WHS TEACHING DYNAMO WINS AWARD
By Marie Eldridge, Staff Writer

Therese Provenzano is like the Energizer rabbit. She teaches nine choral groups at Weston High and Middle schools, directs Weston's adult community chorus, a 25-voice choir based as Boston University, and another one for Boston teachers, and takes them to music festivals, nursing homes, and hospitals.

On June 3, the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education rewarded Provenzano with its 1999 Distinguished Arts Educator in Music Award.

The annual award recognizes educators for superior teaching, successful collaboration with others, professional involvement beyond the classroom and the ability to communicate effectively about and within the arts. Since 1985, it has been presented to 100 dance, music, theater and visual arts teachers across the state.

Even more impressive is the fact that Provenzano's colleagues nominated her for the award.

"It had Therese's name all over it," said drama and dance teacher Laurie Katz. "She's absolutely unbelievable and a tremendous advocate for music programs."

A Weston High graduate, Provenzano came back to the school in 1995 under what Drama Director John Minigan called difficult circumstances. Denise Dunn Taggart, a well-loved teacher for more than 20 years, had died suddenly and students and staff were devastated, he said.

"The fall was a very tough one for this small high school," Minigan said. "Substitute teachers filled in for a month, but students were often unable to stay in their choral classes for a full period. Their grief was too strong. I often saw students run in tears from the room."

In October, Provenzano arrived. “That first day one of Minigan's homeroom students, a senior boy, was worried about his initial class with the new instructor. Minigan admitted he too was skeptical. To his surprise, and delight, the senior left that class with the brightest smile Minigan had seen at Weston High all fall and shouted, "Doc Prov is awesome."

"Therese is a dynamo," Minigan said. "Total engagement in the teaching process and complete attention to her students." Provenzano's school choruses are always on the move, singing at a Needham retirement home, Mass. General Hospital or the Jackson Mann School in Boston. Weston's Community Chorus, which involves teachers, parents and residents, performed at a Regis College festival this year. In Choro Novo, the Boston University-based group' sings throughout the area. The teachers' choir, which also includes parents, works through the Music Education Collaborative and Symphony Hall to give educators skills to bring back to the classroom.

"Therese has contacts everywhere, and is always thinking of ways to get the kids more involved and keep them singing," said Katz.

Recently Provenzano recruited urban Metco students for the high school choral program. To do that she integrated music into the Black History Month assembly, specifically the Black National Congress anthem, N'Kosi Su Kelali.

Interestingly, the song's message is that unity produces strength and with strength and unity one can make changes.

At first the Metco students were hesitant, because many of them had never sung before. Eventually they took on the challenge, practiced after school, and brought some of their more tentative friends with them, Provenzano said.

The chorus members were just as intimidated about singing a "black" anthem, and wondered how the Metco students would react, she said. "Watching students evolve from tentative, nervous, questioning participants to ones with confidence, pride, understanding and dedication was amazing," Provenzano said. "It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in teaching." Provenzano has doctorates in music and education and a master's in piano.

"I don't sing myself," she said, "but I love to work with choirs."

"Music should be part of everyone's life, because it's a common language, a pastime you enjoy can alone or with others, and something you don't have to excel at to do," she said.

When Provenzano and a choral group visited Russia a few years ago, none of them spoke a word of Russian, but their music spoke for them, she said. And when she studied in Italy, even 16-year-old boys were "into" opera, because they grow up with it, she said.

"Music is a wondrous thing," she said. "It's a way to open up and express yourself."

Provenzano, whose former teachers are now her colleagues, and who has successfully filled the gap left by her former teacher, Denise Dunn Taggart, can't think of another job she's rather hold.

"I love what I do," she said.

© 1999, Weston Town Crier & Tab

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