Music Across Borders: Bringing Students Together

Thursday night at David E. Owens Middle School, a special and unique performance was organized by Heidi Kolb, the music teacher and band director at the middle school.

Kolb got together with friend and fellow music teacher Mary Nussear, the band director at Seltzer School in Dumont, to bring together the bands from both of their schools.

Kolb and Nussear know each other from playing in the Ridgewood Concert Band, and after years of playing together, they realized they both teach at schools in neighboring towns. 

Both teachers thought it would be “fun and exciting” to bring the students together.  The performance was called “Music Across Borders," because even though the students are from different towns, the teachers thought they could still relate to each other and establish friendships and have new experiences through music.

The two middle school bands met Thursday afternoon at David E. Owens, before their evening performance, to participate in special workshops along with professional musicians brought in by Kolb. The professional musicians included those with record deals and those who have been on tour and they all donated their time and skills for the students.  

Each section of the band was partnered up with a musician that played their instrument; the young flute players spent their time in the work shop with a professional flute player, and so on.

Music Across Borders was a fundraiser for both David E. Owens and Seltzer School, with both schools splitting the proceeds towards music related items.   Students from both Dumont and New Milford tremendously enjoyed the experience.

“It was really fun meeting new people and being able to play music with other kids,” said Mercedes Rivera from Seltzer School.