Wandell Elementary School in Saddle River unveils new music lab

SADDLE RIVER — If, as Louis Armstrong said, music is life itself, Wandell Elementary School hopes to maximize its appreciation by students with the opening of its Holden Music Lab.

Donated by the Wandell School Education Foundation with support from the Holden Family, the lab is intended to supplement the district’s music program with a “self-directed learning space” students can visit during lunch and recess periods.

“The music lab simply adds another layer to our already strong music offerings,” said Superintendent and Principal Jennifer Macones. “It was designed to enhance and expand opportunities for students, giving them additional hands-on experiences to explore music in new and exciting ways.”

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The lab offers seven stations with drum sets, digital drum pads, a guitar station with small and large instruments and a ukulele, a keyboard station, and a DJ mixing and music production station.

Each station is equipped with headphones to isolate its sounds from the others, and is equipped with an iPad that allows students to access music instruction apps at varying skill levels.

“The vision for the space will continue to grow with additional stations, instruments and learning opportunities,” said Foundation President Elizabeth Kurpis. “We are pleased to support the funding and development of the new Holden Music Lab.”

The lab is supervised by existing staff and is intended as a free-time activity supplementing the district’s foundational instruction in music rhythm, melody, and movement. Students in fourth and fifth grades already receive keyboard instruction.

Instrumental music instruction and band/orchestra participation begin when students transfer to Ramsey schools in sixth grade.

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