Congratulations to Webster Schroeder music teacher Kim Derse, who was recently recognized by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) with its 2024 Outstanding Music Educator Award in the category of Instrumental Music ( Strings).
Derse has been with Webster School Distrtct since 1994, having previously served schools in Connecticut, and West Genesee and Baldwinsville, NY. She has a legacy of positively impacting generations of students, having taught every level of strings in the district, including working at four elementary schools and Spry Middle School before enjoying a long tenure at Webster Schroeder High School.
Outside of school, Derse has shared her love of music with the Webster Methodist Church as its Handbell Choir director for more than 15 years, and has performed with the Women’s Philharmonic Orchestra and numerous pit orchestras for theatrical productions. During her years teaching elementary strings, she also started a Suzuki program for early grades and taught summer lessons.
Each year, RPO opens nominations for outstanding music educators and professional musicians in the Rochester area to honor those who inspire. Derse was nominated for the award by Michael Roller, Webster’s Director of Fine Arts, and Webster Schroeder and Thomas music teacher Laura D’Angelo.
Derse will be honored at an awards ceremony on May 9 and join RPO Conductor Andreas Delfs on stage at the beginning of the Philharmonic’s concert that evening. (The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.; click here for tickets). She and Matthew Sherrill — from Fairport’s Minerva Deland School, who won in the category of Instrumental Music (Band) — will receive further accolades at the RPO Centennial Gala at the Riverside Convention Center on May 18.
This is not the first year, by the way, in which a Webster music teacher has been recognized by the RPO. Most recently, n 2017, Jeanne Coonan (then working at Spry Middle School) won the Instrumental Music Award for K-12 Band, and Al Heary (then working at Dewitt Elementary) won the Classroom Music Specialist Award.
That history is a testament to the quality of the Webster CSD music department, which, BY THE WAY, was once again this year named honored by the NAMM Foundation with the Best Communities for Music Education designation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the 19th time out of the 25-year award’s existence that Webster has received the honor.
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(posted 4/22/2024)
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