An Interview with a Music Director

The Westbrook Music Boosters is pleased to share reflections from Suzanne Proulx, K–12 Director of Music. With a long-standing commitment to excellence in music education, Ms. Proulx leads our department in fostering a vibrant, spiraling K–12 program that inspires students, engages families, and enriches our community. In this blog, she outlines her goals for the year ahead, highlights exciting opportunities within the program, and offers her vision for continuing the tradition of musical excellence in Westbrook.

Suzanne Proulx, K-12 Director of Music

In Westbrook, we are so very fortunate to have such a reputable and award-winning music program. Each day I get to work with a dynamic team of outstanding music teachers committed to creating a vibrant and spiraling  k-12 program. I speak for all the music teachers when I say we are humbled by the outpouring of support from our Music Boosters, Parents and Community Members which ensures this program continues to thrive.   

I’ve been asked by the Boosters to reflect upon this year’s goals as we continue together in our pursuit for an outstanding music program:

What are you most looking forward to in the music program this school year?

1. I am looking forward to expanding the program, especially in the choruses.  We have increased numbers signed up and a great deal of them are NEW, younger students.

2. I am also so excited about this year’s new Marching Band show.  The music and the drill are both moving and exhilarating.  It was so thrilling to experience the “reveal” of the show following this summer’s band camp.  I have no doubt this will be another banner year for the program.

3. Getting to know our new Athletics and Activities Director, Mark Campbell, has been a breath of fresh air. I know we are going to have a mutually collaborative relationship in which we all support each other.

Are there any exciting concerts, trips, or new opportunities planned for students?

1. We have a set tradition of concert dates that mark the Fall, Holiday, Winter and Spring seasons. The list of concert dates has been refined and posted to School and Booster calendars. Of course we will also participate in other civic events, and respond to invitations to perform at Senior Citizen events or special requests if permissible. Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr Hendricks and I love to accept opportunities for our ensembles to perform throughout the year if at all possible.

2. The destination for the annual Chamber Singers Spring Tour is yet to be decided, but will be formalized in the next couple of weeks so that we can prepare the necessary fundraising efforts and obtain School Board approval.  You can count on the singers putting on another Annual Cabaret, and, of course, Swing-O-Rama / Auction with the Opus One Big Band again this year.

What goals do you have for the music department this year, both for students and the program overall?

1. I would like to see all Academic Ensembles at MS and HS,  as well as Marching Band/Guard continue to  have exciting and successful performances.

2. I would like to see music literacy and musicianship continue to improve at all levels. This is an annual goal.  Repertoire is very carefully selected and lessons are planned to challenge and to help students grow in this area. Last year all ensembles that participated in the MBDA and ACDA spring festivals were assessed at excellent or superior ratings for their performance and for sight-reading — our goal is for this trend to continue and improve.

3. I would like to see a record number of students prepare for auditions and be accepted to festivals at district and state levels.

4. I’d love to see more students become involved in the jazz programs at both MS and HS.

5. I would love to expand the instrument inventory at all levels to best provide access to all students.

6. Last year there were interactive Unified Arts presentations built into the parent-teacher conference nights where teachers shared a short lesson segment with parents. This was well-received, but I would like to see more parents participate in these opportunities for our elementary students to share their experience and to showcase the skills that they are learning in class.

How do you hope to inspire students to stay passionate and involved in music throughout the year?

1. I think we can inspire students as we give them opportunities to take ownership for the program, to have a voice in shaping performances and events, and to volunteer in the hard work of putting on events, etc.

2. It is critical to give recognition when we see students’ working hard and succeeding.  A well-deserved compliment goes a very long way to keep the morale and inspiration going.

3. We will continue our collaboration between HS and MS ensembles by preparing combined concerts, and have more frequent collaborative rehearsals where HS students can support and motivate the 9th grade students.

4. The All-City concerts cannot be overstated – these are perfect opportunities to demonstrate the growth from 5th to 12th grades, and to inspire young students to continue in the program, and to dream of their future experiences in high school.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students—new and returning—for making the most of this year in music?

BELIEVE IN THE INVALUABLE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE IN EVERY REHEARSAL/CLASS. Through your preparation, your attitude, your gratitude for your teachers’ and peers’ work, your willingness to be a role model and leader in your ensemble, your effort to let people know you see their accomplishments, and your investment in shaping a “community” of musicians – in these ways you are growing as a musician and as a human being. You are creating a legacy!