Welcome to General Music Gr. Ps - 6,
Mary Bray Instrumental Music and RWK Choruses!
AND Academic Support

My name is Mrs. Egan and I am the general and instrumental music teacher at Mary Bray. At R. W. Kershaw School I teach grades 5 and 6 general music and RWK choruses. I am currently a doctoral student through Boston University's DMA Music Education (Doctor of Musical Arts) program. I have completed all my doctoral coursework as of March 2011 and have passed my theory/analysis and musicology qualifying examinations. Now I begin the dissertation phase. I completed doctoral residency at BU in summer 2012 and loved the city of Boston!

I hold a Master of Music in Music Education from University of Connecticut and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Music, Flute Performance, Summa cum Laude from Rowan University. I have done additional graduate studies at Villanova University/University of the Arts and Lehigh University. I hold 3rd level Advanced Certificate from the Metropolitan Opera Guild Creating Original Opera Program, training at Princeton University, Columbia University and at the Metropolitan Opera, and Level I certificate in Orff.

As a volunteer member of the Wind Symphony of South Jersey, I donate my time concertizing with this group in nursing and retirement facilities, as well as area churches and parks. Giving back to the community is important, especially in bringing music to those who do not or cannot attend performances in a concert hall. I am also music director at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Berlin.

I believe strongly in continuing professional development and attend many workshops and seminars throughout the year. My dedication to continued professional development brings your child a general music class based upon the latest research in music learning. This summer I also attended the NJ Music Educators Association summer conference held at TCNJ and took various classes on topics related to music education.

The general music classroom in Mary Bray and RW Kershaw is filled with lots of fun and exciting musical activities throughout the year. An Orff and Kodaly approach is offered, using materials in World of Music Textbooks as a springboard to learning. I subscribe to the praxial view of music education: We learn music through doing. Our general music classe students are busy singing, moving, playing, creating, dancing, writing, signing, playing instruments, naming, categorizing, comparing and contrasting, critically listening, synthesizing and the list goes on. A wide variety of stringed and barred instruments and percussion are used extensively throughout the students' tenure in the district to enhance concepts.

Grading: Administration modified the grading system for General Music for grades 2 through 8 in 2008. Students in grades 2 through 8 will receive percentage grades, i.e. 0-100. Note that descriptive grades such as Outstanding, Satisfactory, Needs Improvement will no longer appear on Mary Bray report cards for Grades 2-4. Letter grades A-F will no longer appear on RWKershaw report cards. Kindergarten will receive descriptive grades Developing, Satisfactory, Improving  and 1st grades Outstanding,Satisfactory, Needs Improvement. Chorus grading is outlined in the chorus handbook page on this website.

The Mount Ephraim Public Schools will be offering instrumental programs at both Mary Bray and RW Kershaw.  Mrs. Mary Manion is administering the RWK instrumental program. I am administering the Mary Bray instrumental program. Students in grade 4 have the opportunity to participate in group lessons and ensembles. Instruments can be rented through Coles Music Service and details on renting will be sent home. The board of education members can be responsive to the educational needs of the community. If you value choral, instrumental and general music experiences for your child, please make it known. Check the advocacy page on this website to learn of the many advantages a music program brings to your child. I appreciate your support of the arts and attendance at music dept. functions throughout the years.