This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Possible Cuts to Severna Park High School Music Faculty Have Students and Parents Upset

Students, alumni and parents meet to discuss possible cuts in music program and an online petition to keep a music teacher is gaining signatures.

(SPHS)  parents, students and alumni gathered Tuesday night for an emergency meeting to discuss how they can stop a proposed cut to the music faculty at the school which would directly affect the loss of one of the most popular music teachers, Kathleen (Kathy) Gabriele who has taught chorus for 22 years and AP Music Theory since 2003. 

Tracey Mooney, a representative of the Falcon Drama Boosters, a member of the PTSO and a parent of a both a junior and an incoming freshman at SPHS, stated her concerns in a letter sent out on Tuesday to PTA and PTSO volunteers, and parents.

After confirming on Monday that there were possible cuts in funding of the music teacher, she called for a meeting to discuss how they can make a passionate plea in support of keeping such a vital position in the SPHS musical program.

Find out what's happening in Severna Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Parents and students discussed attending the scheduled Anne Arundel County School Board meeting being held Wednesday (May 18) at 7 p.m. The topic is not on the agenda, but will take place during the general forum. Students, parents and faculty can speak for up to 3 minutes each.

Meanwhile, Severna Park student Josh Magness has organized an online petition that as of Tuesday night had 460 signatures. To hear more about their pleas, visit: http://www.change.org/petitions/keep-miss-gabriele-in-severna-park-high-school.

Find out what's happening in Severna Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mooney detailed in her letter that “Gabriele provides outstanding instruction to our students as evidenced by our award winning musicals that she musically directs.”

Gabriele is also the music director of the popular “Rock n’ Roll Revival” that has been a tradition of singing performance for 22 years that has brought in about 8,000 attendees over the years.

Gabriele is also the student advisor for the “Tri M” Music Honor Society at SPHS. Mooney said that Gabriele had a 100 percent passing rate for AP testing of her students in 2010.

“This along with preparing students for numerous vocal events like county festivals and competitions provides our students with opportunities to perform, gain confidence and keep them out of trouble by staying extremely busy,” Mooney said.  “If her position would be cut, that would mean there is not a teacher on staff to teach vocals nor who has time to dedicate to extracurricular endeavors.”

Terra Snider who represents the Anne Arundel County Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) for SPHS offered some discussion points for the students as they state their plea. She said to “speak up, but speak up in a polite way.” 

Her daughter Sage Snider is an alumni of the school and plans to attend the meeting in support of keeping the music teacher. Another fellow alumni, Elizabeth Howse, a cellist major at Indiana University stated: “Without Ms. Gabriele I wouldn’t have had so many options. She aided me and supported me in my decision to go to college as a cellist.”

Howse plans to attend the meeting in support of more music teachers so that those students who don’t play sports have other options and more opportunities to thrive as a musician.

The current situation will leave only two music teachers to cover band, Orchestra, chorus and all other music electives.  Many students and parents agreed that students were often dissuaded from taking music classes in favor of other AP classes or that certain classes would be unavaible in the fall or spring. Other classes are over-populated making students withdrawl out of frustration.

“This sends a very poor message to our students, that after superior work, Kathy Gabriele is deemed excessive because of county staffing guidelines and policy that are quite obviously flawed,” Mooney said.

Many of the parents were in agreement that the main goal is to raise well rounded students which include not only academics and sports but music and the arts.

Julie Hildebrand, the parent of a daughter who is a senior in the vocal ensemble and has been a part of the Rock ‘N Roll revival for three years as well as a son in the eighth grade band, who will be an incoming freshman said: “ We need to be clear that we want a dedicated musical instructor.” Many added that the parents are not asking for more teachers but to retain the three teachers they have.

Mooney checked the Anne Arundel County Public School website to compare similar high schools in the area in terms of ratio of students to music educators and found that Broadneck High School has four, Chesapeake High School has three and Old Mill High School has four musical teachers.

Ben Regalado-the parent of four boys: one in college, one at Severna Park High, one at Severna Park Middle School and one attending Oak Hill Elementary School said: “We moved here in 2006, and we chose this area because of the music offerings.  These programs quickly connected my four boys to new schools, to new friends, and even to new found passions."

"Having a depth of offerings from a depth of quality teachers will be something that will benefit them for years to come."  Regalado is the music booster officer and past president at SPMS. 

Many of the SPHS booster and band members will be attending a concert on Wednesday evening at SPHS and will be unable to attend the Board of Education meeting.

Beverly Van Joolen, drama teacher at Chesapeake Academy and arts director at Colonial Players East Street Theater in Annapolis, plans to speak at the Board meeting. “We also have to remind them that it’s not just about chorus or singing,  it’s about teaching the student’s teamwork and life-long skills they can apply towards life-long goals,” she said.

http://www.change.org/petitions/keep-miss-gabriele-in-severna-park-high-school.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?