By Christine McCue
As Massachusetts schools formulate fall reopening plans, and music educators await their own specialized guidance, at least one Boston program is being kept busy this summer with virtual classes for school-aged children.
Not long after the last day of school in June, more than 60 Boston children ages 5-12 had enrolled in the virtual Creative Summer program, developed and managed by the Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program (JQOP), a non-profit, school-based organization that serves Boston families. JQOP was able to create the summer program quickly thanks to having a remote infrastructure already in place since March when it was forced to move all music classes and lessons online for 250 children after Boston Public Schools shut down.
“For the past nine years, the heart of our program has been focused on providing an orchestra experience for Boston’s most vulnerable youth as a way to nurture individual expression, celebrate unique cultures, and develop social-emotional skills,” said JQOP Executive Director Chris Schroeder. “And even though Covid-19 forced us to change our traditional orchestra model, we’ve been able to quickly pivot to online classes that students and parents love, while continuing to engage youth in creative music projects into the summer months.”
Beth Harper is a parent of two elementary school children in Boston Public Schools and is also a Boston pediatrician who appreciates JQOP and the benefits it provides.
“Our children continue to have a great experience with JQOP, and that includes the Creative Summer program,” said Harper. “Music education has played an especially important and positive mental-health role during the pandemic. It fosters connections, and can be a creative outlet that helps children discover a passion, relieve stress, and find comfort at an otherwise frightening time.”
Building on the success of its school-year program, the Creative Summer program is organized into hour-long morning or afternoon classes that run five days a week in July and will continue into August. Age-appropriate classes are held virtually via Zoom with group lessons on a variety of topics, including music composition, improvisation, music technology, and doodling to music. Each student also receives private instrument lessons with teaching artists who are typically conservatory-trained musicians and music educators who normally perform regularly throughout Boston.
“The teaching artists are invaluable,” said Harper. “They’re trusted adult role models who can help children overcome all kinds of obstacles. It’s been wonderful to have our kids’ connection with them extend beyond the school year and into the summer.”
Looking ahead to the fall, Schroeder joins other Massachusetts music educators awaiting guidance from the state on what is possible for the upcoming school year in the midst of Covid-19, but it’s clear that youth music ensembles will continue to be presented with unique challenges, and he believes at least some virtual instruction is inevitable. Regardless of what will be required, Schroeder feels confident that JQOP is well positioned to meet the needs of students and families.
Erik Holmgren, program manager of Creative Youth Development for Massachusetts Cultural Council, agrees. “As music and education has undergone a seismic shift in program delivery due to Covid-19, the Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program has taken a leadership role in taking effective steps to continue to carry out its mission,” said Holmgren. “It has tapped into the artistic and educational expertise of the staff, young people, and the community to create an online learning environment that is defined by its assets, and not what is lacking.”
In an effort to help the school planning process across the U.S., the National Association for Music Education and National Federation of State High School Associations recently issued a report to help guide music educators on everything from scheduling, instrument demonstrations, and virtual instruction. In addition, more than 100 performing arts organizations have commissioned a study on the effects of Covid-19 to better understand what risks exist in performing arts classrooms and performance venues. Schroeder added, “While the Covid-19 pandemic has challenged our communities in unimaginable ways, it has tested our resiliency and allowed our team to demonstrate how we can work together to overcome adversity.”
Schroeder noted that an Aug. 13 virtual showcase of student work is planned for 7 p.m. Details will be posted on the JQOP website at: jqop.org.
The Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program was founded in 2011 as a non-profit, creative youth development organization that uses an intensive and unique ensemble-based music curriculum to help underserved children develop the skills necessary to succeed at school and in life. In partnership with Boston Public Schools and community groups across the City of Boston, it provides a variety of music programming serving more than 260 children ages 4-14 annually.
