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Newark High’s concert features Pachelbel’s Canon, with instruments made by Apple
Newark High’s concert features Pachelbel’s Canon, with instruments made by Apple
MARGIE FISHMAN
THE NEWS JOURNAL
For the cellist, Pachelbel’s Canon in D is a double-edged sword.
With only eight notes, the melody is a cinch to memorize. But it also gets old. Real fast.
That’s why Newark High School senior Izzi Sibbers is glad to be sidelined at Thursday night’s fall concert. A cellist since fifth grade, Sibbers will sit this one out with most of the other string instruments.
In their place: Six instruments with a peculiar pedigree.
Apple.
In a first at the high school, iPad players will perform electronic cello parts with three live violinists on stage.
“The performance is exciting and. exhilarating,” says school orchestra director Rosaria Macera. “And it offers mass appeal in bringing non-traditional – audiences in.”
A popular wedding march,-Pachelbel’s Canon is the only piece in Thursday night’s concert that will involve students from Macera’s Music Exploration Class. In its second year, the class …
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Learning to keep time just a finger tap away
The music exploration class at Newark High School was playing the blues.
They started with the beat, testing the right combinations of drum kits and instruments. Then it was on to the bass, mapping out a rhythm to match the drum rhythms written on the white board.
As they experimented, teacher Rosaria Macera jumped back and forth between students, making sure they kept time and arranged everything right.
How do you have a room full of kids learn drums, bass, guitar and piano all in one sitting, all at the same time? Give them a tablet computer with the right app, and cue the music.
“It’s definitely something different,” said Josh Morello, a 14-year-old student. “Honestly, it’s a very fun experience. I’ve honestly made some very good music that I never thought I could make.”
Named One of “50 Directors Who Make a Difference”
The annual list of music directors shines the spotlight on an incredible array of outstanding educators from every corner of the United States
Rosaria Macera, an instrumental music teacher and director at Newark High School and Shue-Medill Middle School, has been chosen for School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s 16th annual “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” report. The annual list of outstanding music directors shines the spotlight on an incredible array of outstanding educators from every corner of the United States. Those chosen for the list are nominated by readers and selected by SBO’s editorial staff. She has been teaching for 26 years and has a total of 292 instrumental music students.
“As a teacher, my proudest moment was achieving National Board Certification, but as a music educator, my proudest moment was performing on the stages of the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall with my students,” Macera said. “Working with students for up to seven years before graduation gives me a chance to really connect with them as individuals. During that time, I would hope to have made a difference in students’ lives by instilling a love of music and creating life-long learners. I want to teach students, by example, how music can enrich one’s life. I hope to share with them what I am passionate about and what brings me joy.”
Appointed to Delaware Professional Standards Board
The Governor’s nomination and appointment was approved and confirmed by the State Senate on June 19
Rosaria Macera, Music Teacher and District Music Chair, was appointed by Governor Markell to serve as a member of the Delaware Professional Standards Board (PSB). The Governor’s nomination and appointment was approved and confirmed by the State Senate on June 19. The PSB, created by the General Assembly, works in conjunction with the Department of Education and the State Board of Education to “establish a system of professional development, professional standards, licensure, certification and evaluation that serves to continually improve the quality of instruction for Delaware’s children so that they are equipped to work and succeed in an ever-changing and increasingly complex global economy.” The first meeting of the new board will be held on August 1.