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ANASTASIA

MRS. ANASTASIA LEGATOS

MUSIC INSTRUCTOR, Waterford Jr. High School

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Musical Education at Waterford Jr High School

Waterford Junior High School recognizes and embraces the multitude of benefits that musical education brings to students. Ample research has demonstrated how musical education positively affects students' ability to succeed academically, assists in developing community and collaboration skills, and provides for method for creative expression.

Music is a great unifier, transcending age, culture, race, and even language. In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Music is the universal language of mankind." Incidentally, music helps children develop the skills to learn other languages, by stimulating the brain and strengthening memorization.

While practicing and performing together, students have to collaborate with their peers in order to harmonize. This collaboration and teamwork fosters deep friendships as students share in each other's learning journeys, overcome milestones, and form a network of mutual support. As students form this connection with music and their peers, they naturally feel more connected and engaged at school as a whole, and are more likely to succeed in other areas.

Musical education forces students to learn hand-eye coordination, multi-task, and stay focused. Improving ones musical skill does not come easily. Through continual practice over the course of years, students learn that keeping a positive mindset and persevering through times of struggle brings success. This work ethic is a great life-skill to carry over into other disciplines.

Like all the arts, music is an outlet for creativity. Students are invited to explore and create with fewer limits than other courses of study, and for many students, music class quickly becomes a time of stress relief and connection. Even students who struggle academically can succeed in the arts, lifting their self confidence and creating a sense of achievement.

Whether you or your child is serious about mastering an instrument or just wants to explore their interests, we encourage you to learn more about the benefits of musical education at Waterford Junior High School.

Music Studies

At Waterford Junior High School (WJHS), there are two periods of band, beginner and advanced, where students work diligently to perfect their skills on their chosen instruments.

In the spring of the 2021- 22 school year, the Junior High and Senior High bands and choir performed at a joint concert, which was well attended by student's families and the community.

In the spring of 2022-23, the Jr. High performed their own concert for parents and the community.

In the 2023-24 school year, our music program at Waterford Junior High will begin to incorporate stringed instruments (orchestra), including the violin, viola, cello, and bass. They will also start a choir class, which will prepare students to continue perfecting their skills in High School.

2022 Music All-Star Award Recipients

Our musical all-star award recognizes students who have work exceptionally hard over the course of the year, and made great progress in their musical education as a result.

Ava Parrett

"My favorite thing about school is music, my friends, and math. I goal of mine is to get a scholarship in music. My hobbies are playing the trumpet, painting, and soccer."

"Music is life itself."

Louis Armstrong  

   Ava's favorite quote

Yuridia Carino

"My favorite thing about school is band. A goal of mine is to keep my grades up and have a 4.0 GPA. My hobbies are volleyball, music, and hanging out with my friends."

"Hands up, sticks up."

Mrs. Legatos  

   Yuridia's favorite classroom quote

Lydia Willoughby

"My favorite thing about school is music, sports, friends, and math. A goal of mine is to play guitar fluently. My hobbies are sports, music, and art."

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

Desmond Tutu  

   Lydia's favorite quote