WUSD K-12 Music Curriculum

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Windsor Unified School District

K -12 Music Curriculum

1.     Philosophy -- All students in Grades K – 12 should have a comprehensive education in music based on the California State Standards: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/mumain.asp . )  At all levels, music classes should be delivered by certificated and highly qualified music education professionals.   The Windsor Unified School District should commit to providing a more equitable ratio of music teachers per capita of district enrollment.  The current music teacher to student ratio in the WUSD is approximately 1892:1.   (District enrollment divided by the number of music positions.)  The Windsor Unified School District and each of its school sites should commit a portion of the budget to music education beyond the costs incurred by hiring teachers.  The music teachers of the district should be allowed to concentrate on teaching music, not fundraising to run the program.  The district should provide funding for materials, music, supplies, instruments, instrument repairs and appropriate facilities for music ensembles and general music classes.  Windsor Middle School and Windsor High School should have a Fine Arts requirement for promotion/graduation.

2.     Rationale – Music is integral to the overall success of our students and to their development as complete and well educated individuals.

Music:

·      optimizes brain development

·      improves math performance

·      improves reading performance

·      enhances multiple intelligences

·      improves attendance and graduation rates

·      improves scores on SATs and Standardized Tests

·      builds social and emotional skills

·      develops impulse control and motor development

·      enhances language acquisition

3.     Mission Statement and Goals

            The Windsor Unified School District should have the following goals for             music:           

            K-5 grades 100% student participation in a Standards based music program.

            6^th grade – 100% participation via performing ensembles or general music. 

            7-8 grades   At least 40% participation in performing ensembles.  A further                                participation by middle school student in other music electives offered as part of  “Rotation”.

            9-12 grades At least 20% participation in performing ensembles.  Further participation by high school students in other music electives.

4.     Elementary Curriculum

                 K-5 – All students should receive music instruction based on the California State Standards from a credentialed music specialist at least once per week. Instruction should include:

·      Singing in tune

·      Developing musical memory by repeating melodic and rhythmic patterns

·      Developing a sense of beat

·      Reading and writing simple rhythmic patterns

·      Learning a wide variety of music from different cultures and genres and folk songs

·      Simple music reading using solfege. 

5.     Middle School Curriculum

            6-8 –100% of 6^th grade students should have some music class either through one of the performing ensembles or a general music rotation.  Music classes should be taught by music specialists in their area of expertise.   Have yearly outreach concerts from WHS and WMS to             elementary and middle school.  District to provide support including buses, and substitute             teachers.

            The following courses should be offered at the Middle School level:

·      Beginning Band

·      Beginning Strings

·      Beginning Chorus

·      Advanced Band

·      Advanced Strings

·      Advanced Chorus

·      General Music Education Class including Music In Education Keyboard Lab, Guitar, Music Appreciation, Recorder.

            Students should be encouraged to be in music in middle school.  There should be a Music Requirement (Fine Arts) for promotion from Windsor Middle School. 

6.     High School Curriculum

            9-12 – All students should fulfill a Fine Arts Requirement to graduate from High School based on the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards. Music classes should be taught by music specialists in their area of expertise. Have yearly outreach concerts from WHS to elementary and middle school. District to provide support including buses, and substitute teachers.

            The following classes should be offered at the High School level:

·      Concert Band

·      Symphonic Band

·      Wind Ensemble

·      Jazz Band

·      Beginning Chorus

·      Advanced Chorus

·      Chamber Singers

·      String Orchestra

·      Full Orchestra

·      Guitar

·      Digital Music in a fully equipped Electronic Music Lab.

·      AP Music Theory