Blake’s Beats: All About the Hallway Music!

Blake’s hallways are louder and brighter as we have a new and improved addition to the schedule, with music being played in the halls. The variety of songs is like a melting pot of different tastes and personalities all highlighting various areas of Blake’s culture. Principal Shanay Snead says, “I wanted it to resemble everybody, like different types of music, different tempos, different beats, different messages, just so people could feel more seen and reflected throughout the school community.” At first, no one thought this was going to succeed. Last school year, Blake tested this idea, but it wasn’t consistent. This year, the first few weeks of school have had stories and poems turned into melodies and rhythms penetrating the hallways. Although, there has been no music for the past few days. 

Like you, The Blake Beat also wonders where this idea originated. What inspired it? Why is it beneficial to Blake? When did we have the time to put this together? Who thought of this? Well, we can take it back to a few years ago. Principal Snead worked at Albert Einstein High School before becoming a principal at Blake, and the music was played there! Now did it have the same homey, Blake spin on it? Probably not. She proposed making Blake’s students feel more comfortable and at home. In most cases, students should feel a sense of belonging and show school pride. It’s more than that for Blake—not only is it a community, but it should feel like a home. 

We sat down with Principal Snead to answer all of our question’s about the hallway music. Principal Snead says that the hallway music was incorporated to help students get to class while also providing a positive environment. “This was a project I wanted to implement last year but it’s kind of spotty,” she explains. Snead mentions that she believed the music has decreased after-the-bell stragglers in the hallways. The music stops one minute before classes start, a change from the previous two minutes. Principal Snead believes that two minutes made students feel like they had too much time, but one minute is just right.

Are you a Spotify or Apple Music person? Well, Blake uses Spotify! They connect a device to the intercom system and run a playlist specifically created for Blake. But, Principal Snead is open to school-appropriate requests from students! Clean versions of songs are allowed, but cannot be used if the edited words are very obvious. 

Principal Snead says she has not heard any negative feedback from students, staff, or parents about the music. It is very positive! She commented on parents walking in to pick up their children during the school day and sharing with her how cool this new feature is. However, she is open to constructive feedback or suggestions. The music does not play in offices or classrooms. Principal Snead says the music is here to stay! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with The Blake Beat, Principal Snead!