THE ARTS
North Haven’s longtime love of music was bolstered by the hire of the first school music supervisor in 1920. The following year the school obtained an organ which, according to Principal Maynard C. Waltz, “has done much to improve the social life of the school.” In the 1922 Town Report, music supervisor Albert T. Adams advocated for a full time music teacher at the school:
Music being one of the seven liberal arts and sciences deserves only trained instruction and therefore I consider it necessary that someone holding a degree in the Pedagogy of Music be secured for this important work.
Music classes continued until 1932 when the school music supervisor resigned and it was decided to discontinue the program for a time (all teachers also received a 10% cut in salary due to the economic conditions of the Great Depression). Music classes returned again in 1945 and by the 1950s music instructor Ira “Cuddy” Curtis started a school band that performed in town parades and ceremonies.
Music being one of the seven liberal arts and sciences deserves only trained instruction and therefore I consider it necessary that someone holding a degree in the Pedagogy of Music be secured for this important work.
Music classes continued until 1932 when the school music supervisor resigned and it was decided to discontinue the program for a time (all teachers also received a 10% cut in salary due to the economic conditions of the Great Depression). Music classes returned again in 1945 and by the 1950s music instructor Ira “Cuddy” Curtis started a school band that performed in town parades and ceremonies.
The first mention of a school art class came in 1970, held once a week and after school. The school yearbook, The Pilot, noted:
This is the first year a teacher has been available to instruct an art course. Altogether there were eleven students that met after school, once a week for two hours duration. We feel that time is worth the gaining of knowledge and skills in art. We would like to thank Mrs. Barbara Goodyear for her fine work and the town for allowing this school to have such a valuable course that benefits each one involved.
By the early 1970s, school yearbooks show both a music teacher and an art teacher were employed to teach classes for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. In the early 1990s, when it became impossible to include arts instruction in the school budget, North Haven school principal Barney Hallowell, along with community leader and state senator, Chellie Pingree, founded North Haven Arts and Enrichment in order to provide arts programs for island students. The non-profit organization supported visiting artists and cultural experiences at the school as well as hiring teachers in photography, music, and drama.
This is the first year a teacher has been available to instruct an art course. Altogether there were eleven students that met after school, once a week for two hours duration. We feel that time is worth the gaining of knowledge and skills in art. We would like to thank Mrs. Barbara Goodyear for her fine work and the town for allowing this school to have such a valuable course that benefits each one involved.
By the early 1970s, school yearbooks show both a music teacher and an art teacher were employed to teach classes for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. In the early 1990s, when it became impossible to include arts instruction in the school budget, North Haven school principal Barney Hallowell, along with community leader and state senator, Chellie Pingree, founded North Haven Arts and Enrichment in order to provide arts programs for island students. The non-profit organization supported visiting artists and cultural experiences at the school as well as hiring teachers in photography, music, and drama.
A school theater program on North Haven evolved from traditional “speaking programs” and contests during the late 1800s and early 1900s to student and community plays at Calderwood Hall and later at the Community Building. With the hiring of influential director John Wulp in 1995 and then building a theater space at Waterman’s Community Center in 2004, performing arts became a regular and valued integral part of education and community life on the island.
As observed by principal and North Haven Arts & Enrichment founder, Barney Hallowell, many islanders seem to come by acting naturally and “their response to the closeness and challenges of living on an island most often surfaces as storytelling and mimicry.” Putting on plays inspired students and brought together generations of islanders during the long winters. Over the years, performances gained wide recognition as North Haven won awards at state play competitions, brought the musical Islands to Broadway, and collaborated with professional artists from around the world.
The North Haven drama program is educational and helps us grow in our lives. Even though drama is challenging and nerve-wracking, it helps us and definitely should be supported.
Jacob Greenlaw, 9th grader, North Haven Community School yearbook, The Pilot 1999
As observed by principal and North Haven Arts & Enrichment founder, Barney Hallowell, many islanders seem to come by acting naturally and “their response to the closeness and challenges of living on an island most often surfaces as storytelling and mimicry.” Putting on plays inspired students and brought together generations of islanders during the long winters. Over the years, performances gained wide recognition as North Haven won awards at state play competitions, brought the musical Islands to Broadway, and collaborated with professional artists from around the world.
The North Haven drama program is educational and helps us grow in our lives. Even though drama is challenging and nerve-wracking, it helps us and definitely should be supported.
Jacob Greenlaw, 9th grader, North Haven Community School yearbook, The Pilot 1999