Music PLUS introduces students to a diverse offering of musical activities using team building and leadership opportunities that represent the same fundamental values and educational principals applied in Sports PLUS and Project Adventure. We focus on music as a whole, introducing a variety of genres such as jazz, blues, rock, swing, etc., as well as instrumentation, vocalization, songwriting, recording, technology, and media.

Using music as the medium, younger children are able to play and enjoy games that develop personal, social, and creative skills. Whether the underlying focus is on listening, self-expression, concentration, trust, or just getting to know one another, music is the common thread, the universal language that ties it all together. Again, using music as the medium, older children have the opportunity to be leaders and role models while developing their skills and guiding the younger ones through these activities.

Music PLUS encompasses all aspects of playing music: learning how to form a band, and learning how to work together as a band. For some, the excitement is in having the opportunity to play with others and bring their musical ability to the next level. For some, it is in learning a new instrument. For others, it is in writing a song. And still for others, it may come from a different musical angle - learning about musical equipment and sound engineering (i.e.: learning how to use the leading edge software and technology to record their friend's bands).

Our success has been outstanding in performance. We played at the Hard Rock Cafe last year to raise funds for "Musicians on Call." We play for numerous school events, during lunch times for Middle and Upper schools, also for some special occasions in the Lower School classrooms and quad, and this year we have started having weekly music and movement with the children in the George Cottage. We have also taken it on the road to the Good Sheppard School where students were able to practice their leadership skills and teach music classes that focused on group dynamics and creative interaction. We use games that use music to focus on issues such as trust, listening, and concentration, among other personal, social, and creative skills. For example, an obstacle course where students take turns leading one another through by sound (i.e.: tambourine means walk straight, shaker means turn left, etc). Our students learn the ins and outs of band set up and sound, and all Music PLUS students learn about group dynamics, team efforts, and leadership.

This year we will take it even further using the Total Human Development Approach along with St. Martin’s Core Operating Principals. Music PLUS will be working closely with others in the St. Martin's community to help and shape the Future School Strategic Plan. We are excited about the vision of St. Martin's, the vision of Music PLUS, and excited about learning and using our skills through music to be an instrumental part of the St. Martin's community.

Karyn Szahun
Director of Music PLUS

Co-founder and Director of Music PLUS at St. Martin's Episcopal School, Karyn Szahun has been a professional musician for the past 15 years. Playing trumpet and on vocals, she was a founding, and 10 year member of the band ‘Ecliff and The Swingdogs', based out of Nantucket, MA. Playing guitar, on vocals, and using her original material, she started ‘The Karyn Szahun Band', also originating out of Nantucket, MA. She is currently playing here in New Orleans as part of the duo ‘Nadia and Jocko'. She has toured around the U.S.A., New Zealand, Italy, England, Thailand, and has shared the stage both nationally and internationally with musical artists Jimmy Buffett, Eek-a Mouse, Ras Karbi, NRBQ, Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and many more.