Principal recognized for support of music program

JEFF GRANIT staff Music teachers Michael Bartlett and Barbara Cottrell show some of the tools of their trade while Appleby School Principal Karen Boyle looks on. Boyle is the winner of the 2008 New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) School Administrator Award for elementary schools, having been nominated by Bartlett and Cottrell. SPOTSWOOD- Students and staff at the Appleby School have for many years been hitting the right notes in their music classes and special programs.

It's a school where students in second through fifth grade can get a hands-on education in music performance and find out early on what it's like to create music in band, chorus and theater, and perform it for an audience.

For her support and promotion of the music program, Appleby School Principal Karen Boyle will receive this year's New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) School Administrator Award in the elementary school category.

Appleby music teachers Barbara Cottrell and Mike Bartlett nominated Boyle for the award, noting that in addition to participation in band, chorus and drama, students regularly perform at assemblies and community events. Students have also been afforded unique opportunities such as performing a musical dedicated to the Appleby chorus and drama students by writers Michael and Jill Gallina, and playing a commissioned piece while working with composer-in-residence Brad Schoener.

Donna Faulkenberry, a Board of Education member and parent whose children both participated inAppleby School music programs, said Boyle helped create systems where students get unique opportunities to learn about music. She said one of her sons last year took part in the composer in-residence program at Appleby. This allowed students to submit their own pieces of music to the professional composer, who wove the various pieces into an original composition and even conducted the students during a workshop. The students were then able to perform the piece at a public concert.

"It was just a great opportunity," Faulkenberry said.

Students also worked with composers/ lyricists Michael and Jill Gallina, who wrote a musical drama with the Appleby students in mind, Faulkenberry noted. Last year, Appleby students attended a conference in Pennsylvania where they performed the drama.

"The kids from Schoenly were able to showcase this new musical," Faulkenberry said of the students acting and singing in the musical.

In general, Boyle has empowered the fine and performing arts department to maximize their creativity and provide Appleby students with continuous opportunities to explore, perform and grow in fine arts education, according to school officials.

Boyle said she is thrilled to receive the award, but credited Bartlett and Cottrell for the challenging programs they devise, as well as the students themselves for meeting those challenges.

"I felt touched, honored and humbled," Boyle said. "I love the kids, I love the teachers. I'm just a supportive fan."

Boyle noted how she enjoys visiting the music classes and seeing the children perform music, and is amazed at the results the music teachers get from the students in such a short period of time, particularly since the teachers set "high standards."

She said she believes in the importance of music education.

"I really think you have to educate the whole child. It's more than just math, reading and writing. Every child has his or her own strengths and unearthed talent. This may be it for some of these kids," Boyle said, noting that performing music and singing with one another is a way for children to challenge themselves, and that it also helps with self-esteem.

The NJMEAselects a winner each year based on various criteria, including the school having an exemplary music program and the majority of the staff having an NJMEAmembership. Also, the administrator has to have held the position in the same district or school for at least three years; the person must be an "active advocate" for arts education; and a financial commitment has to have been made to the music program. In addition, the administrator must show strong leadership, good school management, and have a good rapport with teachers, parents, students and other administrators.

Boyle has served as Appleby principal since 2002 and is considered a "visible, vocal, articulate leader for educating the whole child," school officials wrote in the press release.

She is slated to receive the award during NJMEA's annual luncheon, being held in conjunction with the group's state convention at the Brunswick Hilton in East Brunswick Feb. 22.