Music
Mission Statement
The Amherst Central Schools Department of Music Education serves as a resource for the development of musical knowledge, musical skills, aesthetic exploration, attitude development, and provides for the personal growth of each individual. The music curriculum is aligned with the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts as well as the National Music Standards.
A Robust Music Curriculum at Smallwood
General Music
The curriculum comprises a balanced and sequential course of singing, playing instruments, listening to music, improvising or composing music and moving to music. Also included are learning experiences designed to develop the ability to read music, use the notation and terminology of music, analyze and describe music, make informed evaluations concerning music and understand music and music practices in relation to history, culture and to other disciplines in the curriculum. Students learn by actively participating in making music and in understanding the basic principles of music such as Rhythm (Beat , Meter, Duration, Rhythmic Pattern), Melody (Pitch, Melodic Contour, Melodic Patterns, Melodic Phrases, Scales/Tonality), Harmony (Texture, Chords, Linear Harmony), Timbre/Tone Color (Vocal, Instrumental, Classroom Instruments), Expression (Style, Dynamics, Tempo), Form, Vocal Skills, Instrumental Skills, Innovation (Composition and Improvisation), Historical and Cultural Context, and Critical Response.
Instrumental Music
Instrumental Music begins in Grade 4. Students are offered the opportunity to select the band or string instrument of their choice near the end of Grade 3. Although students are generally encouraged to study an instrument of their own choosing, they may be directed towards a particular instrument because of his or her physical characteristics, the need for ensemble balance or other factors relating to the varying demands of a particular instrument. Band instruments which are offered are flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Students playing these instruments will be placed in the 4th Grade or 5th Grade Band. As a group, the 5th-grade band works toward being able to play NYSSMA level 1 band music by the end of the year.
Chorus
All students in grades 3, 4 & 5 are members of a choral ensemble. Each chorus meets once per week for 40 minutes. In our rehearsals, we learn about topics such as harmony/part singing, reading music notation, creating beautiful sounds with the proper use of breathing, posture and tonal exercises, and working together as an ensemble.
Orchestra
Lessons
Students receive one group lesson per week and Band/Orchestra rehearsals outside of the school day. Each student will rent their instrument from any number of local music dealers. The district will distribute rental forms from various dealers, but parents may rent from anywhere. Students are asked to practice 20 minutes per day to refine and maintain their skills. Weekly assignments are given and are indicated on a practice record sheet for each student. Students are assessed on their performance at each lesson. Students are highly encouraged to continue their musical experience by participating in middle school ensembles.
Meet Our SDS Staff
Angela Antersol
Angela Antersol is the band director at Smallwood Drive School. Under her direction, the Smallwood Elementary Band has earned multiple Gold Medal ratings at NYSSMA Major Organization Festivals and its first ever Gold with Distinction rating. Before coming to Amherst, she taught band, classroom music and chorus in Brasher Falls, NY, where she was the founder of their elementary instrumental program. She completed her Masters degree in Music Education Pedagogy through the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam where she also earned a Performer’s Certificate on clarinet and was a Presidential Scholar. An active member of ECMEA, Mrs. Antersol formerly served as Instrumental Librarian, and as a member of the Executive board. In 2002 and 2003 she chaired the All-County Elementary Band. She chaired the All-County Elementary Orchestra in 2014. She will be chairing the All-County Elementary Band again in 2017. She is a member of NYSSMA and NAfME. She is certified as an All-State woodwind adjudicator for NYSSMA and frequently adjudicates during the spring solo festivals and is sought after as an adjudicator for many local county solo festivals around Western New York. In addition to her teaching, Mrs. Antersol has performed with the Erie County Wind Ensemble on both Bb and Eb Clarinet and performs as part of a local clarinet choir. She recently presented and performed at the ECMEA Conference Day for Music Educators.
Julie Furlong
Julie Furlong teaches general music and chorus to students in grades K-5 at Smallwood Elementary in the Amherst Central School District. Julie received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, and her Master’s degree from the University at Buffalo, studying education with a music concentration. She is the Assistant Conductor for the “Presto” ensemble of the ABC Bel Canto choir. As the Lead Teacher for the Amherst School District’s “Link Up” Collaboration Concert, Julie received training through Carnegie Hall on the program, and coordinates an interactive concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra involving over 600 students biannually. Julie was the recipient of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/Erie County Music Educators’ Association Award for Excellence in Music Education in 2011. At school, she has served on the Smallwood Leadership Team and coaches the “Girls on the Run” team, training girls to run a 5K race while learning about self-esteem and bully prevention. Julie is a member of the Erie County Music Educators Association (ECMEA), where she presented at the 2010 Classroom Music Festival, and at both the 2014 and 2017 WNY Conference Days for Music Educators. She serves on the boards of the NY chapter of the Gordon Institute of Music Learning (NY-GIML), where she was a presenter at the 2011 Spring Workshop, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Education Committee.
Ada Wolfanger
Ada Wolfanger began her career at Amherst in 2010, and loves teaching classroom music to students in Pre-K - 5th Grade at both Windermere Boulevard School and Smallwood Drive School. She also team-teaches 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade chorus at both elementary schools. Ada is a member of both the Gordon Institute of Music Learning and the Western New York Orff-Schulwerk Association. Both approaches to music learning are blended together in her classroom to encourage the development of a lifelong love of music. Ada earned both her Bachelor of Music Education (2007) and Master of Music Education (2009) from SUNY Fredonia. Before moving to Buffalo in 2010, Ada spent two years teaching in Penn Yan Central School District, in Yates County.