Return of Concert, Music to Roxborough Students' Ears

For Josh Myers, the musical offerings at are a million times better than last year. That's because in 2009, music classes didn't exist at the Ridge Avenue school.

A senior piano player and singer, Myers has tinkled the ivories for nine years with four years of lessons. Since transferring to Roxborough his junior year, Myers and his classmates lacked an outlet for their talents until teacher Ron Coles reinstituted the program this September.

"Things started to happen this year. We're moving in a positive direction and everything is growing," Myers said. "I think music will help the school to succeed and have more kids want to come here."

, with artists, musicians and dancers throughout Roxborough High School, Myers will lead classmates in the first annual winter showcase. Starting at 6 p.m., artists will display work in the Marble Hallway, and at 7 p.m. musical performances and dance numbers will occur in the auditorium.

Though in his first year at Roxborough, music teacher Coles is familiar with reinvigorating programs. In the past, Coles launched offerings at William H. Hunter Elementary and University City High School, secured grants and left them with established curriculums. He arrived at Roxborough through the recruitment of new Principal Stephen Brandt.

"It's a good school in a great area and it has the potential to really succeed," he said.

Coles started with a keyboarding class (which he supplied several instruments and books) and chorus group. As the year has progressed, he said students' talents really emerged, and the showcase was inevitable.

"The talent is here, but there wasn't really a place for them to show it. Their voices are better, more confident, and here's an opportunity for them to share it," he said.

Myers will perform his original song "Waiting For You," in addition to a medley featuring numbers from Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Ne-Yo's song "Take a Bow," popularized by Rihanna.

"I like to write about whatever is on my mind, how I feel. After I determine the tempo, I put in the words," he said.

He asked fellow senior Sabrina Bouknight to sing with him, and that morphed into her getting a solo of Whitney Houston's "Count on Me."

"I'm excited. First, I was really nervous, but kept practicing and practicing and I got more comfortable performing in front of people," she said.

After each song in rehearsal, the class—though small—clapped and vocalized encouraging words to peers. 

Music is just a third of the programming Tuesday. About 20 to 25 of Jimmy Mance's art students will display drawings. In his second year at Roxborough, Mance said the general program will expand next year with AP art classes, and that additions are essential. 

"Art is as an important side to a person as other parts. It has to be nurtured," he said, adding some students have started taking work home to perfect it.

Rachael Ferron is a teacher's aide and will lead eight students in a dance routine. She started the club four months ago, and said students were "nervous but excited" for the show.

"These kids have nothing to do after school—they're bored. With these clubs [and the drama club], it's doing something positive," she said.

Also on Tuesday, the newly established high school choir will weave through several patriotic numbers, and a three-piece teachers' band will also perform. 

Though the show is Dec. 21, Myers put out a holiday disclaimer.

"It's funny, this is happening around Christmas, but we won't be doing Christmas songs. We've just been working to get (on stage)," he said.

All sign point that it won't be the last show, either. Coles has already secured funding and new musical instruments should be arriving shortly.

If you go: The Winter Showcase at Roxborough High School is Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the auditorium at 6498 Ridge Ave.