Drury : High School : Bios-Music

Music Department

Mr. Carl Jenkins, NAPS Director of Music, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University in New York. Following his studies in Montclair, New Jersey Mr. Jenkins was a member of the West Point Band from 1970 – 1973. He has studied oboe with Gennaro Mignola, Albert Goltzer of the New York Philharmonic, and Humbert Lucarelli of New York City. Mr. Jenkins’ orchestral experience has been with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, and with the Berkshire Symphony, where he is currently principal oboe. At Williams he is Adjunct Teacher of Oboe. He was the founding conductor of the Symphonic Winds, directing the ensemble for nine years and for 20 years was also the director of Woodwind Ensembles at Williams.

Mr. Jenkins has been employed by the North Adams Public Schools since 1973. For three years he was elementary instructor and since 1976 has been the city’s Director of Music and high school instrumental director. Under his direction the Drury High School Band has had numerous distinctions including: countless performances during trips to Canada, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, and many New England states. During his tenure in North Adams the Drury High School Band has traveled extensively, has developed a yearly instrumental-clinic/workshop, has commissioned a composition and has had the good fortune of receiving donations in excess of $350,000.00 which have made scholarships and enrichment programs available to past and present musicians. Mr. Jenkins has studied conducting with Malcolm Rowell (Univ. of Mass.) and Larry Rachleff (Rice University). While at Drury Mr. Jenkins has been active in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association twice serving as District Jazz Band Manager, twice as District Concert Band Manager and is the 2006-2007 District Orchestra Manager. He served as Western District Jazz Chairman to I.A.J.E. from 1983-1987 and in 1986 Mr. Jenkins was manager of the Massachusetts All-State Concert Band. In 1989 Mr. Jenkins was the recipient of the North Adams Public Schools “Teacher of the Year” Award and in 2002 was presented the Lowell Mason Award for his years of dedication to music education. In 2004 Mr. Jenkins was honored as the recipient of that year’s “Distinguished Service Award” for the state of Massachusetts. Among the many highlights Mr. Jenkins cherishes the opportunity he had to conduct members of the Drury High School Band in Mechanics Hall, Worcester and Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood as part of the M.I.C.C.A. “Stars at the Symphony” Program. Mr. Jenkins and his wife Jane have two sons; Matthew, a music teacher in Las Vegas, and David a saxophonist with the “President’s Own” Marine Band in Washington, D.C. They also have an adorable grandson, Andrew.

Mrs. Aldonna Girouard has taught music in North Adams since 1995. She teaches chorus, guitar class, guitar ensemble, line and folk dance, music theory and general music at Drury High School. From 1995 to 1997 she also taught chorus and general music at Conte Middle School. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Shenandoah Conservatory. She practiced music therapy for five years prior to teaching music for nine years in Lee, MA. She earned a Masters of Science in Music Education at Central Connecticut State University.

Mrs. Girouard is an active member of Music Educators National Conference and Massachusetts Music Educators Association where she has served as manager and assistant manager for the Western District Music Festival Chorus. She has presented music therapy in-service workshops on stress management and IEP writing and presented conference workshops on music education Service-Learning projects.