Maine Motif Issue 2, Vol. II (Winter, 2018) | Page 10

Maine Kids Rock/Modern Band in
Maine
By Sue Barre, MMEA President
There are ten schools who are now almost a semester into the Little Kids Rock/Modern
Band Program here in Maine. The schools are from all around the state and span
elementary through high school:
• Central Community Elementary School, RSU 64
• Crescent Park and Woodstock Elementary Schools, RSU 44
• East End Community School, Portland Public Schools
• Houlton Middle/High School, RSU 29
• Katahdin Elementary, Middle and High Schools, RSU 50
• Medway Middle School, Medway School Department
• Meroby and Rumford Elementary Schools, RSU 10
• Penobscot Valley High School, RSU 31
• Troy Howard Middle School, RSU 71
• Waterville Senior High School, AOS 92
Those of us involved in the grant have attended two day-long trainings. In October,
members of MMEA met with the CEO and the education director for dinner in Lewiston
to speak at length about expanding their involvement here in Maine.
In my casual conversation with colleagues at the trainings and in my own classroom, I
can tell you that this organization is reaching a segment of students that do not usually
walk through our music room doors at the high school level. Traditionally, at Waterville
Senior High School, we have offered a Music Theory class annually that would attract
those diehard music students who are considering a major or minor in music. This year,
I have a class with the diehard music students enrolled in Modern Band and others who
I have not seen since General Music class in grade six. I am able to deliver the same
curriculum through the modern band venue (ch