Photo by Daniel Olson Fairmont band teacher Kate Kallenbach helps student Adley Peymann test out a flute during fourth grade band/orchestra instrument try-outs on Tuesday.

FAIRMONT – With the number of events and students involved growing, Fairmont High School and Elementary School’s music programs are firing on all cylinders.

In May alone, six events are happening across the band, choir and orchestra groups. In addition to their standard concerts, the 11-12 grade orchestra will play at the Red Rock Center for the Arts from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 13, 9-11 grade orchestra and senior choir students will perform at Fairmont’s Commencement Ceremony, and the 9-12 grade band will play the Memorial Day parade and Veterans tribute.

Currently, 53 percent of all high school students are in one or more music extracurriculars. Orchestra teacher Katie Hoaglund said she has seen marked growth since her first year.

“When I started in 2019, there were 148 kids in orchestra,” she said. “Now there’s around 300 and it’s growing. I know choir is bursting at the seams, trying to find space for everyone. The numbers have always been strong, but right now they’re stronger.”

All students in the Fairmont School District can join, including those homeschooled or in a parochial school.

Although it can be a lot of work, Hoaglund said the music teachers enjoy getting everything together for their events.

“It’s a lot of coordination, especially because of how busy it is,” she said. “Who’s rehearsing when, ensuring the instruments make it. We have a lot of help from maintenance and custodial to ensure we have everything we need, administrators and teachers are a big support and help. We also have high-school volunteers for the younger kids. When we see the community come together, it’s so special.”

On the student side, Hoaglund said she’s seen several benefits for the kids in music extracurriculars.

“The value of participating in music is it’s good for your brain,” she said. “It’s time out of your day where you’re not on your screens which is good. Kids enjoy the creative aspect of it as well. I also love that it can be a lifelong pursuit if the students choose to do so.”

And it’s not just the high school that’s busy. The elementary school has its fair share of events. They had instrument tryouts Tuesday for fourth graders looking to join band or orchestra in fifth grade and their 3-6 grade choir concert Thursday night. In addition to these, the Elementary choir will be singing at the Anne Frank Tree dedication.

Music and choir teacher for 3-6 grade, Emily Labes, said students didn’t have to be in the choir concert, but around 300 students chose to do so anyway. Like the high school Labes said there has been significant growth in her time as well.

“Each year we have more excitement and kids at least trying it,” she said. “I think it’s because everyone can participate. If anyone wants to be in any or all of our groups, we help them be a part of those groups regardless of ability level or financial hurdles.”

Another factor Labes pointed out, which also makes it easier for the teachers to set everything up, is the flexibility with other activities.

“I know sports, baseball, softball, soccer practices, they’re adjusting the practice schedules to ensure kids can come to this concert,” she said. “Upcoming band and orchestra concerts make it a busy May, so we’re thankful for our coaches and parents adjusting schedules to ensure everything works out.”

Labes said across 3-6 choir and 5-6 grade band and orchestra, around 90 percent of eligible students are in at least one of the three groups.

While they sharpen their musical skills, Labes said there are several non-musical skills elementary music programs enhance as well.

“Reading, language, concentration, math development through rhythm, pattern recognition, confidence, cultural understanding and all of this happens while making music which kids usually do for fun,” she said.

Looking forward, the Fairmont School Orchestra will be performing at Interlaken Heritage Days in June. Students interested in adding more music during the summer can also join Summer Symphony and/or marching band.