Meet Mrs. McDowell
Dear Music Families,
Welcome to Rutland Middle School! I am excited for another great year of music making!
Let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Summerland, B.C. I attended postsecondary school at the University of Victoria where I graduated with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education. I also recently completed a Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction with a Focus in Music Education (a mouthful, I know!) through the University of Acadia in Nova Scotia. I started teaching music at Rutland Middle School in 2018, and have seen the program grow each year since. My main instrument is trombone but I dabble with them all, and of course I love to sing! I have taught music to students from grades K-12 and look forward to working with you all this year!
My hobbies include reading, watching movies, cooking and playing board games with friends and family. I play trombone in the Kelowna City Concert Band and had the opportunity to play with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra in a special collaboration project for their 60th diamond anniversary concert series in February 2020. I serve on the board of the BC Music Educators Association, which is the provincial specialist association for music teachers in BC. Our work includes advocating for music programs in the province as well as providing resources and professional development for music teachers. This is a big passion of mine, and I am so proud of the work our board does!
To all music students, I have planned a variety of exciting opportunities for you to enjoy this year. I hope you have a rewarding year and I will also be looking to all the returning students to be great role models for our new music students.
To parents, I will keep you updated on the program throughout the year via email, newsletters and the occasional phone call. Please feel free to contact me at any point throughout the year with any questions or concerns you may have. Our approach to music making has changed since the global pandemic and we will continue to follow all guidelines put forth from our local and provincial health authority. My priority will always be keeping your children safe while they start and continue their musical journey.
One last thing…. HAVE FUN!!! Being a musician can be hard work but it can be very rewarding and is always fun. Remember to bring a good sense of humor and a smile to each class. I am looking forward to the year and excited to start our work together!
Musically yours,
Carmen McDowell
Music Director
Rutland Middle School
Welcome to Rutland Middle School! I am excited for another great year of music making!
Let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Summerland, B.C. I attended postsecondary school at the University of Victoria where I graduated with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education. I also recently completed a Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction with a Focus in Music Education (a mouthful, I know!) through the University of Acadia in Nova Scotia. I started teaching music at Rutland Middle School in 2018, and have seen the program grow each year since. My main instrument is trombone but I dabble with them all, and of course I love to sing! I have taught music to students from grades K-12 and look forward to working with you all this year!
My hobbies include reading, watching movies, cooking and playing board games with friends and family. I play trombone in the Kelowna City Concert Band and had the opportunity to play with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra in a special collaboration project for their 60th diamond anniversary concert series in February 2020. I serve on the board of the BC Music Educators Association, which is the provincial specialist association for music teachers in BC. Our work includes advocating for music programs in the province as well as providing resources and professional development for music teachers. This is a big passion of mine, and I am so proud of the work our board does!
To all music students, I have planned a variety of exciting opportunities for you to enjoy this year. I hope you have a rewarding year and I will also be looking to all the returning students to be great role models for our new music students.
To parents, I will keep you updated on the program throughout the year via email, newsletters and the occasional phone call. Please feel free to contact me at any point throughout the year with any questions or concerns you may have. Our approach to music making has changed since the global pandemic and we will continue to follow all guidelines put forth from our local and provincial health authority. My priority will always be keeping your children safe while they start and continue their musical journey.
One last thing…. HAVE FUN!!! Being a musician can be hard work but it can be very rewarding and is always fun. Remember to bring a good sense of humor and a smile to each class. I am looking forward to the year and excited to start our work together!
Musically yours,
Carmen McDowell
Music Director
Rutland Middle School
My Philosophy
I believe that music education should be accessible, equitable, and integral to all students' education. Music education provides students with opportunities to be creative and connect with others in a meaningful way. Music education is vital to developing a well rounded, social emotional student and can play a pivotal role in teaching them how to be a contributing community member. Active music making teaches students how to appreciate beauty and shows them they are capable of creating beautiful things. The aesthetic nature of music making and of collaborating with others is ingrained in all cultures and this rich history should be mirrored in today's school society.
The health benefits of actively engaging in frequent music making are also vast. Current research has shown that actively making music can enhance cognitive development and increase executive brain functions, refine fine motor skills, support social development and serve as an intervention for at risk students. Studies of active music making programs in low socio economic communities are showing a levelling of literacy skills after only two years of participation when those who did not participate demonstrate a decline in those same skills, and after more than two years, an increase in ability. Active, frequent music making has the potential to be used as an intervention and a way to level the gap between the different classes within our society. New research shows that actively engaging in music making over multiple years during your youth can have a preventative effect against age related disease later on in life. Music is for everyone, not just the elite, and should be programmed in an accessible way for all who choose to benefit from it, can.
I believe that music education should be accessible, equitable, and integral to all students' education. Music education provides students with opportunities to be creative and connect with others in a meaningful way. Music education is vital to developing a well rounded, social emotional student and can play a pivotal role in teaching them how to be a contributing community member. Active music making teaches students how to appreciate beauty and shows them they are capable of creating beautiful things. The aesthetic nature of music making and of collaborating with others is ingrained in all cultures and this rich history should be mirrored in today's school society.
The health benefits of actively engaging in frequent music making are also vast. Current research has shown that actively making music can enhance cognitive development and increase executive brain functions, refine fine motor skills, support social development and serve as an intervention for at risk students. Studies of active music making programs in low socio economic communities are showing a levelling of literacy skills after only two years of participation when those who did not participate demonstrate a decline in those same skills, and after more than two years, an increase in ability. Active, frequent music making has the potential to be used as an intervention and a way to level the gap between the different classes within our society. New research shows that actively engaging in music making over multiple years during your youth can have a preventative effect against age related disease later on in life. Music is for everyone, not just the elite, and should be programmed in an accessible way for all who choose to benefit from it, can.
