Wakefield-Marenisco cuts off school choir

WAKEFIELD — At the request of the district’s K-12 music teacher, members of the Wakefield-Marenisco Board of Education voted Monday evening to drop a grade 7-12 choir class in exchange for a new band option.

The decision came only after some board members objected to the loss of a choir offering altogether and requested at least a compromise.

Music teacher Isaac Boehnlein told the board that membership in the grade 7-12 choir program has been neither large nor strongly committed in recent years.

“I would say choir is a passion for two of them,” he noted of vocal students, adding that remaining choir members direct their zeal more so to music in general.

“That’s kind of what made me look at this class option,” he said of his proposal.

Boehnlein added that one obstacle in the challenge “to really build something” in the way of vocals is that students devote most of their class hours to required credits.

For the same reason, he said that band members have only limited time to practice their craft — especially when they do not join band until their later years.

“Starting band in high school is very much an uphill battle,” said Boehnlein, who explained that there isn’t then enough time “to have a shot at success.”

Moreover, he said that even experienced band members sometimes want the opportunity to try a second instrument. Thus, they are then also in the position of being beginners.

Hence, he proposed a new band class that would be more intensive in nature, allowing a smaller group of late-joining students “to catch up” while simultaneously giving experienced students the opportunity to mentor the greenhorns.

Students needing the extra practice would get one-on-one time either from himself or his best players, which would open doors to “student leadership” roles.

For example, Boehnlein said of one of his students, “Catherine Baker has been phenomenally successful in the past few years.” He suggested her as an ideal candidate to be a mentor.

The music teacher also speculated additional roles for which various students could take responsibility: a student librarian to organize music, a band manager to organize and set up daily equipment needs, and assistants in relation to concerts or out-of-town travel.

Boehnlein also explained that students joining the band as older students would be obligated to earn their stripes by first performing with the junior high school band.

Then, he claimed, “They would transition to the high school band once they have the fundamentals.”

Board trustees voiced support for Boehnlein’s plan, but also had concerns.

Mike Yon asked whether it’s possible to know the number of students interested in either band versus choir for the coming year, but superintendent Jason Gustafson said that would be hard to determine at this point.

“I’d like to make a decision on what’s best for the largest number of kids,” said Yon.

Marsha Vestich and Stacie Rooni voiced enthusiasm for the new direction. “I think it could be a great class,” said Rooni.

“It is a pretty good idea,” said Micki Sorensen. “It could be a very good thing. I’m just concerned about never offering choir at all.”

Sorensen added, “It was a very big part of my life, and I almost went into music.”

She asked whether there was room for compromise, perhaps by offering a choir club after school.

“We need to look at the choir, but I’d like not to deadlock on this because of the choir thing,” said President Brad Dalbec. However, he also supported the club option.

Boehnlein said that an after-school group might be difficult to achieve given that kids have so many interests, including sports, to which they are dedicated. He concluded, however, that he will explore that option.

In other news, the superintendent reported Tuesday that the board also:

—Voted to approve the cost of a new math curriculum for grades kindergarten through six.  “The curriculum should arrive soon, so our teachers can begin preparing to implement it in the fall,” said Gustafson.  He added that the district already had ordered a new math curriculum for the high school in April.    

—Voted to hire Kassidee Yon, a recent graduate of Northern Michigan University, as an elementary teacher for the upcoming school year. She will replace Mary Ann Marzari, who will retire at the end of this school year. 

—Voted to hire Pat Libertoski as the varsity boys’ basketball coach. Libertoski most recently served as the boys’ junior varsity coach. The district is accepting letters of application for the vacant junior varsity position until May 17.

—Voted to offer a 3D Design class in place of ceramics. “The 3D Design class will allow our students to have even more time in the fab lab,” said Gustafson. 

—Voted to approve the list of students who Gustafson said “are on pace to satisfy their graduation requirements.” The graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 28 at 6 p.m. on the north lawn of the school, facing Sunday Lake. In the event of bad weather, the event will occur in the school gym.

—Heard Gustafson thank city of Wakefield workers who hung graduate banners on M-28 next to the lake. The superintendent added that the public is invited to a graduation parade on May 27 at 6 p.m.  This will be a repeat of last year’s event, which was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade of participating vehicles will line up in the school parking lot, while graduates stand next to their graduation banners along the lake. 

—Heard board members commend those involved in organizing the recent prom, athletic banquet and senior banquet. “All three events were very well done,” said Yon. 

Students will be released at noon on June 4, which will be the last day of school. 

The board will meet next on June 14 at 5 p.m. in room 107 of the school. The public is welcome with the understanding that COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Persons wishing to attend remotely should call 906-224-7211.