By introducing new ideas into the music program, choir director Ryan Carlin is helping students grow their love for music in the choir program.
Carlin, who started teaching at the high school this year, is establishing new ideas for his students, including independence, new musicality and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
According to sophomore Ava Collaton, she enjoys the new found independence Carlin produces for his students.
“I really like the fact that he makes us more independent singers without abandoning us,” Collaton said.
Collaton also said that being a “new teacher” in an “already established group” can be hard, but that Carlin is really great at making the classes feel important.
“I do enjoy the class itself and the way he teaches it,” Collaton said.
Carlin said that he always felt music programs created a safe space for him, and he wants to generate that for his students.
“The first thing that I felt super comfortable in [were] music programs,” Carlin said.
Carlin feels that music programs are necessary, and not for another scholarly reason, but that “music has value just because its music.”
According to junior Jacen Reed, his music taste has grown due to Carlin’s appearance at this school.
“He’s helped me learn more and listen to more music, and he’ll expand that out over my next two years here,” Reed said.
Reed also believes that this new exposure to music has helped his love for music grow.
“He’s definitely exposed me to more music that I typically wouldn’t listen to.”
Sophomore Becca Lemon has also enjoyed being in an environment she feels safe in.
“It’s always just such a fun and uplifting class,” Lemon said.
Lemon also is happy to have a teacher that shows students their passion.
“You can really tell he’s passionate. He’s just great at what he’s doing in general too,” Lemon said.
Carlin wants to show that music will always have an impact on schools, so he has decided to take part in Tri-M, a national honor society for musicians in grades 6-12.
“The National Association For Music Education (NAFME) is a national group, really just focused on advocacy of making sure that music stays in schools, and that music education is valued,” Carlin said. “This is going to really bridge the gap between orchestra, band and choir, and bring those three programs together.”
Carlin is also the new orchestra director, and he said this was a new but good challenge for him.
“I like variety. I don’t like to do the same thing over and over again. It’s keeping me on my toes as a teacher as well,” Carlin said.
Carlin also said that being an orchestra director is “similar to what a vocalist is doing” and that so far, it has been a “fun and interesting experience.”
After graduating from Temple University and earning his master’s degree from Valley Forge University, Carlin taught at Williamstown High School and in the Council Rock School District.
Carlin also taught in both Philadelphia and South Jersey before accepting a position at Souderton.
In the past Carlin has taught AP Music Theory, which is not currently offered at the high school.
“I love the AP music theory class. I’ve taught for all my years of teaching before coming here, and it’s just really cool to dive into harmony,” Carlin said.
Additionally, Carlin said he is excited for the future of the choral and orchestra programs at the high school and is preparing to “pave our path forward” in the coming years.
Carlin gives music program new ideas for future growth
To give students a creative outlet for music, choir director Ryan Carlin is incorporating new ideas into the high school’s current music program. Carlin also taught in Bucks County, Philadelphia and New Jersey prior to coming to the high school this year.
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Katie Shapella, Staff Writer