By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Music Department is looking to expand the program’s offerings, Music and Performing Arts Coordinator Benjamin Zavisza said during a recent School Committee meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Adam Federico said Lynnfield Public Schools has a “really good” music program, but he acknowledged, “There is room to grow.”
Zavisza, who has also been teaching music at Summer Street for the past six years, succeeded Harry Wagg as the district’s music and performing arts coordinator this year.
“The Lynnfield Public Schools Music Department creates opportunities,” said Zavisza.
Zavisza said the Music Department has launched a new website this year that includes a district performance calendar, school profiles and teacher contact information. He also noted that the website includes links to “music opportunities” such as the Lynnfield Community Schools website and parent booster groups.
In addition to launching a new website, Zavisza said the Music Department and Lynnfield Community Schools (LCS) have been focusing on revitalizing the Lynnfield Youth Music School (LYMS) program this year. He said the LYMS allows students to take music lessons from “professional and quality staff” after-school.
“The Music Department and LCS have offered opportunities through the Lynnfield Youth Music School for a while now,” stated Zavisza in an email sent to the Villager. “However, many programs fell through, were cancelled because of COVID or not utilized to its fullest potential. We have been more focused on partnering this year and creating new opportunities as well as revitalizing the LYMS.”
Zavisza said during the recent School Committee meeting that he and LCS Coordinator Morgan Festa recently administered surveys in order to identify ways to offer more music lessons for students’ after-school.
“For the first survey that we put out, we had almost 60 responses and about 90 percent of those people were interested in music lessons for their children,” said Zavisza.
“We realized that there was a desire for more lessons. We put out another survey, and we currently have about 80 responses from children and families looking for private lessons. About 50 percent of that is beginner piano.”
Zavisza said the two elementary schools provide performing and non-performing music opportunities for students. He said the performing opportunities include the grades 1-3 Fine Arts Night. Zavisza also recalled that fourth-graders sing during the annual Music in Our Schools Month Concert in March and the Moving On ceremonies in June.
Additionally, Zavisza said the non-performing opportunities entail teaching students general music skills such as playing beginner instruments, singing, movement and learning how to read music.
Zavisza said Lynnfield Middle School’s performing program includes teaching beginner instruments and band for grades 5-8. He also said there is a Chorus program and Jazz Band for grades 5-8.
“Students are also able to audition for the Pioneer Singers, the Pioneer Jazz Band and can participate in musical theater,” said Zavisza. “In terms of non-performing, we have General Music for grades 5 and 6 and New World Music for grades 6 and 7.”
Zavisza said Lynnfield High School offers “a lot of opportunities” for students to perform music. He said the high school currently offers Honors Band, Rock Band, Guitar Ensemble, Piano, the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and Technical Theater. He said LHS Band Director Eric Blackman and LHS Choral Director Doug Hodgkins are looking to add American Pop Music, Beginner Guitar, Music in Movies and TV courses and a Voice Class next year.
The music and performing arts coordinator said the department recognized a couple of years ago that students’ retention rate from middle school to high school was “low.”
“A big part of that was COVID,” said Zavisza. “It unfortunately drained a lot of programs, which is something that is not unique to Lynnfield. We have been having a hard time getting some of those students back. We did want to focus on social-emotional learning this year to make sure we are looking at our practices and updating our practices to not only invite more students back to these programs, but make sure they are comfortable and accessible to all of the students who want to be a part of them.”
Zavisza said he is looking to grow the Music Department by offering more programs at all four schools.
“Adding more programs to our secondary schools and our elementary schools is key,” said Zavisza. “One thing that I am very excited about is a partnership with the Lexington Symphony Orchestra. Third grade students will not only be able to attend a concert by the Lexington Symphony Orchestra, but they will also be sending musicians to our schools to show students instruments. When I talked to students about it this year, I can’t emulate how excited they were.”
Zavisza also said the Music Department is “committed to finding ways to keep students in our programs.”
“Some issues we have definitely identified in terms of retention is bridging the gap between elementary school and middle school, and then middle school to high school,” said Zavisza. “There is no connection for music from elementary school to middle school. If you look at middle school to high school, the eighth grade right now is not participating in music unless it is Chorus or Jazz Band. Finding these ways to bridge the gap to really make sure that music is a consistent string throughout their entire journey is important.”
Zavisza said he is looking to launch a fourth grade band program at the elementary schools.
“When parents filled out the survey for Lynnfield Community Schools, they identified there are districts around us that offer elementary school music programs,” said Zavisza. “They want more opportunities for elementary school students to learn instruments. From a philosophical point being an elementary school music teacher, this is when they are most excited to learn about music. If we can capitalize on that and really make sure they are grabbing the music then, it can also help bridge a gap between elementary school and middle school. Eighty-eight percent of the top districts in the state offer an elementary school music program, and comparable districts such as Andover and North Reading have an elementary school music program.”
Zavisza said additional staff members would be needed in order to add a fourth grade band program.
“But we could say that this is a competitive music program in terms of districts around us,” added Zavisza.
There are no funds included in the School Department’s proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget that would allow the music program to be expanded.
SC reaction
School Committee member Jamie Hayman thanked the Music Department’s staff for the work that they do in all four schools. He asked Zavisza what resources he would need to expand the music program and what are the “bottlenecks” facing it.
Zavisza said the Music Department will need additional staff members in order to grow the program.
“There are gaps with what we are able to do,” said Zavisza. “Middle School Music Director Stephen Bloom has done a fantastic job doing the job of what I believe to be two music teachers. Teaching general music, band and chorus as well as doing after-school music programs is an incredibly hard task for one person to do. When we are looking at building the program, we should look at investing in it and making sure we are giving opportunities for students to become engaged and a part of opportunities that go beyond just performing.”
Zavisza noted that over 90 middle school students participated in the “Lightning Thief” musical.
“Over 25 of them were not on stage,” said Zavisza. “We see that there is interest in these programs and we see that there are children interested in these programs.”
School Committee member Jim Dillon asked Zavisza if elementary school students “are exposed to instruments.”
Zavisza said students learn how to play instruments such as hand drums, the recorder and the xylophone in elementary school.
“We don’t have the space in our schedule to do instruments such as trumpet, flute and clarinet,” said Zavisza.
School Committee member Kate DePrizio commended Zavisza for partnering with Lynnfield Community Schools to offer after-school music lessons.
“That is such a huge opportunity to explore music in other meaningful ways,” said DePrizio.
School Committee Vice Chair Jenny Sheehan agreed.
“I really like that you added a lot more this year in the program,” said Sheehan. “I also think that the website and the calendar are helpful.”
In response to a question from Sheehan, Zavisza said Music In Our Schools is a district-wide concert that allows students in elementary, middle and high school to perform as individual groups and collectively in the LHS gym.
“It is really cool to see,” said Zavisza.
School Committee Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy said she appreciated that Zavisza is working toward increasing music opportunities for students.
“It is really hard to find music lessons for kids,” said Elworthy. “The strategic and thoughtful approach we are seeing here is what we want to see from everyone. The non-performance focus, particularly when you get to the high school years, is something that allows everyone to be involved.”