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Music enriches SCS pupils

By Staff reports 2 min read
RAISING THEIR VOICES — Elementary students in the Steubenville City School District are raising their voices in song through the Fourth-Grade Music Enrichment program. The program will eventually lead up to the district’s gifted music program. Pupils from East Garfield, Pugliese West, McKinley STEM Academy and Wells Academy are practicing each week with program instructor Glory Dami. They have even performed in public venues. The current members in the program include, from left, front, Jiovanni Turner, Victoria Culp and Karmyn Ross; second row, Alex Henderson, Kace Yourkovich, Parker Tingler and Tessa Filtz; third row, Madison McCoy, Olivia Buffo and Lacy Smith; fourth row, Andee Walker and Isabella Leek; fifth row, Ta’nasia Smallwood, Lily Kotsanis, Corey Miller and Marea Jackson; sixth row, Jordan Newlon, Arya Lawrence and Lana Davis; and back, Ashtyn Mitchell, Braylen Jackson and Nina Lumpkin. Other participants include Ca’Ryiah Cason, Maleah Ellis, Zaynah Fuller, Atticus Rader, Ethan Ramsey, Luis Romero, Daniel Soto and Marcus Taft. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE -- Pupils in the Steubenville City School District are raising their voices in song through the Fourth-Grade Music Enrichment program.

Those from East Garfield, Pugliese West, McKinley STEM Academy and Wells Academy are participating in the program, now in its third decade. The children meet each week at Wells Academy with instructor Glory Dami, music educator at Wells and Steubenville High School Fine Arts alumna.

"The purpose of the program is to service students identified as musically gifted, providing exposure to higher-level musical concepts and enrichment activities," Dami explained. "The initial roots of the program date back to 1991 when it was started by Scott Wolodkin, current Steubenville High School choir director and Steubenville City Schools Fine Arts Department head. The music enrichment program went through several phases evolving to our current format in 2020, which was created by Abby Macre, Harding Middle School choir director, and Jacqueline Reeves, SCS director of gifted education."

Dami noted the upcoming fourth-graders are screened at the end of the school year for possible music-gifted traits. Those earning a qualifying score are then invited to take part in the assessment process based on Ohio Department of Education guidelines. The students are assessed in the areas of melody, rhythm, vocal technique and improvisation, with the top scorers being invited to take part in the music enrichment program.

"Music enrichment students engage in several community performances and end with a closing showcase and awards ceremony in April," Dami concluded. "We are also proud to have been invited to sing the national anthem for the second time at the Wheeling Nailers hockey game on March 23."

The enrichment program was the beginning of the district's gifted-music program. It includes students in fourth through 12th grade.

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