Do you have a question about WSSD music you'd like to see answered? Contact Lauren at Communications@WSSDMusic.org. If she doesn't know, she'll find out. Lauren will get back to you, and you may see your question answered here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who runs that musical group?

Elementary Schools

NPE: Mrs. Hayley Lombard (orchestra & band), Mrs. Jane Urban (chorus)

WES: Mr. Joseph Greenhalgh (orchestra & band), Ms. Joanne Haley (chorus)

SRS: Ms. Kara Suarez (orchestra & band), Ms. Dawn Mason-Ovalle (chorus)

Bands

Basie Jazz Band (SHMS)

Mr. James McLaughlin

Ellington Jazz Band (SHMS)

Mrs. Allyson Williams / Mr. Richard Michael

6th grade band

Mrs. Allyson Williams / Mr. Richard Michael

7th grade band

Mrs. Allyson Williams / Mr. Richard Michael

8th grade band

Mrs. Allyson Williams / Mr. Richard Michael

Modern Band (SHMS)

Mr. James McLaughlin

Symphonic Band (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

Jazz Band (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

Panther Marching Band (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

Singing Groups

6th grade chorus

Mr. James McLaughlin

7th & 8th grade chorus

Ms. Sarah Elsheakh

Cantabile (SHMS)

Ms. Sarah Elsheakh

Camerata (SHHS)

Mrs. Lindsey Reinhard Silva

Cantata (SHHS)

Mrs. Lindsey Reinhard Silva

Silvertones (SHHS)

Mrs. Lindsey Reinhard Silva

Orchestras

6th grade orchestra

Ms. Jassamine Harris

7th grade orchestra

Ms. Jassamine Harris

8th grade orchestra

Ms. Jassamine Harris

Symphony Orchestra (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

String Orchestra (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

Chamber Orchestra (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

Wind Ensemble (SHHS)

Mr. Nick Pignataro

When can a student start an instrument?

String Instruments (violin, viola, cello, string bass): These instruments may be started in third, fourth, or fifth grade or at any time in middle school or high school!

Band Instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion): These instruments may be started in fourth or fifth grade or at any time in middle school or high school!

Where should I rent an instrument?

For flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, cello, instruments are rented through an outside music vendor. Most of our WSSD families use Music and Arts (located in the Lawrence Park Shopping Center in Broomall). Please let them know that your child attends the WSSD schools as they know what make/model instruments we prefer for our student rental program. Taylors Music Store & Studios in West Chester is also a great place to rent quality instruments (https://www.taylorsmusic.com).

For beginning percussion, you have a choice in what you want to rent: (1) a snare drum kit or (2) a drum pad. For drum sticks - we prefer either the Vic Firth 5A or 7A wood tip or a comparable size from a different brand.

For the string instrument rental for violin, viola, and cello, Music and Arts will measure your child to give them the correct instrument size.

For the larger instruments such as French Horn, Tenor Saxophone, Euphonium, Tuba, Xylophone, String Bass, these are available to rent through the school district at a nominal fee.

Additional accessories that you may want to consider are an instrument cleaning kit as well as a folding music stand for their lesson book or other sheet music. It will help to promote good playing posture whether they are sitting or standing while they play.

What if I can’t afford an instrument?

The WSMA Heart Strings program collects instruments for families for whom renting or buying an instrument is a financial burden. Please contact Music Department Chair John Shankweiler (jshankweiler@wssd.org) to be connected to an instrument. We want every student to be able to play!

Who are the instrumental music teachers at each school?

The instrumental teachers are as follows:

Steve Fischer – Chairperson, Music Department

Nicholas Pignataro – SHHS

Allyson Williams / Mr. Richard Michael - SHMS

Jassamine Harris - SHMS

Hayley Daub – NPE

Joseph Greenhalgh – WES

Kara Suarez - SRS

What is the middle school band/orchestra/chorus schedule?

SHMS Bands, Orchestras and Choruses: There is a rotating three-day morning schedule. Rehearsals start promptly at 7:00 am and end 7:45 am. Music rooms are located on the 1st floor of the Copples Lane side of the building. Students may arrive as early at 6:45 am. Monthly schedules are listed online. Ms. Williams/Mr. Michael and Ms. Harris also send an email out each week to remind everyone of the schedule for the week. If you are not receiving this email, please reach out to your student's instructor to be added to the distribution list.

MUSIC DAY 1 – 6th Grade Orchestra / 7th Grade Band / 8th Grade Chorus

MUSIC DAY 2 – 6th Grade Band / 7th Grade Chorus / 8th Grade Orchestra

MUSIC DAY 3 – 6th Grade Chorus / 7th Grade Orchestra / 8th Grade Band

Meet the music teachers

Steve Fischer

Mr. Fischer is the chair of the WSSD music department.

sfischer@wssd.org

Nick Pignataro

Mr. Pignataro directs the SHHS marching band, concert bands, orchestra and chamber music ensembles.

npignataro@wssd.org

Lindsey Reinhard Silva

Mrs. Silva directs the SHHS choral groups.

lreinhardsilva@wssd.org

Allyson Williams

Mrs. Williams directs the middle school bands.

awilliams@wssd.org

Sarah Elsheakh

Ms. Elsheakh directs the 7th & 8th grade chorus and Cantabile.

selsheakh@wssd.org

James McLaughlin

Mr. McLaughlin directs the middle school Basie Jazz Band, Modern Band and the 6th grade chorus.

jmclaughlin1@wssd.org

Jassamine Harris

Ms. Harris directs the middle school orchestras.

jharris@wssd.org

Hayley Lombard

Mrs. Lombard directs the NPE bands and orchestras.

hlombard@wssd.org

Joe Greenhalgh

Mr. Greenhalgh directs the WES bands and orchestras.

jgreenhalgh@wssd.org

Kara Suarez

Ms. Suarez directs the SRS bands and orchestras.

ksuarez@wssd.org

Joanne Haley

Mrs. Haley directs the WES chorus.

jhaley@wssd.org

Jane Urban

Mrs. Urban directs the NPE chorus.

jurban@wssd.org

Dawn Mason-Ovalle

Ms. Dawn Mason-Ovalle directs the SRS chorus.

Can you tell me more about the Summer Music Program?

When is the 2025 Summer Music Program?

June 16 to July 10, 2025.

When can I sign up for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

Right now!!

How do I sign up for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

All the information and the registration for the 2025 Summer Music Program is on the WSSD website: WSSD Summer Music Program 2025 Registration

Who can participate in the 2025 Summer Music Program?

The Summer Program is open to both WSSD and non-WSSD residents!!

Students entering 3rd grade through 12th grade this fall who are interested in beginning or continuing to play an orchestra instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass)
Students entering 4th grade through 12th grade this fall who are interested in beginning or continuing to play a band instrument (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion)
Students entering 4th grade through 6th grade this fall who are interested in singing in the chorus
Rising 8th-12th grade students and adults of any age are welcome to join the evening concert band
Students interested in playing guitar, bass, drum set or keyboards in the intermediate jazz band

Where can I rent an instrument for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

For the string instrument rental for violin, viola, and cello, Music and Arts will measure your child to give them the correct instrument size.

For the larger instruments such as French Horn, Tenor Saxophone, Euphonium, Tuba, Xylophone, String Bass, these are available to rent through the school district at a nominal fee.

What if I can’t afford an instrument?

The WSMA Heart Strings program collects instruments for families for whom renting or buying an instrument is a financial burden. Please contact Music Department Chair Steve Fischer (sfischer@wssd.org) to be connected to an instrument. We want every student to be able to play!

Where is the 2025 Summer Music Program held?

At Strath Haven High School. Students should be dropped off at the Providence Road entrance.

How much does it cost to participate in the 2025 Summer Music Program?

$300 per rising 3rd through 12th grade student during the day
$270 per additional student family member in same household
No cost for adults/rising 8th-12th grade students in Evening Concert Band.

Scholarships/financial assistance available. Email Mr. Steve Fischer sfischer@wssd.org.

When is the 2025 Summer Music Concert?

The 2023 Summer Music Concert will be on Thursday, July 10th at 6:30pm.

What time are the lessons for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

First, a glossary:

Beginning = starting this summer

Intermediate = 1- 3 years experience

Advanced = 3+ years experience

Enrichment is the bucket drums, ukulele and steel drums.

Strings:

Beginning Strings: TR 8:00-10:20 (Lesson, then Ensemble, then Enrichment)

Intermediate Strings: TR 8:50-11:10 (Enrichment, then Lesson, then Ensemble)

Advanced Strings: TR 10:30-12:50 (Enrichment, then Lesson, then Ensemble)

Beginning Band:

Beginning Woodwinds: MW 8:00-10:20 (Lesson, then Enrichment, then Ensemble)

Beginning Brass: MW 8:50-11:10 (Lesson, then Ensemble, then Enrichment)

Beginning Percussion: MW 9:40-12:00 (Ensemble, then Enrichment, then Lesson)

Intermediate Band:

Intermediate Woodwinds: MW 8:50-11:10 [or 8:50-12:00] (Enrichment, then Ensemble, then Lesson, plus optional Jazz Band)

Intermediate Brass: MW 8:50-11:10 [or 8:50-12:00] (Lesson, then Ensemble, then Enrichment, plus optional Jazz Band)

Intermediate Percussion: MW 9:40-11:10 and 12:10-12:50 [or 9:40-12:50] (Ensemble, then Enrichment, then optional Jazz Band, then Lesson)

High School/Adult Band:

HS Woodwinds: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble and TR 9:40-10:20 Lesson

HS Brass: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble and TR 10:30-11:10 Lesson

HS Percussion: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble and TR 12:10-12:50 Lesson

Adult Band only: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble

HS Music Theory: TR 11:20-12:00 Group

Chorus:

Children's Chorus: MW 10:30-11:10 Ensemble

Can I do both school sports and music?

Yes! The high school and middle school athletics and music practice schedules are deliberately set up to allow you to participate fully in both sports and music. Both are important to a happy life.