Merion Elementary School recently hosted Music Fest, a celebratory concert showcasing the talents of the fourth-grade band and orchestra ensembles! This year’s show struck a particularly poignant and novel chord, as—in an inspiring twist—seven Merion staff members dusted off their instruments and joined the young musicians on stage, much to the delight of students and audience members alike. The chance to rehearse and perform alongside their teachers made the experience all the more meaningful for the fourth-grade performers.

The idea began with a conversation between school counselor Candace Brown and music teacher Tressa Joseph. Brown shared that she once played the clarinet and missed the camaraderie of making music with others—a joy she hadn’t felt since her school days. Inspired by that exchange, Joseph sent an open invitation to the Merion staff, asking if anyone might be interested in revisiting their musical roots to help make this year’s concert even more memorable.

The response was enthusiastic! Over the following weeks, a group of dedicated educators committed to early morning rehearsals, tuning their instruments—and their excitement—as they prepared to share the spotlight with their students.

The participating teachers were:

• Ed Davis, PE teacher – trumpet
• Dean DelloBuono, 2nd grade teacher – alto saxophone
• Jenny Atienza, Challenge teacher – flute
• Candace Brown, Guidance Counselor – clarinet
• Margo Seifert, Math Specialist – cello
• Lisa Barber, 2nd grade teacher – violin
• Christina Young, 4th grade teacher – violin

Photo Credit: Rodney Atienza (Parent/Guardian)