccer team for athletes or AP English. Music is an integral part of the life of these students and a part of their academic program, their intellectual growth, their social emotional health, and in fact, it may also be instrumental in their college admissions process.
To put this in perspective: The NSHS Art Department has 46 sections, some full year, some half year. It has at least 7 sections with 12-14 students in them. The NSHS Music Department has 14 sections with one section, Jazz Combo, at 11 students before the auditioning members are accepted. This award-winning class previously had 7-9 students and is being cut.
While the NSHS Art Department offers classes in 3-D Art, 3-D Design, Photography, Studio, Honors Photography, Media Arts Study, etc. the largest class size in all of them is 23. By contrast, the NSHS Music Department symphonic section numbers 49 students (NNHS, with fewer Symphonic students has 2 sections). This big class more than offsets the intentionally smaller size of Jazz Combo.
In light of all this, we are pleading with you, the School Committee, to put this item on your next meeting’s agenda and receive a full report from the superintendent as to the basis for the decision and the remedial actions he could make.
Sincerely,
Music Parents at Newton South High School
P.S. View Our Award Winning NSHS Jazz Combo playing at the Boston Hatchshell on 5/15:
CC: Superintendent Fleishman, Assistant Superintendent Romer, Principal Stras, Maria Beatriz Arvelo, Patty Connolly, Lisa Gordon, Diane Gomez, Julia Jenkins, Chao Wang, Dianyuan Wang, and many more.