Osseo Area Schools ISD 279: North View Middle School Band Teacher Engages Students In African American Spirituals

Press release from the Osseo Area Schools ISD 279:

February 3, 2022

Steven Reisetter, band teacher at North View Middle School, tailor makes and arranges music for his students. Not only does he do this practice to meet his students where they are at but to connect his students culturally.

During Black History Month, Reisetter is engaging students in African American spirituals and teaching the rich history of the Civil Rights Movement. His band class will be performing “We Shall Not be Moved” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” at their upcoming concert on March 23.

“The most important thing is to find material, literature, for the kids that speak to them that's part of their experience, and is meaningful in their life, not just mine,” Reisetter says.

After 35 years of teaching, Reisetter has incorporated strategies to teach more effectively. When asked why he selected these songs, he shared the importance of connecting his students to who they are.

“Every month is Black History Month. It is American history. If you don’t know African American history, you don’t know history, and if you don’t know African American music, you don’t know music.”

This press release was produced by the Osseo Area Schools ISD 279. The views expressed here are the author’s own.