English High School Today
English Student Awarded Full Scholarship to Berklee’s Summer Music Program
“Music is so important for students of all ages. Practicing and performing music ignites all the different parts of our brain and allows us to think more clearly and quickly in other school subjects. There have been countless studies on the effect of music on the brain that illustrate this.”
– English High School Music Teacher David Carkner
An English High student, Manius Omnis, received a full scholarship to the prestigious Summer Music Program at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. The announcement was made by English High Music Teacher David Carkner. “Manny, as we call him, loves creating music and playing multiple instruments. He came to band class in September of 2021 and asked to play the alto saxophone. We later found out that he had a talent for piano, bass, and guitar! He worked hard all year and was able to receive a full scholarship to Berklee’s Aspire: Five-Week Music Program in the Summer of 2022. He will be attending this year as well.”
Carkner is ecstatic: “Where else can high schoolers study with world-renowned faculty at one of the world’s preeminent institutes for contemporary music and performing arts?” The success of the English High Music Program is due in large part to Carkner and Band Director John Ferraro. Carkner says, “Music has been an integral part of my life and I strive to pass on my knowledge and skills to my students. Every student deserves a chance to study music and to excel in it. I decided a long time ago that I needed to be a music educator. This is what I’m meant to do.”
While students are attracted to English High thanks to its strong educational curriculum, long-tenured faculty, and innovative Career Pathways program, many are drawn to the highly-rated music program. Incoming students can choose from two levels in each of the following:
- Music Production – Students learn to mix and edit music, learning to be music producers for movies, video games, radio, podcasts, and TV; also how to be a DJ and mix live music.
- Drum Line – Students learn how to play and read music for percussion ensemble and how to march. They were a highlight of EHS’s 200th Anniversary Gala in Boston.
- Band – Students learn how to play and read music for Pep Band at football games, Marching Band for parades, and the wind ensemble that performs at Winter and Spring Showcases.
“Music is so important for students of all ages,” he says. “Practicing and performing music ignites all the different parts of our brain and allows us to think more clearly and quickly in other school subjects. There have been countless studies on the effect of music on the brain that illustrate this.
“Students see the band room as a safe haven from other challenges of their day. A student might struggle in math or history but when they get to band or drumline class, they excel on their instrument. This builds their confidence and gives them a strong reason to get to school every day. Music is also important and essential in so many areas of our lives. Some students might only play an instrument in school and stop once they graduate while others continue on to make a career of music. In all cultures music plays a huge role. Major events, ceremonies, parties, TV, radio, movies, video games, podcasts, etc. All have music. Music is life!”
In the past decade, EHS music students have been involved in many great performances including at Symphony Hall for the Mayor’s State of the City Address, at Boston University hockey games, various BPS school events, Boston Juneteenth ceremonies, and at the Berklee Performance Center. EHS boasts the only marching band among Boston high schools.
