Levittown music hits a high note

The Levittown School District’s motto is “Success for Every Student,” and for many, that success comes in music.

Recently, the district, which also serves portions of Wantagh and Seaford, received a Best Communities for Music Education designation for 2015. The National Association of Music Merchants bestowed this honor upon 388 school districts, out of more than 13,500 nationwide. This is the second year in a row that Levittown has earned the distinction.

Both Levittown high schools were also named Grammy Signature School semifinalists, which recognizes public high schools in the United States that demonstrate a commitment to public education.

Research shows strong ties between music education and overall student success. Participation in music education can improve brain function and spark language development, according to a study by brain researchers at Northwestern University.

Vince D’Ulisse, Levittown’s curriculum associate for music, discussed the district’s extensive program at its 10 elementary and secondary schools. “Levittown offers a very comprehensive music program,” he said. “I very much believe in the program that we have here.”

Next year, the district is planning to restore the third-grade band program, meaning Levittown will offer band, chorus and orchestra for any student in grades 3-12. At the secondary level, students can also take electronic music, piano and guitar classes. “Those three programs are quite rare,” D’Ulisse said, “even on Long Island public schools.”

The district also offers an Advanced Placement music theory course. Additional music opportunities at the high schools, including courses and extra-curricular activities, are jazz, concert, symphonic, pep and marching bands. He cited the award-winning marching bands at the high schools, which participate in numerous events every year including parades and music festivals.

In October, a combined Division and MacArthur high schools competitive marching band placed fifth in the New York State Field Band Conference in Syracuse. Division’s symphonic band received a gold rating each of the past three years at the New York State School Music Association’s Major Organizations at Hofstra, held every May, where the group plays for and are judged by professionals. Last year, the symphonic band also received a gold rating.

Every December, MacArthur’s winter wind ensemble performs at the Broadway Mall and at the Board of Education meeting, and Division’s chamber orchestra and choir perform at Barnes and Noble in Carle Place to raise money for the PTA. Salk Middle School’s orchestra has played at MacArthur Airport. “There’s so many types of performances that we do,” D’Ulisse said.

In June, a combined MacArthur and Division chorus will sing the National Anthem prior to a Mets game at Citi Field. Last month, musicians from both high schools combined to form the pit orchestra for Division’s theatrical performance of “Guys and Dolls,” as it did for MacArthur’s fall production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

There are also more than 60 daytime and evening concerts per year at the schools, which are free and open to the public.

A solid music foundation

Students in the elementary schools all receive a minimum of 40 minutes of music education per week, which follows state guidelines. Children who decide to pursue music further have chorus, band and orchestra at their disposal, and can pick just about any instrument they want, D’Ulisse said.

At the elementary level, music groups rehearse twice a week in the morning, and individual lessons are provided weekly, on a rotational basis so students don’t miss the same class more than once every six weeks. After sixth-grade, participation in music is optional. D’Ulisse said that teachers work hard to recruit students for the various ensembles. Efforts including visiting the general music classes in the elementary schools, visits to the cafeterias during lunch, announcements, recruitment videos and in-school performances, such as Music Mondays at East Broadway Elementary School.

A district music night in April allows parents of students in grades 2-4 to come and learn more about the program.

The district has 29 music teachers. D’Ulisse, in his second year in the district, gives them all the credit. “None of this is because of me,” he said. “It’s these people that actually make it happen.”

Earning the award

To receive a Best Communities for Music Education designation, D’Ulisse had to fill out an extensive survey. NAMM wanted to know how much of the budget was devoted to music education, the percentage of students taking music, course offerings, performances during and outside of the school day, community support for the program and more.

“Ensuring that every child has access to music in schools requires commitment by students, teachers, and those who determine school budgets, said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “We commend the districts and schools that have earned the Best Community designation this year. They join with so many that believe, as we do, that there is a vital link between do-re-mi and the ABCs.”

Though he didn’t have the exact number, D’Ulisse said that thousands of children and teenagers take advantage of Levittown’s musical offerings. The district has about 7,200 students.

“We’re very excited,” D’Ulisse said of the award. “It’s a very prestigious designation that hopefully brings awareness to the quality of music education that we have. There’s a lot of pride in Levittown and we feel that as a Music Department that we can contribute to that.”