You’re walking through the music wing, a long day behind you and only a short drive between you and doom-scrolling the night away. You’re so close to freedom when a sound stops you in your tracks. You instinctively listen closer, trying to figure out what it is. You confusedly listen as a soprano sings her way through solfège, and it’s only as she’s making her way back down to Do that your ears take notice of the muffled trumpet valiantly trying to make its sound heard past the doors of the band room. The realization that these students are truly dedicated passes through your mind, and the first spoken words you hear from them are about their hopeful induction to Tri-M. You might even be asking yourself, “what the heck is Tri-M?”
In the most basic form, Tri-M stands for Modern Music Masters, but it is much more than that. While Tri-M is classified as an honor society and operates similarly to National Honor Society, it differs in its recognition of music students and their dedication to giving back to the music community and programs that have supported them. It is also recognized as the only music honor society for both middle and high school students in the United States, with numbers as high as 84,000 students according to The National Association for Music Education.
One requirement for Tri-M is an involvement in one of the three music ensembles offered at New Hartford: band, orchestra, or choir. Juniors and Seniors who are enrolled in these classes and actively participate will soon be receiving invitations to be inducted into Tri-M.
Mrs. Goodemote is the current advisor for the Tri-M chapter at New Hartford, a chapter that she started up again after she realized it was very active in the 80’s despite being inactive for so long after.
“I wanted our older student musicians to have opportunities to reach out to the community and help foster our music program K-12,” Mrs. Goodemote said.
When she’s looking for possible new members there are certain attributes that stick out to her, and it doesn’t include a student’s musical prowess. Tri-M members spend the majority of the school year volunteering in ways that give back to the community through music, which is why Mrs. Goodemote looks for students that are compassionate and show a “willingness to help.”
Students who want to serve the community, like senior Olivia Sniezek, join Tri-M for more than just the bullet point on their college applications.
“Music has been a giant part of my life, and giving back is such a huge part of what I stand for,” Olivia said.
Tri-M not only gives back to the music community in New Hartford, but it also becomes its own community for music students.
“While the music program provides us with a sense of community alone, Tri-M takes it to the level,” said senior Maddie Drake. “We’re more family than friends. The people who are committed to Tri-M are the ones who actually appreciate music and the programs we offer. They aren’t people who just like it, they’re the ones that have a passion for it.”
The students aren’t the only ones who feel the impact of Tri-M, the music teachers at New Hartford have appreciated the effort on behalf of Tri-M. Ms. Kasky, the band teacher at New Hartford, has expressed her appreciation.
“I have had Tri-M students volunteer to help at our program events, such as the Spartan Spectacular and the Colourburst,” Ms. Kasky said. “Those events are always looking for volunteers, and having students volunteer who already have an understanding of our music programs makes the events run smoother.”
Music events will often need a more delicate hand, and Tri-M offers those in need volunteers who understand the intricacies of concerts and shows. Not only do Tri-M volunteers help with events that are already in motion, but also they work to create events that will better the community. Around the winter holidays students will offer-up their weekend to carol at the Believe Festival or in the main lobby before winter break.
While college isn’t and shouldn’t be the only reason for participating in Tri-M, it’s still on a lot of students’ minds. Many students within Tri-M hope to pursue music in one way or another, and those who are auditioning for college music programs will be able to show they are truly dedicated to music and care about the sense of community that music creates.
Like any honor society, Tri-M has GPA requirements, but unlike many honor societies the highest required GPA is an 85, with a 92 average in your preferred music ensemble. These relaxed requirements go to show that when it comes to Tri-M it is not about the scholar, it is about the modern music master.
