Bob Mark’s resume reads like a repertory of musical accomplishments. On a short list, he developed the successful instrumental music program at Northfield Mount Herman School, conducted the orchestra at Keene State College, was the upper string coach for the Dartmouth Symphony, coached chamber music at composer’s conferences and in various living rooms, composed works for young performers, developed educational programs for and performed with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and co-founded the Upper Valley Music Center. This latest accomplishment is the springboard for his current passion, the development of a five-year program for Kindergarten through Grade 4 students to introduce musical literacy at the same time that children are learning to read and write.
Through this program, young students would become comfortable with musical instruments just as they get to know books, crayons, pencils, computers and sports. Bob explains the concept using a sports analogy, “Just like dribbling a basketball is not playing basketball, finding and repeating a G on an instrument is not playing music.”
“The goal is for students to learn about music long before picking up an instrument. With an understanding of music, the student can find his or her voice, pick the instrument that fits, and have a musical conversation using the instrument as opposed to simply memorizing the notes or playing by rote.”
The seed for this direction was first planted in 1963 at Bob’s first teaching position at an elementary boarding school and organic farm in Lake Placid, New York. Students “learned by doing,” for example, by caring for the animals, planting and harvesting crops, measuring water use, and making music stands. Bob started an instrumental music program that had 45 students participating in an orchestra with music he wrote to capture their imagination by using familiar tunes in a classical presentation.
He took the experiential lessons from the organic farm with him to a “real job” at Northfield Mount Herman School, a private secondary boarding school in Northfield, Massachusetts. The school had a strong choral program but no instrumental program. Bob developed the instrumental music and applied music major program that is still going strong. He also taught and conducted at Keene State College and performed throughout the region.
When he moved to Norwich, Bob met Louis Cornell, Ed Childs, Marcia Williams, John Head, and Elinor Horne. They, along with a small group of musicians, founded The Upper Valley Music Center in 1995. Their inspiration for the center came from a questionnaire to 250 community members. Over 200 responses were returned and clearly stated a need for an outlet for playing chamber music. As Bob explains, similar to birders, quilters, book clubs, and club sport teams, chamber players are a dedicated and knowledgeable group who need a network to get together to “play.”
The center has been successful in meeting this need. The Chamber Ensemble Program offers players a wide choice of organized groups devoted to the study and enjoyment of chamber music. Participants are assigned to groups according to compatibility, level of experience, and expressed preferences. An expert musician coaches each ensemble; players work together on an assigned piece during a four-week session, meeting at the homes of players or the coach. On average, 35 chamber players participate each term and 170 different players have take advantage of the opportunity over the past four years.
With the success of the Chamber Ensemble Program, the Center grew to meet the need for other musical outlets.
A reading orchestra program was initiated by Ed Childs and has grown to over 40 participants. Bob initiated a string orchestra that now has 14 people, and a beginning orchestra that currently has 57 middle school students. The Music Center Orchestra is devoted to the study of basic orchestral literature. Under the baton of Troy Peters, Music Director of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, the group meets weekly during two-month sessions spaced throughout the year. There are no auditions or public performances. All instrumentalists are welcome to play.
Marcia Williams initiated a youth chorus that has grown to over 65 in the youth chorus and 36 in a children’s chorus under the direction of Becky Luce and Carol Hartman. The Youth Chorus is open to young singers ages eight to twelve. The Children’s Chorus provides an introduction to singing in a chorus for children in first and second grades. No experience is necessary.
This year, the summer youth program has been expanded for Kindergarten through Grade 12 to include a Children’s Chorus Camp, an opportunity to experiment on the instruments of their choice in “Meet the Instruments,” a beginning orchestra, and Elements of Music.
On the management side, the co-founders are actively involved. Currently, Bob serves as Treasurer of the Center and Louis serves as President. The center publishes its mission: “to encourage the teachers, students, musicians, and concertgoers of the Upper Valley to collaborate in the study, performance, and enjoyment of music.” To this end, the organization provides ensemble opportunities for musicians of all ages and levels of experience; operates as a resource center to provide access to the area’s many musical activities and organizations; and is committed to creating a place for people to come together to develop their musical knowledge, proficiency, and enjoyment.
The next step, as Bob sees it, is to raise $300,000 to launch a five-year Kindergarten through Grade 4 program in a school. Seed money for research and development of the program has been provided by the Bryne Foundation.
“Music can be the glue to hold together learning in the early grades. Children have things to say. There’s a magic in music,” said Bob. “When children understand music, they can have a conversation and say something to each other and to the audience. The experience empowers children through participation.”
“Music is not complicated. There are only seven note names. Students just need to put them in the right order and find them on the instrument. The adventure is in discovering the music, not the notes.”
“Even if the child never stays with an instrument or continues to sing in a chorus, the student can be a good clapper when they understand the music.”