M Is for Music

When the class day ends, the music is just beginning.    

---

On Monday and Thursday evenings, after practice and dinner but before study hall, is a time known as M Block. While all of the classrooms are eerily quiet, Hard Auditorium and the basement of the School Building are alive with music.

The Honors Vocal Chamber Ensemble belts out various chords of Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies” in the newly renovated auditorium. In a practice room below, a handful of students in Honors Contemporary Music Performance work out the rhythm to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” on the keyboard, drums, and bass guitar. Down the hall, the Honors Chamber Ensemble also plays Winehouse’s song on their violins, flute, trombone, oboe, and cello. This is only a sampling of the music the ensembles are learning this term.

“The beauty of M Block is that it gives students the flexibility to be involved in the music ensemble when previously their schedule might have prevented them from taking part,” explains Dr. Ryan Burns, director of music. “Nearly forty students are currently participating for credit or auditing the courses. Even more students are able to join during the winter and spring terms.”

In addition to the ensembles, students have the opportunity to enroll in music instruction during M Block or the school day. Pomfret offers private music lessons and a range of music courses from guitar ensemble to music production to songwriting. When the music rooms and recording studio are not being used for class, students can be found practicing and jamming out during their free period. 

“I enjoy going in during my free blocks and practicing. It is really awesome that we can practice whenever we want,” says Daniel Onwuka ’24, who plays the drums and is new to Pomfret. “The people in Contemporary Music are really cool, and I probably wouldn't have gotten to know them so quickly without the class. After M Block, sometimes they want to stay and continue to play for hours.”

Members of ensembles recently performed in Chapel, during an Open Mic Night, and at the launch events for the Amplify campaign. They are practicing for Family Weekend and will soon shift their focus to Candlelight — one of Pomfret's most beloved traditions. 

Previous students, such as Austin Kendig ’22, Chelsea Cutler ’15, and Ainsley Wilburn ’22, have used their experience in the music program to write their own songs and launch their careers.

“It is great to see the music program grow and meet the needs of the students,” says Burns. “I am hopeful we can continue to cultivate our students' talents and put on a great concert at the end of the year.”