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Date: 6/27/2022
LUDLOW — They didn’t have much time to practice, just a half hour once every eight school days. But the fifth-grade chorus at Harris Brook Elementary School managed to put on a stellar performance, enough to take first place in their category at the Music in the Parks competition.
Choruses made up of elementary, middle school and high school students from across New England competed in early June at United Congregational Church in Holyoke. They were divided into categories based on grade level and the size of their school.
Meghan Provost has taught chorus to third, fourth and fifth graders at Harris Brook for 12 years. She brought her fifth graders to compete against a half dozen other choruses, and her group took first place with nearly perfect scores.
“I think they were a little shocked, but they were very excited because they worked incredibly hard this year. I pushed them very hard. It’s an incredible challenge for their memory retention. We don’t meet that often and when we do, they learn a new part of the song they have to remember the next time we rehearse, which can be difficult,” said Provost.
Harris Brooks’ fifth grade band also took top honors in its performance against peers from other states. Holyoke High School hosted the band competition. Nicole Sousa conducts the band. This 12-year veteran music teacher is no stranger to Music in the Parks. Her bands have placed first in their categories for the last six years.
“I’m always excited for the kids. This is all about them. I’m proud they were brave enough to go to the competition and perform before complete strangers,” said Sousa. “It’s phenomenal they put in this hard work, and they got to the level they achieved. I was very proud of them for that,” she said.
Each musical group performs before a panel of judges that not only picks the winners but also gives them advice. “It lets me know if we are on par with how students are performing at other schools. I can apply the feedback to my next class of musicians and have a good idea what we should work on,” said Sousa.
Provost and Sousa are Harris Brook Elementary’s dynamic duo this year, each bringing fifth graders to new levels of achievement. Sousa’s students were so excited to win, many asked if they could stay in the band and play again next year.
“I’m always thrilled when students want to continue to the next year of band. They become a lifelong learner of music and a lifelong appreciator of music, and that’s the ultimate goal,” said Sousa.
Provost’s love of music reaches its crescendo when she’s conducting her students. She wants them to go beyond learning scales and lyrics, hoping they will carry a tune for the rest of their lives.
“I love my job because I’m able to share my passion. Music teachers are unique because what we do is a passion project. We show what we love and why we love it and get others to contribute in their own way,” she said. “We get them to develop their own love of music.”