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rading in their pizza and milk for guitars and microphones, students enrolled in Spruce Mountain High School’s Rock of Ages class transform their cafeteria into a space fit for a live rock concert, complete with lighting and costumes.
Deliverance. “I don’t teach music, I teach life skills. This is all about gaining confidence. I had a kid who hid behind her hair and now she’s leading songs—you don’t teach that confidence and you don’t assess it, you watch it,” said Fenlason.
The music class is unlike any other taught in the state, in which students learn about the history of rock and roll, beginning in the 1950's to the present. After completing the history portion of the class, students prepare for a concert where they perform covers of songs from each decade since the 1950's.
For Fenlason, it’s important for her students to understand the social connection to the music they’re hearing, the messages the music sends and how those messages have changed through time based on the events occurring. “At the start of this, I wanted to make sure I met their needs as an educator,” said Fenlason.
Music teacher Dianne Fenlason organizes the concert and preforms with fellow educators alongside the school band,
It’s clear this music teacher and class are doing far more than that.
Maine Educator • October 2017
