Getting the band back together: Revived program is music to students' ears

 music teacher playing guitar in classThe performance was heartfelt and the transitions smooth considering the newness of the piece to them. Most important, the band played together despite having mainly practiced independently so far.

“We’ll get where we need to be, guys. You have a great positive attitude,” their teacher said as the final strains of the soul classic Lean On Me rang out. “Be happy with your progress. It’s really coming together.”

SWBOCES Music Teacher Andrew Ruoti’s class here at Irvington High School is making real music together. Miguel Lopez on keyboards, Andrew Murphy on bass, Zach Finkel on acoustic guitar, Ethan Lopez on electric guitar, and Xavier Pacheco on vocals all converge with digital drum loops to form the familiar melody of a song almost everybody knows.

“The main thing that I’m trying to do with the students that I’m working with is to use music as a vehicle for self expression,” Mr. Ruoti said. “That’s the underlying theme.”

 student playing electric bass He joined Southern Westchester BOCES this year and is part of a revival of the music program here. He also teaches at the Rye Lake Campus. In addition to Lean on Me, his students have been working on Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Bob Marley’s One Love.

At the start of the school year, Mr. Ruoti assessed his students’ musical skills and understanding and began to teach the major elements of music—rhythm, melody, harmony, etc. All school year they have enjoyed hands-on opportunities to apply these elements on various instruments.

They have delved into reading music, using software called SightReadingFactory via the website MusicFirstClassroom and even began working on their own original musical creations utilizing loops on the web-based application SoundTrap, also via MusicFirstClassroom. They’ve performed as an ensemble as they did on this day and have even recorded vocal and instrumental lines. The most recent lessons have centered around jazz and hip-hop artists.

Mr. Ruoti said that during Black History month the class discussed three essential areas through a musical lens: Adversities that African- Americans have faced that have inspired hope and resiliency, a rich cultural heritage, as well as triumphs and achievements that helped shape and influence our nation. 

“I did my best to utilize musical examples throughout history, which helped to illustrate these concepts,” he said. 

He has highlighted the importance of utilizing music as a vehicle for self-expression in an effort to empower students to communicate their feelings through the arts. “This is a major aspect of my teaching philosophy and approach,” he added. 

 teacher and student playing guitars in class Andrew’s musical tastes - metal, classical, jazz - are as diverse as his instrument choices. “I just like how it sounds,” he says of the bass guitar he plucks with confidence. “I’m also learning guitar at home and a little bit of piano.”

Zach, the acoustic guitarist, looks like he’s been holding a guitar for years. He likes the way the music comes together and seems to just pour out when he plays.

Their teacher is already looking to take things to another level, meanwhile.

“What I think would be amazing is, as we get comfortable strumming and playing, is if we could all come in and sing together,” Mr. Ruoti says.

Walking around the classroom tapping a handheld keyboard, he gives individual pointers and encouragement to his students while they perform. A sign on the wall, one of many, reads, “Life is all about making mistakes and learning from them.”

That’s a lesson that’s as applicable to life as it is to learning to make music.