Shovel ready new performance space

High Meadow School bringing music to the people

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Something very exciting is happening at High Meadow School; soon they will be breaking ground for a new community music center. The Jesse Kolber Music Center will be a place where students, young and old, can learn, compose, perform, record and enjoy diverse forms of music.

Open to the surrounding community, the Music Center will offer a comprehensive music therapy program as well as rehearsal space, and much more. The center will also serve as a cultural center with its aim to provide recurring revenue for the school through renting a recording studio, instructional classes, and workshops.

Jesse Kolber, the Music Center’s namesake, is the stepson of Dr. Susan Paynter, acting Head of School at High Meadow. Jesse graduated from the State University of New York at Purchase with a degree in music and production. Music was the foundation of his life as a performer, composer and producer of original music. He understood the healing power of music through its nonverbal form of expression. His experience as a music producer and entrepreneur helped him to develop an international company called LogicPrep that has helped thousands of students through transformative and challenging times in their lives. He took great pride in helping those around him find their passions and grow as individuals.

Tragically, Jesse lost his life to a rare form of cancer in the fall of 2017. To honor his legacy, Dr. Paynter intends to continue his passion for progressive education, music therapy, and community within the new Music Center.

The Music Center building will be two stories tall, and 3128-square feet. It will include three practice rooms, a large rehearsal space, a drum rehearsal space, an ensemble practice room, and a music composition and production room. Movie soundtracks and sound effects will be produced and recorded in the production studio.

Activities will include music related offerings for children and adults. High Meadow school will also be partnering with the music therapy program at SUNY New Paltz.

Music is an integral part of all grades for the students at High Meadow. Starting with Pre-K, General Music engages students with a variety of rhythmic and melodic instruments from around the world. Victor Lissabet is just one of the many music teachers on staff. He teaches ukulele, guitar, and string instruments. Olivier Manchon teaches 1 & 2nd grade guitar, Sarah Perrotta teaches choir. Every student at High Meadow - starting in 1st grade is required to learn violin, ukulele, and guitar. By 5th grade, the students are able to choose between musical instruments, dance and drama. The musical arts become a focal point of community building, collaborative skills, self-discipline, and modes for self-expression.

Up coming on Dec. 2 is the Raise The Roof benefit concert for the Jesse Kolbert Music Center. This will be the first of many benefits needed to fund the construction of the Center. High Meadow School is inviting the community to join in the fun. The event will feature “The Mammals,” “Buffalo Stack,” “The Restless Age,” and The High Meadow Advanced Band, as well as special guests. The event is from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and there will be free childcare provided. For more information go to: www.highmeadowschool.org/roof