Students singing pretty in closet-turned-studio
By Paula Brewer
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A former supply closet at Presque Isle High School is reverberating with the sound of music this year — and its new inhabitants couldn’t be happier.
Staff Photo/Paula Brewer
MAKING MUSIC — Presque Isle High School chorus students crowd around the piano in their newly refurbished practice room. Joining in a chord are, from left, front row, Sawyer O’Donnell, Aaron Swanson, Abby Shaw and Skyler McAtee. Back row, Vivian Ballerstein, Lillian Ballerstein, Belle Thibault, Cody Tucker and Miranda Bragan.
Though the floor is a bit paint-splattered temporarily, PIHS choral students don’t care. They’re happy to be rehearsing in their very own space.
“I love it,” said chorus instructor Jerry Levasseur. “I love what the kids love, and they have a little bit of pride in the space because it was made for them.”
Previously, Levasseur explained, the chorus practiced in the school’s auditorium, though the sound quality there was not ideal. In addition, he said, since the move of chorus to period seven, there were potential conflicts for the space due to after-school activities also requiring the auditorium. As a result, choral practice kept moving from room to room.
So, Levasseur wondered if it might be possible to find a bit of space somewhere in the school that could be repurposed to be the chorus’ permanent home. He asked Principal Ben Greenlaw and SAD 1 Superintendent Brian Carpenter about it.
“They said yes, and made it happen,” he said.
Downstairs near the band room there was an unused paper storage closet, with a ceiling that went up about 30 feet, Levasseur said. Staff, led by head custodian Bob Gagnon, cleaned out the closet, painted the walls and installed a dropped ceiling and lighting. A few musical posters, a piano and chairs — and the chorus room came to life.
The only thing remaining is the floor, which will be completed during harvest break.
The school has 51 chorus students this year, and Levasseur said they seem to enjoy the new space. The acoustics allow them to hear one another better while singing, and having their own room has been very positive.
“Music is such a cool thing,” he added, “and these kids really seem to want to make music.”
