Middle School bands perform for school board as district invests in music education

LACONIA — The Laconia School District has upped its investment in music programming in response to dropping participation levels resulting from the pandemic.

Students from Laconia Middle School’s bands performed for the school board at its Oct. 18 meeting.

Members of the sixth grade band performed “Spooky Scary Skeletons” and members of the seventh and eighth grade band performed “The Addams Family.” Following these performances, music teachers ​​Marc DiDonato and Danielle Janos led the board in an activity using boom whackers, plastic tubes that play a note when struck. 

After the performance, Superintendent Steve Tucker highlighted the district’s efforts to invigorate music and arts education coming out of the pandemic. Music education and participation faced unique hurdles due to the pandemic, from the logistical challenges to access obstacles. 

Each of the district’s three elementary schools now have their own art and music teacher, Tucker noted, when they had previously shared. High school band participation has doubled since last year.