Liam Keller, Director of Orchestras at Chatham High School in New Jersey, credits his students’ “dedication, thirst for knowledge and constant chase of that next level of playing” as his driving forces. He’s always finding ways to challenge them to become better musicians. For example, Keller advises a senior and a freshman quartet. “These ensembles allow some of our most ambitious string musicians to focus their skills on a style that often is not approached in the typical classroom setting,” he says. “The communication skills that they learn help bring their school ensembles to a higher level.”

Keller also reaches out to feeder schools, parents and the community on a regular basis to keep them abreast of what’s going on with his program. The annual Instrument Sizing Day is “to ensure that students are set up for success from the beginning, and to offer older students the opportunity to upgrade their instruments and try the next level of instrument,” Keller explains. “This event also gives me time to build connections with current students, reconnect with past students and meet incoming beginners.

Keller started Parent Orchestra Night after hearing from parents who wanted to help their children but didn’t know where to start. “These beginner boot camps teach parents to read music, set up an instrument and even learn beginner skills to help reinforce what we do in class at home,” he says.

He started a similar program for the community called Community Open House. “Local residents can come and explore what makes our program so wonderful,” he says. “People can experience being a musician. No experience is required and it is a low-stress exploration of string instruments to give them an appreciation of what the students do every day.”

In 2023, Keller was approached by the New Jersey Symphony about a partnership for symphony musicians to work with Chatham students. “What began as a once-a-month group lesson has grown to include four coaches who work with all orchestra and band students grades 3-12. This program exposes them to the highest levels of playing and musical education,” Keller exclaims.

Keller is grateful that his district celebrates the arts. “Our students can experience professional musical experiences in an educational setting so that they are fully prepared to thrive in the real world,” he says