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Music Program |
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Overview & Course OfferingsThere are two music teachers in Millbrae who carry out a
schedule
of two and a half full time positions. Both teachers work at
the
five campuses of Millbrae School District in order to offer
instruction
to as many students as possible. The general structure is that each
student
receives a small group lesson once a week and more advanced
students
participate in a small or large ensemble in addition to lessons.
Other opportunities include
solo and
small ensemble work, Winter and Spring performances, shows at
local
venues, field trips and tour performances. Approximately 500
students in Millbrae are taking advantage of the opportunity to
study music. At the Taylor School, there are several large ensembles which include Bulldog Band, Concert Band, Intermediate & Advanced String Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble and Chorus. There are also opportunities for chamber music such as The Taylor String Quartet and other groups, including ensembles formed for CMEA functions. At each of the elementary school campuses (Lomita Park School, Spring Valley School, Green Hills School and Meadows School), there are orchestras in addition to the small group lessons. In general, at the elementary schedule operates with one lesson
for each student per
week and one orchestra rehearsal for selected advanced students.
At Taylor School, each
student participates in a major ensemble before school during zero
period and then has one
group lesson per week during the day. While the schedule must
be flexible from year
to year, the standard schedule is String Orchestra (MW), Full
Orchestra (W), Concert Band (TTH), Chorus (W),
and Jazz Band (F). String lessons are on Mondays and Band lessons are on Tuesdays, each week.. The feeder schedule works that the elementary students in Millbrae
go to Taylor Middle School and Taylor students move primarily to
Mills High School, as well as Capuchino and Burlingame High
Schools.
In addition to the regular schedule of lessons, the music teachers
involve the students in related special events and field trips to
enhance their cultural studies and development. These include a
trip
to The San Francisco Symphony, visits by professional string
quartets
and other ensembles, a concert tour, Play-A-Thon, and other
activities.
Other offerings by The Music Department include a General
Musical Studies or Music Exploratives course for 6th graders. Advanced musicians also take part in an annual
spring trip which has included, among other activities: adjudicated
performances, community concerts, camping and theme park
attendance.
Summer School availability is determined in the spring - TBDSummer SchoolMillbrae's Enrichment Summer School is located at various district schools from late June through
mid July each year. The dates are TBA each year depending on end of regular session and other factors. Classes run in the morning from 8:30 AM to 11:50 AM. As in
previous years,
music courses will be offered as part of the Enrichment Program.
The course descriptions
are below. Please call 650-697-0983 or email
Mr.
McGaw if you have further questions.
Music Head Start
Double Your Pleasure
Orchestra
CurriculumThe music faculty has developed and updated teaching standards over the past 50 years in order to provide a framework for goals of musical achievement. The general course of instruction is listed below and while it must be flexible and vary according the to the abilities of all students, it includes our hopes for completion by the end of each year.
StandardsIn addition to the vocational aspect of our curriculum guidelines
listed above, the following set of standards is the outline for
performance and development of musicians for the middle grades in
Millbrae School District. These are based on the initial skills learned
in Grades 4 & 5 music study as shown on this page. While we strive
to help all students achieve all of these standards and goal points,
realistic observation bears out a necessary need for flexibility and
accommodation to a variety of levels and circumstances. These
specific points, however, provide an overview for vertical
development over the course of time studying music within The
Millbrae School District Music Program and our curriculum and
performance goals are in alignment with these principles.
Consideration is also given to the fact that the study of music has
been proven to incrementally improve student performance and academic achievement.
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