The district made the decision to combine the two choral music positions last February, opening a larger position for a single teacher. Despite the challenges of managing two schools, Choir Director Abbe Lane has stayed positive and adaptable.
“Obviously she’s teaching more grades and it’s very new for her, but I think so far she’s doing a good job,” junior choir student Emma Winter said.
The change was sudden and was not confirmed until the end of the last school year.
“I found out that the positions were going to become one in February,” Lane said. “I waited a little bit to sign my contract, though, and didn’t do that until May, and that’s really when it became official.”
It comes as no surprise that different departments around the school are losing both staff members and classes. Lane is determined to push through, taking advantage of the circumstances.
“The two positions became one due to budget cuts in the district, because of the failed referendum in November,” Lane said. “But I feel like Mr. Davis (elementary school music teacher) has done a really great job at the elementary school getting kids excited about music, and I want to keep that excitement going throughout middle school. I also want to help the older middle school grades prepare for high school.”
Perhaps the most drastic change from last year is how many tasks Lane is now responsible for. Excluding classes, Lane is also in charge of several after-school groups and performances.
“I have two sections of sixth-grade choir, one seventh, one eighth, and then one high school choir, and I teach one independent study during sixth hour. Then, after school, I am the music director and regular director of the musical, and I also direct the Encore a cappella group and Soundwave show choir,” Lane said.
Despite the challenges, Lane’s excitement is far from gone. With support from staff and students, the busiest part of the year is underway. Musical season began in late August, and will run through the last performance night on Nov. 15. There have been some noticeable changes, but students are readily anticipating the production.
“The musical is definitely different; there are eighth graders this year,” Winter said. “Since it just started, I feel like she might be a little stressed. I mean, she’s always stressed, but since it’s a big production, I would expect that from anybody.”
The music department is always bustling, and with now over triple the number of students as last year, there will definitely be more busy times during the school year. One specific example is the local music festival that Berlin schools participate in every year.
“I think Solo & Ensemble in the spring is going to be tough,” Lane said. “I have close to 170 students that I see every day. If every single one of those students wants to do a Solo & Ensemble event, that’s a lot of events for me to pick music for and to help students practice for, and also coordinate on the day of solo ensemble.”
Solo and ensemble is something that music students look forward to each year. As they get the opportunity to present a piece of prepared music to a judge, students grow in their confidence and ability. Berlin High School will host the event this school year on Saturday, Feb. 28.
“I foresee that being very stressful, especially because we’re hosting,” Lane said.
Although this transition would be frustrating and difficult for anyone, other staff have noted her persistent and, sometimes, stubborn attitude towards the betterment of her students.
“I think Ms. Lane is more than capable of doing it and handling it. I think she’s got energy, she’s smart, and she certainly wants, with every bit of her being, for it to succeed,” Director of Instrumental Music Ben Ruetten said.
