Call them the music men.
Young, enthusiastic, animated even; these guys don’t just love music, they were born to teach music; and they’re pretty hip, too so the kids get them.
Josh Cushing, 26, grew up in Waterford. He studied music education at the University of Delaware.
Trevor Sindorf, 25, is from Pennsylvania and he also studied music education at Delaware.
But it’s no coincidence the two ended up teaching at Montville High School. Cushing is the school’s choir director and Sindorf band director. Cushing came home after college and said he was lucky enough to get the post at MHS. And when the band director position was available, he knew who would fit the bill.
So now, they’re the music department’s dream team; two guys that love music and love teaching it to kids.
“We have the same training, we’re on the same page with music education,” Trevor said. “Our big point, our message: we want to give kids the skills to make music beyond high school.”
He provides anecdotal evidence that makes his point: “Someone said to me, I used to play trombone in high school. I asked, ‘Why don’t you still play.’ And that’s the point. Help kids become autonomous music learners so they can take it with them their lives beyond high school.”
Choir & band camp; Like 'Glee' only better
“We had a blast. They learned a lot, so they could hit the ground running. It was great,” Cushing said of his choir camp, in its second year. Like band, where camp prior to the opening of the school year is the norm to get some fundamentals down – “like football,” Sindorf said – choir camp this summer saw kids from concert, treble, and chamber choir’s resembling a scene from ‘Glee.’ Only cooler and real.
“I mean they just really got into it. They learned 17, four-part harmony Christmas carols in a week. Incredible.”
Cushing shared this video, an update that shows just how much fun kids had, but also, just how much they learned. And how amazingly well they sing.
And here's Montville High School Music Department's YouTube channel!
At the camp, the students sang and played team-building games, they worked on their harmonies and they learned their parts. And if the video is any indication, they’ll sound as strong and confident as the best of any choir, anywhere.
Cushing was helped by visiting choir/chorus directors; Judy Abrams from Tyl Middle School and Melanie Wade, director of instrumental and vocal music at Grasso Tech in Groton.
For more information on the Montville High School music program check out the comprehensive Web site that covers all things band: beginning, marching, concert, jazz and percussion ensemble and choir; a capella, treble, chamber and concert, as well as upcoming events, practices and more.
Plus, with the holidays right around the corner, we’ll be able to hear for ourselves those 17, four-part harmony Christmas carols.
