Milton Hershey School Elementary Division Expand on Piano Skills During YRE

Featuring Kent Pierce, MHS Elementary Division Music Teacher

Milton Hershey School students are exposed to Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) classes, activities, and after-school groups from pre-K through 12th grade. This early introduction allows MHS students the ability to grow and expand on their knowledge before graduation.

Kent Pierce, MHS Elementary Division Music Teacher, created a piano series for the Year-Round Experiences (YRE) program to expand on curriculum that students were excited about during the 2019-20 school year.

“Teaching piano at this age level is important as it incorporates many musical skills—playing music, understanding music theory, and creating music,” Pierce said.

Over the years, the VPA department has relocated pianos from across the MHS campus to the elementary school.  Summer learning, through the school’s YRE program, gives MHS faculty the opportunity to teach extensions of the curriculum in a fun and engaging way.

During this summer piano series, students watch explanatory videos to learn keys, sounds, melodies, and piano features. After the videos, they practice on the pianos in the classroom.

“I hope my students learn to love music and learn at least one instrument,” Pierce said. “The skills they learn at MHS can follow them for the rest of their lives.”

Milton Hershey School is carefully following federal and state guidelines, CDC considerations, and MHS-established health and safety protocols to keep our campus a safe, nurturing, and healthy place. Any group photos of unmasked subjects were taken prior to the face coverings mandate.