NR-S hires new music teacher

When students of New Rockford-Sheyenne returned to school following winter break, a new music teacher was waiting for them.

Drew Relling, a 2023 graduate of North Dakota State University, has been hired to teach secondary music education at NR-S as a long-term substitute.

That brings the district's music program back to its usual two teachers, as Jeff Ingerson – who taught music to all grades in the first semester – will transition to mostly elementary music education.

The move also keeps the district's choral program from going anywhere, as NR-S seniors had faced the possibility of not having a choir for their final semester.

Instead, Relling is now teaching high school choir and band, as well as middle school choir.

A native of Grand Forks, Relling may be familiar to some in New Rockford, as he originally came to town to work with the Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts (DPRCA).

He's already been in several shows at the Old Church Theatre, most recently playing Kel in DPRCA's "The Christmas Show."

He's now spent a couple of summers in New Rockford while working with the DPRCA and attending NDSU, from where he's since earned his degree in musical theatre.

But this year is the first time Relling has remained in town for the fall and winter, saying he's enjoyed the DPRCA, as well as the community he's steadily getting familiar with.

"It's just kind of one of those towns where everybody knows everybody, and that's a nice environment," said Relling.

And now, he's excited to be helping out the local music program.

He said he was approached about the potential of teaching music earlier this year, and decided to go for it after hearing from some of his would-be students.

"I actually met a couple of the students on a tour of the school after meeting with administration," recalled Relling.

"And just kind of talking to them, especially the seniors, and hearing their disappointment in not having a choral program for the last semester of their high school careers. I just kind of wanted to step in and help the kids out."

Relling's been at it for a few weeks now, and he's already excited about the concerts coming up this spring.

"I've been having a lot of fun with it so far, getting to know the kids and starting to guide them through some of the new songs we've picked up," said Relling, "and I'm excited for what's to come and all the concerts in the spring."

Moving forward, Relling's focus will be on providing an "input-oriented" experience for his students, where they can have some input and some control over their music education this semester.

In other words, as Relling put it, they'll be "learning things they want to learn."

The goal, he said, is to develop confidence in themselves and their singing abilities.

"I look forward to guiding them to that point, where they feel comfortable just going on with their lives and singing whenever and wherever, and just making that a lifelong hobby and passion," said Relling.