December 30, 2025
Setting the Tone: Dr. Thomas López Ushers in New Era of Music at Poly
By John Myers
By Brianna Sylvain
Poly Prep’s appointment of Dr. Noni Thomas López as new head of school signifies change in more ways than one. For example, Thomas López is the first woman and person of color to be Poly’s head of school in the institution’s history. With a new head of school comes a shift within school culture and student life. One change that Thomas López made this school year that is emblematic of this shift is the addition of music speakers on Poly Prep’s Upper School campus, located in the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn.
This year, arrivals to and dismissals from campus function the same as they have years past. In the mornings, students make their way into one of the various entrances on campus to begin their school day. While in the afternoons, students funnel out of the front entrance to find their bus, which is parked in the Oval, or make their way to their car. However, these anticipated routines that students follow without a second thought are now being soundtracked.
Outside the front entrance, about six speakers are nestled in the grass and most likely wouldn’t catch one’s eye upon first glance since they were designed to look like rocks. In the mornings and afternoons, as students enter and exit the building, the speakers play music ranging from current modern hits to classic blasts from the past. “Playing music is my way of welcoming you each day and saying farewell. It’s a way to start and end the school day with some joy, some energy, some connection,” said Thomas López in an interview conducted over email.
Musical arrivals and dismissals are practices that Thomas López first implemented at her previous school. However, she decided to bring the ritual to Poly for a myriad of reasons. “Poly is so big, I hoped that music could be one way I could communicate to the community when I can’t see all of you every day. I curated the playlist, so you can get to know me a little bit … but I also did it because Poly is a school that thrives in community and music is, I believe, one of the best ways to connect people to one another,” said Thomas López.
Thomas López’s belief in music’s ability to connect and enhance spaces is actually supported by research. According to a study done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “a key function of music during its development and spread amongst human populations was its capacity to create and strengthen social bonds amongst interacting group members.” Meaning that this new change has the ability to bring together and promote camaraderie within the student body. Which raises the question: what has the student response been?
This new addition has also not gone unnoticed by the student body. “Me and my friends like the music. We listen to it and vibe,” said junior Penny Kessler. The music being played is bringing students together and perhaps that was Thomas López’s goal. “I think that she [Thomas López] just wanted to bring good vibes to the school and change the mood…she just wanted to make the school feel more lively,” continued Kessler. However, Kessler mentioned that in some situations the music has been distracting and disruptive. She recalls taking an assessment last period and her and classmates were disturbed by the music as they finished.
Students have expressed interest in being a part of the curation process and a way to interact with the music beyond just listening. “I think they should ask students what they want to have played,” said senior Eliana Cochrane. Junior Francis Van de Gevel suggested that during school-wide assemblies students have the opportunity to suggest songs to be played, “During assembly, you pick a random person. They get to pick a song.” Students’ willingness and desire to not only be listeners, but curators of this music, is reflective of their positive response to the new change. And Thomas López is open to adding a layer of student involvement. “I would love this! We need more up-to-date songs, I’m sure. I think students could figure out a simple way to contribute to the playlist. I’m totally open to it,” she explained.
This small addition to campus life is having an impact on students and seemingly one for the better. Now the Poly community must look to the future to see in what other ways Thomas López will continue to garner school spirit and positive energy on campus.
