Frank W. Ballou High School

Director- Ms. Monica L. Brokenborough

 

     Ms. Monica L Brokenborough is the present Director of Choral Ensembles at Ballou High School. She is a native of Atlanta, GA and is an extremely accomplished musician with over 27 years of musical experience! She holds a Master of Music Education from West Virginia University as well as a Bachelor of Music Performance from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Additionally, she is certified with the District of Columbia, Florida, South Carolina, and Ohio Department of Education in teaching K-12 music. Ms. Brokenborough was a music educator in Madison Fl, and Beaufort, SC prior to Ballou High School. Additionally, she is a previous music educator for Horizon Science Academy located in Dayton, Ohio.

 

    The Division of Music at West Virginia University is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The music education program is fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teaching Education and the West Virginia Department of Education. The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the leading conservatories of performing arts.

 

     Ms. Brokenborough has studied voice with Janis- Rozena Peri, former soprano professor of voice at West Virginia University. She was also a member of the Choral Union during graduate studies. Ms. Brokenborough has taught both concert and show choirs. Additionally, in 2013 her advanced concert choir earned an "Excellent" rating at state festival in Columbia, South Carolina!

 

     Ms. Brokenborough has been a private instructor for over 15 years and has brought her students much success in their musical endeavors. She is the proud owner of Monica’s Music Lessons-specializing in private instruction on all woodwind instruments.  She has performed in solo recitals, competitions, chamber ensembles, bands, choirs, and orchestras in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, and West Virginia. Monica is the recipient of various music scholarships and is the winner of several different clarinet competitions.  She was also a Dean's List recipient as well as a Meritorious Tuition Waiver recipient. Additionally, Ms. Brokenborough has studied privately from members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

 

     Ms. Brokenborough is a Capital Commitment Fellowship Recipient and is also a member of the Ditstrict of Columbia Music Education Association. She is also a member of NAfME: National Association for Music Education. Ms. Brokenborough is also a member of the  NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

 

 

CHORAL MUSIC PHILOSOPHY

 

"If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing." ~Zimbabwe Proverb

 

     For centuries, music education and its intrinsic values have been challenged and undermined with regard to relevance in public school education. However, there have been several pivotal events that uphold the significance of music education. Specifically: (1) Pre-Christian music education was eminent for music assuming a position in the quadrivium (2) during the Middle Ages, music (theory) was considered one of the higher arts, (3) the Renaissance caused the emergence of secular choral music, and (4) throughout the 17th century, music education was strong and took place outside of church. Additionally, my philosophy implies that choral music education (1) is the foundation for public school music programs, (2) promotes health, (3) improves speech, (4) encourages socialization and diversity, (5) assists with self-awareness, and (6) is affordable. Although public schools face standardized test demands, funding issues, and scheduling conflicts, I stress that music education is viable and should not be eliminated.

I PROCLAIM:

• vocal music emphasizes proper vowel and consonant sounds and has a direct correlation with rhetoric

• depriving students of the choral music experience distances them from the predecessor of all music and may result in improper development of the vocal instrument

• students who are constantly immersed in a cooperative, teamwork environment can heighten their social skills and self-awareness

• the school music program can help students meet or exceed The National Standards for Music Education by studying and performing multicultural music

• music education may divert students from their usual ways of thinking and promote creativity and individuality

• all students are provided a free instrument - a voice!