Oakmont’s music educator, Kris S. DeMoura, recently earned the CDMMEA High School Music Educator of the Year Award. This award celebrates excellence and dedication within the world of music education.
This accolade is a reflection of all the hard work DeMoura has put into the craft. From skillfully teaching students to changing lives, DeMoura does it all!
“I was completely caught off guard and felt very honored,” DeMoura responded when asked what his reaction was to winning the award.
The Central District Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association (CDMMEA) scholarship program frequently honors an outstanding Central Massachusetts Educator. While specific Educator of the Year awards are announced during the festival season, nominations, including this award, are accepted annually.
DeMoura was in the graduate class of 1994 at Reading Memorial High School. In middle school, he almost quit music altogether, but ended up sticking with it when music director, Mr. David Bunten, convinced DeMoura to join the marching band. DeMoura fell in love with music and the logistics of teaching from there on out.
“When I was an upperclassman in high school, I was working with a freshman in a trumpet lesson. It took a lot of work to get them to understand a specific concept. When they did, the look on their face was inspirational. I decided then that I wanted to be able to provide that for others,” DeMoura shared.
But as is so true of success stories, a leader often needs that important mentor, and DeMoura was important to note that he was inspired by his high school music director and brass coordinator.
After high school, DeMoura attended the University of Massachusetts Lowell, studying education and earning a Master’s degree in Tuba Performance.
After DeMoura finished college, he landed the gig at Oakmont, a small high school split between the towns of Westminster and Ashburnham. Former director, Kris Lucander passed down the torch, and DeMoura took charge and shaped the program the community knows and adores to this day.
DeMoura teaches a wide range of classes, including Music Theory, History of Rock & Roll, Concert Band, and Concert Choir. Sophomore, Tegan Fraticelli, highlights his favorite memory from Music Theory, stating that DeMoura would give an extra day on the quiz to prepare and go over what would be on the quizzes. This allowed the students to feel as prepared as they could be.
“I hope they remember how much I care about them as a person and what they brought to our music program, contributing to our success,” said Demoura.
If you think your schedule is busy, DeMoura has you beat! As well as teaching, DeMoura also directs many ensembles at Oakmont, pouring hours into the craft. DeMoura directs the Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Select Choir while being in the background for both of the Winter Ensembles (Guard and Percussion). DeMoura is at the school constantly and is always finding ways to push and challenge the students.
When asked about some of his favorite memories from the years, DeMoura said, “Every year, the program gets better and better. However, the moments that stand out are the major performances (Disney, Hatch Shell, NESBA Finals, etc.) that leave lasting impressions on me.”
Regarding classes, DeMoura takes a strong liking to Rock & Roll. He enjoys listening to the Beach Boys and other classic rock groups. While DeMoura loves almost all music genres, one genre he cannot stand is Hip-Hop. While liking some of the “old-school” songs, he says he just can’t get past the new rap, stating, “Too many swears.”
“The music program is a place where students from a wide variety of areas are included in an activity that is devoted to excellence, “ Principal of Oakmont, Mr. Jeffery Lizotte, said.
DeMoura has shaped the Oakmont community for the better over the past 25 years. Inspiring, enlightening, and educating are just a few of the traits DeMoura brings to the table at Oakamont. Senior Adam Lassora said, “Mr. DeMoura has shaped my musical journey by always being available for help and by giving us many opportunities. He is very good at encouraging students and is responsible for making many of the ensembles great.”
DeMoura cares deeply about his students. “The students here are the best on the planet. I really feel that way. I feel that our students care and take responsibility for how their music program progresses and grows. They are respectful and hard-working,” said DeMoura.
So many people, students and teachers alike, have been impacted by DeMoura being in their lives. “Mr. DeMoura’s passion for music and expertise in the field create an environment where students want to be a part of the greatness that he has helped build,” Lizotte stated, ”There are generations of former Oakmont music students who have also gone on to become music educators which also continues house legacy both here and across the communities those students then go to work at to share the love of music that was instilled in them by Mr. DeMoura.”
The administration sees the dedication and work that DeMoura puts into not only the music program but Oakmont itself. The district has been great about providing the necessary needs to support a high-quality music program, Lizotte said, “The district understands that supporting high-quality programs, such as the music program, creates an important sense of pride for both the students, the school, and the community itself.”
“We work to create schedules that enable the programs to thrive, and the district supports the staff in elementary and middle school, knowing that to sustain the high quality of our programs at the high school, it begins with a great music education program beginning in the elementary schools, and carried through Overlook as well. Without that support and understanding, the program could not thrive as it does,” Lizotte said.
Clearly, DeMoura has brought the music program and its members to new heights at Oakmont throughout the years,
Junior Joel Desrosiers said, “Mr. DeMoura has shaped my experience at Oakmont because I feel like he has taught me the most out of all of the teachers at Oakmont, even if I remove what he has taught me in extracurricular ensembles. I am also a part of many music ensembles that he runs, which I enjoy being a part of and have greatly helped me improve as a musician and as a person.”
DeMoura continues to inspire, enlighten, and support the community and will continue to do so. Congratulations, Mr. DeMoura, on this prestigious award!
