Ridgeview Charter School Celebrates Long-Standing Music Program

From Fulton Co. Schools: Recollections of middle school music might conjure memories of squeaky clarinets, off-pitch violins and chaotic choral and band rooms. The music program at Ridgeview Charter School (RCS) in Sandy Springs has changed that stereotype to become one of the school’s most popular and successful programs. Nearly 70% of RCS students are involved in band, orchestra or chorus, while the remainder take a general music class. The national average for middle school music involvement hovers between 30-50%.

Thanks to the hard work and patience of long-term RCS teachers Mike Gibson, band director, and recently-retired choral director Dr. Susan Messer, the music program has become a solid RCS institution. Their secret? “We expect the best,” says orchestra teacher Jessie Dixon, an RCS alumna. “And we’re consistent with that. When we give that expectation to our kids, it shows in performances.” Gibson concurs, adding “We’ve been really lucky and have had some great kids.” Assistant band, chorus and general music teacher Darby Stanton, a graduate of Alpharetta High School, shared how many rambunctious students seem to settle down when they walk into the music rooms.

Twenty-two years ago, Gibson came to the school to a small band program “in shambles”: instruments were in disrepair and vandalized, and kids took band to goof around. With a modest budget, he resourcefully repurposed old tech computers and reallocated other departments’ unused funds to buy and repair instruments.

Now, RCS has seven bands on multiple competency levels including two jazz ensembles, as well as several orchestras and choruses. They produce an annual spring musical, and jazz band and chorus perform community gigs. The select jazz combo goes to the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University each year to learn jazz standards and improvisation.

All three groups regularly receive top scores at the annual Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) and learn pieces above middle-school level. Gibson added an intermediary band for students not ready to advance to Honor Band, to allow for more one-on-one instruction, develop proficiency and prevent dropping out. New technology allows students to record home practice sessions and upload the data for teacher evaluation.

Choral teacher and new hire Jesse Gilbert recalled being handed the daunting reins of a well-established program, but she feels blessed to come into a program where the standards are so high.

Ten years ago, all three groups performed their concerts together; now the program is so large they schedule their own concert nights. Stanton was hired to help offload the other teachers’ loads and reduce class size, and emphasized how they, as musicians, continue to develop their art outside work through participation in professional ensembles. But at RCS, they do it for the love of music and the kids. “That same love I received from my teacher,” said Dixon, “I like to give to my students.” And as he was honored at his final May 7th band concert, concluding his 22-year RCS career, Gibson said he felt satisfied.

Image Via Fulton Co. Schools