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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Voices in Education: Christopher Guerra
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Silver Spring music teacher urges students to ‘find a dream and ride it’
by Peggy McEwan, Staff Writer
Register for Spring 2012 classes
Christopher Guerra is the choral music director and digital
music teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School for the
Creative and Performing Arts in Silver Spring. He was
interviewed at the school Feb. 15.
Christopher G. Guerra
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Age: 55Job title: Choral and digital music instructor,
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A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, Silver
Call For Details at:
877-724-2932
State Bank of India (California)
Washington DC Branch
[email protected]
www.sbical.com
SpringHometown: Gary, Ind.Education:
Undergraduate degree, Ball State University;
graduate work, University Maryland, Towson, and
George Mason University.Family: Wife, Veronica;
daughter, Sonya, a junior at James Madison
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University, and son, Chris, a freshman at James
Madison.Hobby/Favorite vacation spot: Running;
Orlando, Fla.Lesson to live by: Hard work beats
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How long have you been teaching?
Manna Food Center - Gaithersburg
I have been with Montgomery County for eight years. Before
Executive Assistant
that I was in other school systems and was a church music
director.
How did you come to Loiederman?
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Peggy McEwan/The Gazette Christopher Guerra is choral
director and digital music teacher at A. Mario Loiederman
Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts in
Silver Spring.
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Gazette.Net: Voices in Education: Christopher Guerra
English only, say Frederick County commissioners
They chose me. [The late] Brian Betts, the first principal, hired
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me. I’ve been here since the beginning of Loiederman. It is
unique because it offers all the art forms to all the students.
Why did you choose to teach at the middle school level?
It’s a good transition time for the students in their lives. An opportunity to find direction and explore music as a form of
communication.
Do most of your students come to Loiederman, because it is a performing arts school, with musical talent?
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I work with all skill levels. Students choose Loiederman. We get 75 percent of our students from the local consortium,
they get to choose their school, and the other 25 percent from a countywide lottery. Several of our students come with
prior training and some with extensive training.
You teach digital music. Can you explain that?
It is in the [computer] lab. We teach music software, particularly “Garage Band,” a compositional unit that allows students
to make songs. They learn the song form: introduction, verse, chorus, bridge and outtro — the last part of the song.
We also use Sibelius, a notational software that allows students to enter notes so they can learn to put a score together.
It teaches them about music by creating it.
The computer software allows students to learn a bit quicker and with more resources, keeping the engagement level
high.
This sounds very advanced, do the students like it?
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The digital music is designed for students who are beginners. Digital music is the place to be at Loiederman. Everybody
wants to be in the Mac Lab, it’s extraordinary.
I know your Chamber Choir has been selected to perform in Dallas at the American Choral Directors Association
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National Middle School Choral Conference. Can you tell me about the group and their performance?
1. Raises in line for Montgomery teachers?
The Chamber Choir is an advanced, audition ensemble. The students are seventh and eighth-graders. They are our
flagship ensemble.
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We were chosen after sending a CD of two years of our performances. Only three mixed choirs were chosen for the
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national conference.
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What do you do to bring out the best in your students?
Give them a vision, something to shoot for. Never settle for good when you can do something great.
What do you think is the benefit of music to students?
It allows them to understand themselves and their peers better by learning to communicate.
It allows them to ”walk in the moccasins” of another person by learning about the song itself, who wrote it and why they
wrote it and what they are trying to say.
They learn about another country by singing its songs and other languages, particularly Latin, and it increases their
vocabulary.
Do you worry that budgets will cut music from the schools?
It is a benefit that music is a staple of our program. However, we do have to fight for courses and funding for the school.
We offer eight classes as opposed to seven in most middle schools, so we have to have the teachers for eight classes.
http://www.gazette.net/article/20120222/NEWS/702229545&template=gazette[2/23/2012 7:45:42 AM]
Gazette.Net: Voices in Education: Christopher Guerra
It’s an annual ritual to go before the board and [lobby for our funding].
What is your goal for your students?
I would like to see our students come out of Loiederman with a greater appreciation for their community and for other
cultures and I would like them to be singers.
Can everyone be a singer?
All music is a skill that can be developed. All kids can sing. I think they find that hopeful. Skill can be developed and be
increased.
What music do you listen to when you are alone or in the car?
It changes from month to month. Right now I’m listening to a lot of children’s choruses. Next month I might be listening to
Green Day or Maroon 5.
Do you have a classical background?
No, I had a pop background. I was in a group when I was in high school we won first place in the Chicago Youthland
Festival in 1974.
I was full-time employed while I was in high school playing four times a week. I got home about 2 a.m., slept a few hours
then went to school.
I used to complain that I was tired but I liked it. I liked music.
How did you decide which direction to take your music?
I joined the Air Force and performed as a singer with the 577th Air Force Band. Then I finished my degree and when I
was in college my voice teacher said, “You should be a choral director.”
Do you have any advice for your students?
Whatever you want to do, work hard and smart at it and you will succeed. Talent will only get you so far. It will open a
door but you have to produce. That is where work comes in.
I’m not the most talented choral director but we are going to a national conference.
Find a dream and ride it.
“Voices in Education” is a twice-monthly feature that highlights the men and women who are involved with the education
of Montgomery County’s children. To suggest someone you would like to see featured, email Peggy McEwan at
[email protected].
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