Longy Side-by-Side

Longy Side-by-Side Program

Music instruction is at its best when it centers the student’s voice, thereby increasing student leadership and a sense of ownership of their education. Side-by-Side does this by placing young people alongside established musicians in a collaborative learning environment where they are viewed as equal contributors. They get to be teachers and students, speakers and listeners, at the same time.

Honoring process over product, Longy’s Side-by-Side Program follows an apprenticeship model centered on access, inclusion, and equity; throughout the year, students might lead a piece, run a rehearsal, or compose music for a performance. Along the way, they are empowered to view themselves as equals in music-making without the stress of being “good” enough. Open to all music students (grades K-12) of any skill level, this program invites participants to play alongside Longy conservatory students and guest musicians. Learning side-by-side—with each other and from each other.

Side-by-Side students are invited to:

Come as they are. Even in group settings, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether playing in the Beginner or Intermediate/Advanced group, each student is challenged by facilitators who understand their unique abilities.
Join a supportive community. In sharing the stage with the professionals, students build lifelong memories in music. More than that, though, they get a chance to connect with their peers across the state, joining an artistic community that welcomes all.
Share input, share experience. Our Artistic Directors and faculty invite Side-by-Side participants to actively influence the program – from how they learn, to which pieces they play, to expressing how they feel. Side-by-Side participants have agency. How they learn, which pieces they play, and what they feel—our Artistic Directors and renowned faculty invite them to share it all.
Collaborate with other members of the community. All students also work alongside community partners, such as the Perkins School for the Blind, so that K-12 students and graduate students see themselves as part of a larger world of music-making and community enrichment.

Side-by-Side Ensemble

Symphony Orchestra is the Longy Side-By-Side program’s premiere ensemble. This group performs full orchestral pieces (grade 4 music level and up). Students in this group have usually played at least 4 years. Entrance into this ensemble is by invitation of the music directors and may require a placement audition.

Current Participant Absence Form

New Enrolling Musicians

All new musicians will be required to submit a placement video with their online registration. Please consult with your site director if you need assistance. The video should be uploaded to google drive, dropbox, a private YouTube channel, or other method that enables the student to share their video via private URL, or uploaded directly. The total length should not exceed 5 minutes. Please upload a single video including the following:

The student should state their name and announce each selection before playing
A scale representative of the student’s skill (multiple octaves preferred)
A solo piece or excerpt that is representative of the student’s current skill. (an exercise, section of an ensemble piece, or other solo are all acceptable)

Campus Safety and COVID-19

Vaccination Requirement
For the health and safety of the Longy community, all eligible faculty, staff, and students are required to show proof of vaccination to complete their Side-by-Side registration.

Masking Policy
The current Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus can be spread by fully vaccinated people. The CDC advises fully vaccinated people wear a mask indoors if they live or work in an area of substantial or high transmission. Longy will require masks on campus as long the community rate of transmission is substantial or high. If community transmission rates are moderate or low, wearing masks indoors will be optional for fully vaccinated people. The CDC updates the transmission rate regularly. For your convenience, Longy will post the current rate of transmission and masking requirements at every entrance on Monday morning and send an email to the community.

CDC information on community transmission rates
Additional information on Longy’s COVID-19 response
If you qualify for a medical or religious exemption, in accordance with Massachusetts guidelines, contact Gaby Alvarado ([email protected]).

23/24 Side-by-Side Program Times

Current Participant Absence Form

10/14 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

10/21 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

10/28 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

11/4 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

11/18 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

12/2 Concert – 1 pm at Pickman Hall (Students arrive at 11:45 am)

1/13 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

1/20 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

1/27 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

2/3 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

3/2 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

3/9 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

3/16 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

3/23 Rehearsal- 9 am – 12 pm (Student pickup at 12 pm)

4/6 Concert – 1 pm at First Church (Students arrive at 10:50 am)

Meet our 23/24 Side-by-Side Faculty

Joshua Garver

Co-Director, Longy Side-by-Side | Instructor, Master of Music in Music Education

Joshua Garver (Josh) is a violinist and music educator who began his violin studies like so many of his students, in his neighborhood public school system. Josh found joy and belonging in playing his violin in school orchestra with his peers and continued playing in orchestras and chamber groups at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance, the Eastman Community Music School, and the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. His primary teachers during his youth include Amy Murrell, Dr. Andrea Dawson, and Dr. Lee Wilkins. In 2006, Joshua attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music Education with an emphasis in strings. There, Joshua studied with string pedagogues Dr. Brenda Brenner and Mimi Zweig. He began his teaching career in 2008 under Dr. Brenner’s tutelage at the Fairview Violin Project, a program with the goal of providing violin instruction to young children without access to such instruction and with the intention of answering some basic research questions concerning the cognitive and social effects of early violin study. In 2011, Joshua graduated and moved to Boston to begin his work as an El Sistema Resident Artist at Conservatory Lab Charter School. During his 8 year tenure at Conservatory Lab, Joshua taught beginning strings to over 1,000 students, working tirelessly to instill a sense of joy, pride, and ownership in his students. He completed his Masters of Music in Music Education at Boston University in 2017. Joshua currently teaches Middle School Strings at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, and teaches privately through Conservatory at Highlands and his own studio, Spy Pond Strings. Josh is thrilled to be serving as co-director for the Longy Side-by-Side program.

Jared Cassedy

Co-Director, Longy Side-by-Side | Faculty, Master of Music in Music Education

Jared L. Cassedy is the K-12 Performing Arts Coordinator and LHS Wind Ensemble Conductor for Lexington Public Schools, MA and also directs the Junior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. Jared serves as President-Elect for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and is the immediate Past Chairperson of the MMEA Northeastern District. Before coming to Massachusetts, Jared was the K-12 Fine and Performing Arts Director for the Windham, NH and Salem, NH School Districts and director of the Windham High School Band Program. He is the 2015 recipient of the prestigious GRAMMY Music Educator Award and was most recently named a 2022 National Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation. Jared has conducted a myriad of regional honor bands across New England, given a variety of lectures on leadership and best practices in teaching, including the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic presenting a session titled “Fine Tuning Ensemble Culture and Why it Matters – Intentionally Creating a Positive Community Through Conversation and Collaboration,” and has participated in TEDx speaking about his journey and philosophies through his career in education. Additionally, Jared serves on the Equity Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Council of Music Program Leaders for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Tyler James

Director, Young Artists Chamber Music Intensive

Lauded as performing “like a gladiator” and with a “phenomenal color palette” (Radda), cellist Tyler Michael James stands out as an ebullient artist of his generation. He is a top prize winner at the Radda International String Competition and regularly performs as an international soloist and chamber musician. A champion of new music, Tyler just released the official recording of Jessie Montgomery’s “Loisaida, My Love” on the Monday Music Label.

Dr. Erin Zaffini

Director of Teacher Education

Dr. Erin Zaffini (DMA) is the Director of Teacher Education for Longy’s online and on-campus Master of Music Education degrees, where she teaches practicum seminar and licensure, and advises the master’s final project. She is also a faculty member for the University of New Hampshire’s Professional Development Department, where she teaches in-service teachers how to integrate music and movement into their classroom, as well as teaches Early Childhood Music and Movement. She has taught preK-8 general music, choral and instrumental music, and musical theater. She is an active clinician around the country, serves as the Eastern Division Representative for NAfME’s General Music Council, is the Collegiate Coordinator, General Music Chair and Mentor Program Coordinator for the New Hampshire Music Educators Association, and sits on the Advisory Committee for the Music Educators Journal. Dr. Zaffini is the project leader for instituting music educator mentor training within the Society for Music Teacher Education and the National Association for Music Education. She is the recipient of the Keene State College Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Performance Awards. She has recently published articles in General Music Today, Music Educators Journal, Qualitative Research in Music Education, and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education.