JHS Music Department keeps the beat going

Johnston Sun Rise ·

For Johnston High School’s award-winning Music Department, the beat keeps getting louder and louder.

It may be summer recess, but Director Ronald Lamoureux never stops thinking music or about his students and ways to improve upon the ever-growing program that has become a model for other public schools in Rhode Island.

Lamoureux recently held a brief but highly important meeting with Deborah Fellela, a Johnston State Representative, who is well-known for requesting and receiving important Rhode Island Legislative Grants.

Fellela came prepared to Cherry Hill with a check for $500 that Lamoureux said the JHS Music Department would use to purchase world percussion instruments such as djembe drums.

“These djembe drums will be used in our drumming classes and our World Music class,” Lamoureux explained. “We are happy to be building our already robust department. Thanks to support from the mayor’s office, our state representatives, Dr. DiLullo and the rest of the school administration, we are creating opportunities for the entire school population to experience music in exciting and rewarding settings.”

One example was the end of school year Collage Concert during which the JHS music students showcased their talents in a variety of ways and with various instruments and their voices.

“With the 50th anniversary of our school coming up, we are going to do our best to have some very entertaining music planned, especially for the Homecoming activities in October,” Lamoureux explained. “We will be busy from the beginning of school in September.”

The well-dressed JHS marching Panther band, which has been adjudged as one of the best uniformed and best-sounding units in the state, will be marching it the Easter States Exposition (The Big E) opening parade on Sept. 15. “This is over a decade for us and we take a great deal or pride in bring our unit together in just a couple of weeks for a crowd of thousands.”

The JHS marching Panther band will also make its annual appearance in the annual Apple Fest that’s presented by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce in late September.

“Our ensembles continue to grow,” Lamoureux said. “These students are the busiest in the school, with a demanding performance and rehearsal scheduled and class work.”

Moreover, the popular and hard-working skilled director said, “We will also continue to do our best to be ready to serve the needs of the community for special events.”