Building a Foundation of Music

SEELEY LAKE – Kristen Cottom is looking forward to bringing her energy to the music classes of Seeley-Swan High School, Seeley Lake Elementary and Swan Valley School this year. A first-year teacher, she looks forward to encouraging the students to work hard and give them a good music foundation while honing in on the talent that already exists.

Cottom was raised in Dillon, Mont.

"I just knew as a little kid that I wanted to be a teacher. I loved my teachers so much that I wanted to be a teacher," said Cottom.

In high school Cottom fell in love with music. Her parents and grandparents are musicians. Her sophomore year in high school she decided to pursue teaching music.

Cottom attend the University of Montana and graduated May 2017 with a music education degree. She is certified to teach kindergarten through 12th grade.

Cottom has played trumpet for the past 10 years and she is also a vocalist. While at the UM, she played in the jazz band, pep band, marching band, orchestra and sang in the choir.

The area music director position includes teaching general music, fifth grade band and middle school band in the mornings Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at Seeley Lake Elementary and Tuesdays and Thursdays at Swan Valley School. In the afternoons, the music director teaches band, choir and music theory at Seeley-Swan High School.

When Cottom heard about the position she thought it fit her skill-set well and she was excited about the opportunity to live in the Seeley Lake area, "because it is so beautiful."

"I've always wanted to [teach] K-12 because I love little kids and love general music, I love middle school and doing middle school band and choir and I love high schoolers," said Cottom. "It just felt like a really good fit for me because I'm like a jack-of-all-trades type person."

While Cottom is excited to see the music program grow, she is looking forward to working with the high schoolers and getting everyone on the same level. Of the 15 students in the SSHS band and 18 students in the choir some are new to band and others have been in for several years. By tapping into the talent that already exists, she hopes to "continue to elevate the level so they can enjoy music more." They are currently focusing on preparing music for their Winter Concert.

Cottom said the first couple weeks for the high schoolers at The Resort at Paws Up was interesting.

"I just packed my car up with all the instruments, stands and key board for the choir and thankfully Paws Up had an auditorium so we went in there," said Cottom who was incredibly grateful to The Resort for the accommodations. "We made do and [surprisingly] got a lot done in the two weeks."

In the future, Cottom hopes that they will be able to participate in more music festivals and have more performing opportunities to play and sing outside of the school. There will be a pep band again this year during the basketball season. Cottom encourages anyone who would like the band and/or choir to perform to contact her. Cottom also gives private lessons and encourages questions about music. Email is a good way to contact her, kcottom@mcps.k12.mt.us or call any of the schools and leave a message.

When Cottom is not teaching she plays in the Missoula Community Gamelan, an Indonesian percussion group, and she sings in the Missoula Chamber Chorale. She also loves being outdoors hiking and fishing, relaxing and spending time with her family and friends.

"I'm really excited to be here and bring some young, fun energy," said Cottom. "I leave every day with a big smile and love the kids. They make it worth it."