New to Falcon High School this year is instrumental teacher James Divine and also new to FHS is a string ensemble.Divine, who received his musical training at the Army School of Music in Norfolk, Va., and his teaching certificate from Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., has taught music for seven years at the Colorado Springs School, a private school in the Broadmoor area. He also spent 12 years as a performer – and still performs when he’s not teaching.In his first year at FHS, Divine is teaching intermediate and advanced concert band, jazz band, beginning guitar and string ensemble.Twelve students who play bass, cello, violas and violins make up the string ensemble. “The kids are the ones who should get credit,” Divine said. “They asked for the class, so this was all in motion before I arrived here.”Divine is enjoying teaching at FHS and said he would like to have three levels of concert band at FHS. “I think the kids at Falcon are more down-to-earth,” he said. “I think there’s a bigger percentage who takes music seriously.”On Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., the two concert bands and the string ensemble will present a small group concert in the commons area at Falcon High School. The free concert is open to the public.
