“He was so full
of life, a good
kid from a
good family.”
A Very Special Music Gift
In January 1999, the Baltic (S.D.) Public School Board accepted a Yamaha Clavinova CLP860 digital piano as a gift to the music department from the Sweeney family in memory of former Baltic sixth grader Matt Sweeney, who was killed in an automobile accident along with his aunt.
“Matt was an excellent pianist,” says Principal Peggy Hancock. “He was so full of life, a good kid from a good family. His mother, Mary, wanted to put the piano where her other children would see it and remember how much music meant to Matt.”
The Clavinova digital piano is used for a variety of musical activities, including special community events held in the school gymnasium, regular music classes, and as an integral part of the school’s music enrichment schedule.
Music teacher Kelley Tschetter plays the Clavinova every day. “We’re working on a mini-musical, Once Upon A Housetop, right now. I chose this musical because it looked exciting, and, aside from the traditional Christmas, it covers the many ways that people celebrate the holidays.” Tschetter uses the Clavinova to rehearse 165 first through sixth graders for the production.
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Teacher Kelley Tschetter's Baltic Elementary 1st Grade Class |
At the elementary school, Tschetter focuses on how the regular curriculum and music fit together, using the Clavinova digital piano in a key role. “Some parents don’t think music is valuable," she admits, “so I’m trying to show them ways of learning with music, like Nifty 50 United States, a song naming all the states. At the high school, we use the Clavinova for rehearsals and performances at the annual Christmas concert with the Junior and Senior High School Choir. And on Fine Arts Night, when about 150 7th to 12th graders get together to perform for the public, the Clavinova is played during solo and trio performances.”
In regular classroom situations, Tschetter says the best thing about the Clavinova is that it’s always on pitch. “With other pianos, you have a problem with them going out of tune,” she says. “And the demos are a lot of fun for the kids. Classic Rock has a good beat to it and we use it often, just for fun.”
At Baltic’s spring 1999 concert, a dedication ceremony was held. As the accompanist played “Angels Among Us” on the Clavinova, the fifth and sixth grade choir sang. A plaque on the digital piano, originally purchased from Westmoore Music in Sioux Falls, commemorates the Sweeney family’s enduring gift of music.