Humans of SJK: Mr. Ben Wright

Mr. Ben Wright is among the newest group of educators to join SJK. After eleven years at Greenwood College School and a year in the Upper Grand District School Board, Mr. Wright began teaching Language & Literature and Instrumental Music at SJK in September of 2022. He notes how exciting it was to spot a full-time music teacher position in the area. Teaching courses for Grades 7 through to Grade 10 allows Mr. Wright to get to know a lot of people, which is beneficial as a newer faculty member on campus. If you don’t encounter Mr. Wright in the Music Room or Lang. & Lit. classroom, it’s likely you’ve met him in the hallways, always offering a smile and a warm hello. This approachability extends into the classroom where he makes it a point to support student-led learning and foster an environment where students can take the lead. He explains, “The Music room tends to be a safe space for many kids. I work to foster an accepting environment where students are able to be themselves and feel comfortable both performing and sharing their ideas."

Something Mr. Wright looks forward to most is not a specific class or subject, but the experience leading up to performances and concerts. He loves “bringing a sense of direction to artistic programs” and seeing large-scale performances come together, including events such as Art and Jazz Night and Carol Service. He enjoys working with different ensembles, classes, and student groups to create special performances. Mr. Wright explains, “My favourite thing would be bringing together different classes and different ensembles to do cool, authentic learning opportunities where students can have real accountability, are able to really take advantage of those opportunities where they can show what they’ve learned, [and] stakes are kinda high.”

Mr. Wright’s approach to music education involves teaching from a variety of different angles. This means not solely focusing on performance, but including lessons and activities on musical composition, film scoring, and music history. For example, his Grade 9 students are learning about film scoring and what musical elements contribute to emotions, such as minor chords to invoke sadness or short notes to scare or startle the viewer. Mr. Wright also facilitates accountability and leadership in the classroom and during co-curricular activities. As a case in point, students in Jazz Band were tasked with selecting their own musical themes and selection of pieces for the upcoming Art and Jazz Night.

Some of Mr. Wright’s “SJK favourites” include two specific places on our campus. He tends to arrive early in the morning and loves driving up the lane with a view of ducks and geese waking up on the pond, surrounded by mist on the water. Mr. Wright also loves the Chapel, a special place where he finds time to take breaks amidst a busy schedule to play the newly upgraded organ in a space he describes as “big, beautiful…The light is so nice.” Mr. Wright’s favourite aspect of SJK is the well-roundedness of our students. He says, “I like that it’s a small school so students are willing to take a lot of different chances and do a lot of different things…the members of my Jazz Band are also athletes.” He found it “pleasantly surprising” when he had 25 students show up for Jazz Band and observes their “willingness to allow themselves to engage in many different aspects of education.”

Music is a large part of the SJK Co-Curricular Program and Mr. Wright plays several important roles. He is the director of the Jazz Band, co-director of the String Ensemble, and rehearsal accompanist for the Lower and Upper School Choirs. Mark your calendars for April 20 when you can hear Mr. Wright and student musicians play at the Art and Jazz Night.