Andrew Bennett was proud to continue his annual tradition as Fredonia Music Department Instructional Leader of presenting the highlights of the department to the Board of Education. Nearly an hour of presentations, discussion and public comments preceding Bennett’s annual report could not tame his excitement.

In fact, after his introduction, the first thing Bennett said to the Board of Education was, “I’m so excited to talk to you about our wonderful music program.”

Far too often in the current climate, the negative aspects of school districts like Fredonia are amplified. The debate over the past year in Fredonia centered around whether voters would support upgrades to the music department or athletics at a substantial cost, followed by the rising costs to balance a budget and increases to salaries and benefits. The numbers thrown around regarding the district were tax impacts and declining enrollment, and the increased needs of students now more than ever before.

Fittingly, Bennett took his turn in the spotlight after comments like that were raised again. But instead, his comments centered on the good that the Fredonia music program does.

Andrew Bennett, Fredonia Music Department Instructional Leader, presented an annual report to the Board of Education at a recent meeting.

Yes, Fredonia’s enrollment has declined by more than 500 students over the past quarter-century. For the music department, however, enrollment has never been better.

Just as it was a year ago, Fredonia’s enrollment in music programs surpasses 80% of the students of the district. Of the 1,424 students of the district, 1,160 are enrolled in music courses. Furthermore, 916 students in grades 2-12 (74%) participate in performing ensembles. From fourth grade on, 519 students participate in extracurricular music activities. Each of those figures have grown since Bennett’s annual report a year ago.

“We’ve never had that high a level of extracurricular music participation,” Bennett said.

Another way the program continues to grow is through its online reach, as Fredonia concerts were streamed online more than 4,700 times this past year, up more than 2,600 streams since the previous year.

“We are very glad that we can offer this as a way for members of our community to participate in our students’ achievements, whether they can make it in our doors or not,” Bennett said.

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Earlier this year, 40 Fredonia Student Musicians performed at the CCMTA Winter Festival in various All-County Ensembles.

But it isn’t just the quantity that stands out, it’s also the quality of the program. Bennett needed to use a smaller font to fit all of the accolades of the program this past year all on the same PowerPoint slide. Atop the impressive list was Fredonia’s achievement of being named a National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Best Community for Music Education for the 12th consecutive year.

Just as it did a year prior, Fredonia had more than 200 students perform solos this past year, whether at the county level through the Chautauqua County Music Teachers Association or the state level through the New York State School Music Association. Additionally, 187 places in state and county honor ensembles were filled by Fredonia students. Grant Abbey was an All-State musician and Gilen Gottinger was an alternate.

Bennett highlighted that statewide, approximately 400 students typically receive a 100 grade on their solo performance, but still might not be selected for the All-State honor.

“It is an incredibly competitive process, where essentially you have to be in the top 100 in the room,” Bennett said. “There are tens of thousands of students trying to get these spots. We are so proud of Grant and Gilen for their honors.”

Six Fredonia ensembles performed at the NYSSMA Majors in 2024, and each ensemble earned either a Gold or Silver award. Fredonia also received a Bronze Award for Outstanding Musical Production at Shea’s Musical Theatre Awards, along with $1,500 in grant funds. Bennett highlighted that many of the other schools in the running had much larger class sizes than Fredonia.

The Fourth Grade Select Chorus took first place at the Darien Lake MusicFest for the second time in as many years. Fifth and sixth grade orchestra students also participated in the All-County Spring Festival at the Chautauqua Institute for the first time.

The Fredonia music department also holds regular performances at the Next Chapter Bookstore in Fredonia; the Symphonic Band performed at the Village of Fredonia’s Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event; the Hillbilly Harmonics fourth graders performed at venues throughout western New York; and high school students performed at Fredonia Place for its residents. Fredonia also partnered with PUNT, a foundation serving families in western New York facing pediatric cancer diagnoses.

Fredonia also offers a rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) music course for students to receive up to nine college credits. Bennett boasted that 90% of Fredonia students who took the AP exam received college credit, which is 28% higher than the state average and 30% higher than the national average. With his experience working at SUNY Fredonia, Board of Education member Aaron Marshall commended the program’s AP test results.

“The stat about AP music, that’s insane. That’s a great thing,” Marshall said.

Marshall highlighted the correlation between music enrollment and higher scores in other subjects. Marshall said to Bennett, “Thanks to you and to all the music staff for all the hard work you do.”

Arguably the most impressive part of the program, however, is its impact on its own students. The district’s string, chorus, and band “buddies” programs allow Fredonia High School students to serve as mentors for the younger students in the district. Roughly 50 students participated in the program this past year.

“We believe that in addition to being good musicians, we want our students to be good people,” Bennett said.

While the buddy program proves that age is not a barrier for students to participate in music, the district’s school instrument usage program has ensured that cost will also not be a barrier. Now in its ninth year, the program is available for students who receive free or reduced lunch and wish to play an instrument. When the program began, 20 students benefited from its impact. Each year, enrollment has steadily increased, far surpassing 100 students a year ago with 127 students enrolled. For the 2024-2025 school year, a record high 165 students had access to an instrument they might not have been able to play without the program.

“I talk to these families all the time. … They thought this would be an opportunity they would never be able to provide for their children, and because of your investments, they are,” Bennett said to the Board of Education. “… It’s wonderful that we’re able to do that.”

Former Board of Education President Brian Aldrich said a year ago during Bennett’s presentation that he believed the program is so successful, it cannot possibly improve. While Aldrich was not in attendance for the latest update, he would likely admit that in this case, it’s clear that he was wrong.

“This goes without saying, but it’s worth repeating: we are very proud of our students and grateful to our district and community,” Bennett said. “Fredonia is a special place, and I’m so happy to live here.”