Spaulding High Music Department
Faculty Bio
About our Directors:
- Ms. Cheryl Richardson
- Mr. Ron Goodwin
Joanne Houston has been the Director of Music in the Rochester Public Schools throughout the past two decades. She began her tenure at Spaulding High School and Spaulding Junior High School in September of 1984. Joanne attended the Boston Conservatory of Music and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1980 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. She began her teaching career in the Windham Central Supervisory Union in Newfane, Vermont and taught grades K-8 within seven surrounding towns where she developed an elementary and middle school music program.
When Joanne began her career at Spaulding High School in 1984, she taught concert band, marching band, jazz band, and music theory in grades 7-12. In September of 1986 with the restructuring of the music department staff, Joanne began teaching all of the music courses at Spaulding High School as choral and instrumental music director and was interim director of the Spaulding High School Masque and Dagger Drama Club. The music department has grown significantly throughout the past 28 years with 500 students participating in music and dramatic arts each year.
In May 1994, Joanne earned a Master of Education Degree in the field of administration and supervision from the University of New Hampshire in Durham. She is a certified school principal in the State of New Hampshire. Joanne is currently in the process of completing her Education Specialist Degree at the University of New Hampshire and is working towards her Superintendent Certification in the fall of 2012.
As Director of Music, Joanne has been honored with many awards and recognition throughout the state, New England region and on the nation level for excellence in teaching.
Awards and Recognition:
Joanne has proudly represented Spaulding High School and the City of Rochester throughout the past 28 years and has enjoyed being part of the tradition of excellence in music. She feels fortunate to know and work with many generations of outstanding young musicians and wonderful parents and alumni within the music booster group.
When Joanne began her career at Spaulding High School in 1984, she taught concert band, marching band, jazz band, and music theory in grades 7-12. In September of 1986 with the restructuring of the music department staff, Joanne began teaching all of the music courses at Spaulding High School as choral and instrumental music director and was interim director of the Spaulding High School Masque and Dagger Drama Club. The music department has grown significantly throughout the past 28 years with 500 students participating in music and dramatic arts each year.
In May 1994, Joanne earned a Master of Education Degree in the field of administration and supervision from the University of New Hampshire in Durham. She is a certified school principal in the State of New Hampshire. Joanne is currently in the process of completing her Education Specialist Degree at the University of New Hampshire and is working towards her Superintendent Certification in the fall of 2012.
As Director of Music, Joanne has been honored with many awards and recognition throughout the state, New England region and on the nation level for excellence in teaching.
Awards and Recognition:
- 1987 President’s Award at Plymouth State University
- 1988 Host of the New Hampshire Music Festival
- 1992 RFT Teacher of the Year
- 1993 City of Rochester Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Community
- 1994 Student Leadership Clinician at New England Band Director’s Institute
- 1996 American Legion Patriotic Citizen Award
- 1997 City of Rochester recognized for Excellence in the Arts by President’s Committee on the Arts.
- 1999 Outstanding Music Educator Disney American Teacher Award National Nominee.
- 2000 Recognized for Teaching Excellence by the Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Foundation as one of “Christa’s Teacher’s”
- 2000 Rochester Jaycees Teacher of the Year
- 2000 Rochester Business and Professional Women’s Club Woman of Achievement Award.
- 2001 Guest Lecturer MENC Student Chapter at Plymouth State University
- 2002 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Nominee
- 2003 National magazine, School Band and Orchestra, 50 Directors Who Make a Difference Award, chosen as the Band Director for the State of New Hampshire.
- 2005 Spaulding High School Band chosen to perform at George W. Bush’s Inaugural Festivities, January 2005 Washington, D.C. SHS Band one of two band chosen to perform on the Today Show and Good Morning America Show on national television.
- 2007 Rochester Schools Employee of the Month December
- 2007 National Magazine, School Band and Orchestra, 50 Directors Who Make a Difference Award, chosen as the Band Director for the State of New Hampshire recognized a second time for this prestigious award.
- 2009 Recognized for 25 years of service to the Rochester Schools.
- 2011 Recognized for contributions to the Rochester Veteran’s Association.
Joanne has proudly represented Spaulding High School and the City of Rochester throughout the past 28 years and has enjoyed being part of the tradition of excellence in music. She feels fortunate to know and work with many generations of outstanding young musicians and wonderful parents and alumni within the music booster group.
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