This program is devoted to group singing. Students will learn to identify, understand, and use the basic elements involved in making music: rhythm, melody, and song structure. Students acquire a musical vocabulary, and explore the cultural dimensions of music. We emphasize the co-operative, yet self-expressive, nature of the choral performance discipline. We encourage students to share the indigenous songs of their respective cultures. Part of our purpose is to challenge the students to find both the common threads and to appreciate cultural differences.

Playing a musical instrument is a wonderful way for a student to develop discipline through daily practice; respect and responsibility through caring for an instrument; the ethic of teamwork when working with other students; and an overall sense of accomplishment and self-confidence through performance.

144 Music and Arts is devoted to creating and maintaining bands in all age groups. Our Teaching Artists instruct beginning, intermediate, and advanced Marching Band, Jazz Band, Popular Music Ensembles, as well as other performance oriented musical groups.We can organize your school band. This ludes auditioning students, ordering musical instruments, and related materials (i.e.: reeds, strings, sheet music, manuscript paper, music stands, etc.)

Learning to read and learning mathematics can be a daunting task. With the help of a computer attached to a synthesizer; we have created a way to make both processes exciting and entertaining! Our students develop dexterity with both keyboards reasing their understanding of music and technology. In the older grades students will compose and perform original pieces as their year end project.

The guitar was created for enjoyment, to ease loneliness and as a courting instrument. Today every child dreams of being a rock star. This class offers old and new styles of music through the playing of traditional and electric guitars. An important function of music is its use as a form of expression and social communication. Performing with the guitar has its own special satisfactions and rewards.

Ukulele fever may again be infiltrating the American culture. To date over nine million Ukuleles have been sold. This unique cheerful instrument is a wonderful introduction to our strings program. Performing music with this four stringed instrument helps students to become familiar with the string family and to begin an expressive musical experience and is a great way to start in the early grades!

 Keyboard skills are a great way to teach discipline, rhythm, focus, dexterity, musicianship, math, physics, and song structure in a group setting. Our Teaching Artists can create a program for any age group with a live performance as one of the goals.

We are now offering a Strings program for all age groups. Utilizing violins, violas, cellos, and basses in all sizes allows us the flexibility to create an ensemble that truly is representative of the entire student body. As with the School Band, discipline, respect, responsibility, and teamwork lead to a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.

The Recorder is a precursor to the woodwinds. Learning fingering creates dexterity, learning to read music teaches focus and discipline. Playing and performing songs creates a level of self-confidence second to none! Our program also looks at the different styles of music that are played with a recorder from Baroque to World Music. Originally designed for the younger students, we have found students in all grades to be enthusiastic players, and we have found certain pieces in the repertoire to be quite challenging!

As part of our ongoing Staff Development Program, we feel it is imperative that Teachers have a basic facility on the keyboard. This will not only help in sustaining our programs but will also allow the Teachers to experiment with songs for their classes.