This school year, the fine arts department has been researching ways to enhance the comprehensive experience for fifth-grade music students. Parents, students and staff participated in surveys about the current music class for fifth-grade students. A committee was formed to review the research collected from other public and private schools across the nation, as well as survey data. The committee of parents and staff was charged with defining the best approach for fifth-graders to learn music with diverse exposure.
At a board work session in February, members of the committee presented their findings to the school board and administration. The committee presented a scenario focused on general music with a dedicated music instructor. Students will receive comprehensive instruction in the music standards addressing music literacy, composing and performing on a variety of musical instruments, and music appreciation addressing the historical and cultural relevance of music. The class will introduce the variety of musical and theater opportunities that students can continue after fifth grade by exposing students to band and orchestra instruments and choir and theater performance opportunities while building a strong foundation of musical skills for all students.
“We know our families expect excellence,” said Principal Skip Moran. “We feel confident these adaptations will provide a better return on investment for their child’s music experience and will create enthusiasm to perhaps continue their musical journey beyond fifth grade.”
Sally Schedler served on the committee, is president-elect for HP Arts and has two children who have taken fifth-grade music as well as an elementary child. “I think children will love this new approach,” shared Schedler. “The updates promise a more in-depth and encompassing view to the world of music and will thoroughly feature all of the district’s sixth through 12th-grade music and theater offerings.”
The committee wanted fifth-graders to have an opportunity to see music students perform, explore their instruments and ask them questions about their experiences. Kristen Pratt, HP Arts President, served on the committee and is a parent of a rising fifth-grader. Pratt believes the revamp of the program will make a positive change. “This class combines music theory and appreciation with an opportunity to spend time with current band, orchestra, choir and theater students. This will hopefully help fifth-graders make an informed decision about their fine arts choice for sixth grade,” Pratt said.
Approximately half of fifth-grade students enroll in choir, band or orchestra for their sixth-grade year. “We see the impact of this change as positive for our students,” said Director of Instrumental Music Reagan Brumley. Brumley also served as a committee member for the new approach. “It will allow our fifth-graders a more cumulative year in music with a sound fundamental beginning. I anticipate we could even see an increase in our enrollment numbers for music as we create more well-rounded fifth-grade musicians.”
With the new approach, families will no longer need to rent an instrument. During the class, students will be using a variety of instruments including piano keyboards as part of the curriculum to learn melodies, rhythm and basic composition. The class will provide a cross-curricular experience tying music together with math to learn patterns and timing, the science of sound, and social studies through cultural connections to music. Fifth-grade fine arts teachers are planning for after-school enrichment opportunities to include honor choir, band and orchestra.
“Through the surveys and interviews with our families and staff, we believe we have found a program that not only meets the state requirements and needs of our families but will also make children excited about music,” Moran said.
McCulloch Intermediate staff is looking forward to meeting with fourth-graders and their parents. Once the school closure is lifted, tours will be provided as well as answers to questions about the new approach as well as the transition to fifth grade. The music enhancements will begin with the 2020-21 school year.