Olivia Liu
Writer '20
There are many important subjects in the throughout the normal school day such as math, english, history, and physical education. But, there is one class that rises above and is a combination of all these subjects: music. Not only does this class combines all of these subjects, it also incorporates communication. Communication is a skill more important than any class and is one of the most important necessities for students to obtain. Mr. Rutkowski, the school music teacher, is nothing but an exceptional educator in music and teaches students the language of music daily in room 218. “I fell in love with the idea of helping young people learn to love music,” Rutkowski said, “ It was my destiny!” Being on faculty at the Mannes School of Music and a solo clarinetist, Rutkowski is a virtuoso at teaching both outside and inside of North High School. While some of his teaching methods may be unorthodox, such as sight reading all nine beethoven symphonies in the first nine weeks of school every year, overall they are extremely effective and encourage students to practice their instruments. Although he gets his students to practice, “ it isn't easy. I have to work very hard to get as many students to meet their responsibilities as I can,” he says, ”Some students make it easy for me (like you and a few others). But most of them must be pushed and pushed.”
Rutkowski begins his day with the chamber music class at 7:15 every morning. On mondays, tuesdays and thursdays, the smaller ensembles practice their pieces for the Lincoln Center Competition in multiple rooms throughout the building. On wednesdays, the large chamber ensemble rehearses in room 218 and on fridays, the class performs lobby music near the main entrance. Then, starting second period, Rutkowski begins teaching his first class. In every class, he begins with a scale which he changes every two weeks. Then, the attack exercises and the scale in every step. Next, the class stands up and rehearses the solfege. Finally, the class rehearses their rhythm charts. For his band classes, they rehearse the Husa after their daily warm ups. On the first day of every week, typically a Monday, each student is assessed on the current scale and given a score out of ten, to make sure each student is doing his or her homework by practicing the scales. After the daily warm ups or the assessment, the class begins rehearsing the repertoire. On the first nine weeks of school, Rutkowski sight reads all nine Beethoven Symphonies with all of his classes. Following those nine weeks is The Rite of Spring. Then, after those weeks, Rutkowski rehearses the winter concert repertoire.
After school, on Mondays and Thursdays there is after school band and during the rest of the week, there is after school orchestra. In after school orchestra, students could either sight read Beethoven symphonies or rehearse the repertoire for the upcoming concert depending on the time during the school year. For after school band, students can rehearse the Husa music. On certain days, after the after school activities, Rutkowski conducts the pit rehearsals for The Three Penny Opera. In addition, he helps host the Tri-M advisor for the school, or the chapter 2605.
Every day, students use their brains for daily functions including making decisions and remember to complete tasks. Musicians unlock their brain more than anyone else because they have a stronger Corpus Callosum - the nerves connecting the two hemispheres of the brain together. In addition, Music is a powerful phenomenon,” Rutkowski says, I am convinced that music is the most important subject that must be taught in every school to every student, because that is the one subject EVERYONE uses for the rest of our lives.”Playing an instrument is the equivalent to giving the brain a full body workout, and music is the most important subject of the day that strengthens the brain. Only 20% of children practice an instrument, and 70% of adults wished they did. Remember, what's the most important thing? Downbeat. What’s the second most important thing? Posture. An empty chair makes no… sound.
Writer '20
There are many important subjects in the throughout the normal school day such as math, english, history, and physical education. But, there is one class that rises above and is a combination of all these subjects: music. Not only does this class combines all of these subjects, it also incorporates communication. Communication is a skill more important than any class and is one of the most important necessities for students to obtain. Mr. Rutkowski, the school music teacher, is nothing but an exceptional educator in music and teaches students the language of music daily in room 218. “I fell in love with the idea of helping young people learn to love music,” Rutkowski said, “ It was my destiny!” Being on faculty at the Mannes School of Music and a solo clarinetist, Rutkowski is a virtuoso at teaching both outside and inside of North High School. While some of his teaching methods may be unorthodox, such as sight reading all nine beethoven symphonies in the first nine weeks of school every year, overall they are extremely effective and encourage students to practice their instruments. Although he gets his students to practice, “ it isn't easy. I have to work very hard to get as many students to meet their responsibilities as I can,” he says, ”Some students make it easy for me (like you and a few others). But most of them must be pushed and pushed.”
Rutkowski begins his day with the chamber music class at 7:15 every morning. On mondays, tuesdays and thursdays, the smaller ensembles practice their pieces for the Lincoln Center Competition in multiple rooms throughout the building. On wednesdays, the large chamber ensemble rehearses in room 218 and on fridays, the class performs lobby music near the main entrance. Then, starting second period, Rutkowski begins teaching his first class. In every class, he begins with a scale which he changes every two weeks. Then, the attack exercises and the scale in every step. Next, the class stands up and rehearses the solfege. Finally, the class rehearses their rhythm charts. For his band classes, they rehearse the Husa after their daily warm ups. On the first day of every week, typically a Monday, each student is assessed on the current scale and given a score out of ten, to make sure each student is doing his or her homework by practicing the scales. After the daily warm ups or the assessment, the class begins rehearsing the repertoire. On the first nine weeks of school, Rutkowski sight reads all nine Beethoven Symphonies with all of his classes. Following those nine weeks is The Rite of Spring. Then, after those weeks, Rutkowski rehearses the winter concert repertoire.
After school, on Mondays and Thursdays there is after school band and during the rest of the week, there is after school orchestra. In after school orchestra, students could either sight read Beethoven symphonies or rehearse the repertoire for the upcoming concert depending on the time during the school year. For after school band, students can rehearse the Husa music. On certain days, after the after school activities, Rutkowski conducts the pit rehearsals for The Three Penny Opera. In addition, he helps host the Tri-M advisor for the school, or the chapter 2605.
Every day, students use their brains for daily functions including making decisions and remember to complete tasks. Musicians unlock their brain more than anyone else because they have a stronger Corpus Callosum - the nerves connecting the two hemispheres of the brain together. In addition, Music is a powerful phenomenon,” Rutkowski says, I am convinced that music is the most important subject that must be taught in every school to every student, because that is the one subject EVERYONE uses for the rest of our lives.”Playing an instrument is the equivalent to giving the brain a full body workout, and music is the most important subject of the day that strengthens the brain. Only 20% of children practice an instrument, and 70% of adults wished they did. Remember, what's the most important thing? Downbeat. What’s the second most important thing? Posture. An empty chair makes no… sound.