With the opening of a new music wing this year, Howard Drive Elementary School has added some exciting new tools for both teachers and students. Veteran music teacher Avron Smolensky is the man who makes it all run smoothly.

Avron Smolensky

"What I enjoy most about teaching is knowing that students feel good learning something they didn't know before they came to my class," said Smolensky. "It is gratifying to see individuals suddenly understand something that I was able to help them learn."

At Howard Drive Elementary, students take music every week for an hour in the music room, part of the new addition to the school. The room is a music Mecca with an impressive assortment of musical, technological and visual resources. Smolensky uses all of them.

There are keyboards and recorders for the students to play and the room is equipped with a television, VCR, laser disc player, cassette player and even a piano. Music history books are set out on a table, music-related posters are plastered on the walls and students' artwork of musical activities is prominently displayed.

Smolensky includes many elements in teaching and says that singing is a very important part of his class. He stresses the value of listening to music, while placing an emphasis on learning to read music and play musical instruments.

In the new music room, one section is devoted to the keyboard lab. Here, there are a number of keyboards, all containing the same number of keys as regular pianos, and each set up with three chairs. Smolensky says the purpose of the keyboard lab is for mental development, acquiring motor skills and promoting self-esteem, one of the most important goals, he says.

The students learn to play flute-like instruments called recorders. When they learn a new song, Smolensky puts the musical notes on the overhead projector for the class to see, allowing another use of his new multi-faceted room.

In addition to singing, listening to music and playing instruments, Smolensky also teaches the history of music. There are books on the shelves and posters featuring famous musicians of the past.
Beyond the classroom, Smolensky's students give performances throughout the year. There was a big holiday concert in December and a concert for the dedication of the new wing of the school.

The final show of the school year will be for the installation of officers for the school's Parent Teachers Association. Smolensky says he greatly appreciates the support of the PTA.

"There has been an endless number of meetings to raise money for the school," he said.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Smolensky says he always has been interested in music. In 1968 he completed study for his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. He went on to receive his Master's degree from the University of Miami.

Smolensky is in his 20th year of teaching and this is his 12th year at Howard Drive Elementary School. He says he is very pleased to be there.

"I'm happy to be doing what means the most to me," he said, "working at an outstanding school with an outstanding administration, staff, PTA and student body."