More Than Music: Mrs Rosco’s Role as a Music Educator

Guest Contribution by Catelin Crawford, Freshman

Mrs. Rosco stands at the front of the choir, one hand keeping time while the other signals a soft entrance. The singers adjust instantly, their many voices blending as she mouths the words along with them. Even in the seemingly small and meaningless moments, she is more than a teacher, she is an anchor, holding the sound, confidence, and performance together.

For many students, choir and musicals are more than classes or extracurriculars; they are a second home. Mrs. Rosco, being the primary director of both, plays a central role in creating that environment, shaping a program that emphasizes open-mindedness, structure, and community.

“Sometimes the magic in the room doesn’t happen at the performance. Sometimes the magic is just us coming together as a community in the choir room, laughing, having inside jokes, and just feeling really connected to each other,” Mrs. Rosco explained.

The sense of community that these activities build is entirely a group effort. Every successful rehearsal or performance is a reflection of the relationship between the students and their craft, their determination, and their teacher. The connection between Mrs. Rosco and the entire musical department can be attributed to the fact that she views teachers not as just instructors, but as people responsible for shaping students’ growth academically, creatively, and personally.

“We need to be really great role models, we need to be willing to meet students where they are, do our very best to help them feel like they can succeed, and help them find their strengths. They’re gonna go out and make the world a better place with the stuff that they’re good at.”

Over time, trends change, and so do people. Mannerisms and language evolve into something that could be entirely separate from years prior. This is Mrs. Rosco’s 18th year teaching at East Allegheny, and she had this to say about how the students she gets have changed over the years.

“I think, in some ways, teenagers have always been teenagers, and they’re all on the same path of trying to find themselves, figuring out who they are, where they belong, and that’s one of the things I love about working with high schoolers, is being a part of that journey for kids.”

For her students, Mrs. Rosco’s influence extends beyond music. Through choir and musicals, they gain confidence, discipline, and the ability to be seen and heard through music, lessons that last far longer than any performance.