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Year: 2001 – Province: Saskatchewan
Certificate of Achievement Recipients
Kevin Hrycay
School: Esterhazy High School
555 Arcola Street
Esterhazy, Saskatchewan S0A 0Y0
Principal: Don Espeseth
School Telephone: 306-745-6618
School Fax: 306-745-3590
School Website: www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/~ehs
Grades/Subjects Taught: Grades 6 to 12, band, computer, choir
Teaching Approach:
The power of music should be shared with every child in the school.
Outstanding Achievements:
Revitalized music program at Esterhazy High School.
- After two years, student participation in music program doubled and a second teacher was added.
- In 2000-2001 school year, thanks to Mr. Hrycay's high standards of music excellence and dedication of the students, the music program captured all awards at local music festival and the Senior Concert Band won gold at the National Music Festival (Musicfest). Esterhazy was the only rural Saskatchewan school invited to compete at Musicfest.
- Other honours include three As from the Regina Optimist Festival, and invitations to perform for the Royal Bank Cup hockey tournament and to give the Vice Regal Salute for the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.
Incorporates music technology into the program and classroom. Music theory is reinforced through use of computers: for example, MIDI technology allows students to compose, print and perform their own original pieces.
Integrates students of all abilities into music program and ensembles. Encourages students with variety of moderate to severe learning disabilities to play instruments in the bands; taught a blind student at a former school to play clarinet.
Students perform in numerous concerts in the area, gaining practice in both singing and teamwork and experience in the importance of giving back to the community through volunteering. This community student choir provided a bridge for various denominations to hold an ecumenical Easter service in town.
Rave Reviews:
There is a strong bond between the Esterhazy High School music students and their music director Kevin Hrycay. That, no doubt, is the magic ingredient that has made this music program into an exceptional school program. Editor of local paper
Mr. Hrycay taught us to believe in ourselves as he showed through patience and determination that he believed in us. Student