Music is more than just notes on a page. It’s a shared experience, a discipline, an art form, and, at Monmouth-Roseville Schools, a tradition that thrives under the leadership of Lisa Fornoff and Emily Pickrell.

These two educators guide students through the transformative world of music, from their first hesitant notes in fifth grade to the confident performances of high school ensembles. Lisa, who directs both the elementary and high school bands, has the unique privilege of watching students grow musically over the years, while Emily fosters a love of choral music and general music education across multiple grade levels.

Lisa wasn’t always a Monmouth-Roseville native. She grew up in La Salle, Illinois, and after attending Western Illinois University, she became the district’s first assistant band director, a position that helped expand and strengthen the music program. Emily, on the other hand, has deep family ties to Monmouth—her great-grandmother taught here for over 30 years, and her grandparents met through band.

“I called my grandma to tell her I got the job, and she said, ‘Of all places, Monmouth! How wonderful!’” Emily recalled.

Both Lisa and Emily believe music education is about more than learning scales and memorizing sheet music. It’s about discipline, teamwork, and fostering a sense of achievement.

“There’s no hiding in music,” Lisa said. “If you’re not prepared, it shows. If you don’t show up, it affects the entire group.”

Music is one of the few academic subjects that requires both individual growth and group collaboration. A student must practice their own part while also blending with others, adjusting to the ensemble, and trusting in the collective effort.

The community plays a major role in the success of the music program. Unlike some districts where the arts are an afterthought, Monmouth-Roseville has consistently supported its music department, recognizing the value it brings to students.

"When I ask, ‘Will this make their experience better?’ they listen,” Lisa said. “And if the answer is yes, they make it happen."

That support was recently demonstrated in a $50,000 grant awarded for new instruments, a game-changer for students who previously had to rely on older, worn-out equipment.

Beyond funding, Monmouth-Roseville encourages new opportunities for students to engage with music in different ways.

One of those opportunities is the choir chimes program, which Emily started in 2005. Similar to handbells, the chimes allow students to participate in ensemble music-making even if they don’t play a traditional instrument.

Additionally, students at Monmouth-Roseville have access to modern music technology through programs like Soundtrap, a digital audio workstation similar to GarageBand.

“It’s amazing,” Lisa said. “Students who started using Soundtrap in sixth grade can log in as high schoolers and still find their old projects saved.”

These programs allow students to explore music in multiple ways, from traditional band and choir to digital music production and ensemble performance.

Lisa and Emily don’t just teach music—they create experiences, shape futures, and give students a lifelong appreciation for the power of sound.

One of Lisa’s college professors once told her that music is the only class, aside from theology, that exists purely to enrich human experience. That concept has stuck with her, shaping her philosophy as a music educator.

Music is emotional, universal, and deeply personal. It’s a way to express what words cannot, to connect across cultures, and to preserve history.

“I think music is what makes us human,” Emily said. “It can bring up emotions you didn’t even realize were there, and it can mean something different to every person who listens.”

And that, more than any individual performance or competition, is what makes their work so meaningful.