Lowell Mason Award recipient Patrick Kennedy explains music theory to freshman Nathan Emmonds after class. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Patrick Kennedy, Westfield Public Schools’ secondary level lead music teacher, learned this week that he is being honored with the Lowell Mason Award from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA).
The prestigious award is presented annually to recognize members of MMEA who have been leaders in music education in Massachusetts.
The award is named after 18th century musician and educator Lowell Mason, who became the first music teacher in a public school in America, and is known as the father of American music education. Mason is also known for the hymns that he wrote, including “Joy to the World,” “Nearer my God to Thee,” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”
“I was speechless,” Kennedy said after he heard the news. “I never thought I would get it. The people I’ve seen get it over the years are people I’ve always admired.”
One of those people was fellow Lowell Mason Award recipient Douglas Ward, Kennedy’s first band teacher and primary influence at Highland Elementary School, where he began his trumpet studies. Kennedy, a lifelong Westfield resident, said Ward was the father of the Westfield music program, “who really brought us into prominence in western Mass.”
After graduating from Westfield High School, Kennedy earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Westfield State College in 1984, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs in 1997.
In Kennedy’s first assignment as an educator at the Gateway Regional Middle School, which he started in 1989, he grew the program from a 50 member band to over 250 students in two concert bands and two jazz ensembles – the top ensemble consistently earning gold medals at IAJE (International Association for Jazz Educators) festivals.
That’s also when he became involved in the MMEA.
“I was looking into how kids from Gateway could get into districts (competitions). I went to a meeting, and have been involved ever since,” Kennedy said.
He is a past chairperson of the MMEA-Western District, and currently serves as MMEA-WD jazz coordinator. In 2001, he was the All State Jazz Ensemble Manager, and has managed numerous western Mass. MMEA ensembles. In addition, he served for many years as the IAJE western Mass. Chairperson.
In 1997, Kennedy succeeded his high school band director and came back home to Westfield High School, where the WHS band carries on their tradition of excellence under his baton.
Kennedy’s current position as secondary level lead music teacher began in the fall of 2014 and includes oversight of the music program, curriculum development, long range planning and special assignments, including the WPS district literacy team.
Last fall, Kennedy launched a new music program at Westfield Technical Academy in hopes of seeing even more Westfield kids have the same opportunities he had as a student.
“Before, when a kid went to WTA, they hung up their horn and never played anymore,” Kennedy said recently. “If I do my job right and I build the enrollment, you’re going to see two great high school bands in Westfield.”
Another new venture Kennedy is supporting is the plan of WHS chorus director and music teacher Korey Bruno to launch an AP music theory course in the fall, “in hopes that students who want to pursue the theoretical aspects of music will have the opportunity to do so,” Kennedy said.
Currently, Kennedy and Bruno are infusing theory into everything they teach, Kennedy said.
Kennedy will be sharing this year’s Lowell Mason Award with chorus director and music teacher Carol Forward of East Longmeadow High School.
“I’m excited we’re going to be sharing this day,” Kennedy said. “She and I have worked together at the western district level quite a bit over the years.”
“I am super excited about it, too,” Forward. “As a music teacher, you don’t often get recognized. It’s nice to be recognized for your work.”
Forward said for Kennedy, it’s all about the kids.
“Pat works very hard and is very dedicated to his students,” she said. “I’ve gotten to work very closely with him on a district level, and the kids are always number one.”
Kennedy and Forward will be honored with the award at the annual All State Conference on March 11 at Boston Seaport.
