Recorder Program: The Recorder is the precursor to the family of Woodwinds and Brass. We have designed this course as an introduction that provides the basic skills needed to play an instrument. Consider the use of the recorder for teaching reading, as preparation for the orchestral winds. 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 the Recorder, from Baroque to World Music. We have found students in all grades to be enthusiastic players, and we have found that certain pieces in the repertoire are quite challenging.
Recommended for Grades 5-7

School Band: 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 Inc. 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 includes auditioning students, assisting in the ordering musical instruments, and related materials (i.e.: reeds, strings, sheet music, manuscript paper, music stands, etc.)                                   
Recommended for Grades 5-7

Strings Program: We are now offering a strings program for all age groups. The first step in creating a strings ensemble is to acquire the skills needed to play the Violin. Utilizing violins, violas, cellos and basses in all sizes allows us the flexibility to create an ensemble that is truly representative of the entire student body. As with any musical discipline, respect, responsibility and teamwork lead to a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.  The viola, cello and bass are added the second year.
Recommended for Grades 5-7

Guitar Lab: 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.                    
Recommended for Grades 5-8

Keyboard, Hands On: The keyboard has strings, which are hit so that this is both a stringed instrument and a percussion instrument. This program highlights such musical skills as music reading, correct playing techniques, improvisation, and performance. Keyboard skills are a great way to teach discipline, rhythm, focus, dexterity, math, physics and song structure in a group setting.                                        
Recommended for Grades 5-8

Vocal Workshops and Choir: Singing is the most intimate way for children to make music and to express themselves through music. Their voice is their own personal instrument. Developing singing skills is important because singing provides a direct way to experience and learn about music. Singing is also a useful social skill. Equally important is the special bond that develops between the adult and the children as they share music together. Singing requires the coordination of several different sets of muscles and thought processes. The ability to sing songs takes time, experience and maturation.                           
Recommended for Grades 5-8

Musical Theater: Music has accompanied theater since the beginning of Western drama. In the twentieth century, adding popular music to theater resulted in the Broadway musicals. In musical theater, music is the key element. Music helps to communicate theme, mood, action, character and setting. Our emphasis in this program is showing students the How of using your voice effectively through quality, pitch, volume and cue. Students will also learn the special language of musical theater, characterization, blocking, and the rules of stage movement. 
Recommended for Grades 5-8

Mural Design: During this residency students will increase their visual awareness as they learn to identify subtle visual qualities in natural and constructed environment and artworks. This is an interdisciplinary learning unit in which students create a series of panels in conjunction with a theme. In many cases the sketches and drawings of the students produces new information upon which students can expand their knowledge. Lessons about innovative and traditional art reinforce the concept of art as a living heritage. Students will create art based on imagination, recall, observation and research. They will portray detail, depict action and express non-verbal messages.
Recommended for all grades depending on the size and theme of the piece.

Photography: Picture It! 144 Music and Arts Inc aims to point students in new directions and to promote better understanding of our environment. The students participating in this class will learn all the techniques from the taking of photographs to the making of photographs. This workshop will take the students through the basic understanding of the photographic process of light exposing an image on to film to the basic understanding of the parts of a camera and how these parts affect the pictures we take. Furthermore students will learn the fundamentals of developing and printing. There is nothing negative about this workshop. (A darkroom facility is necessary) Remember, “A Picture is Worth 1000 Words!”                                 
Recommended for grades 5-8. Must have a full lab in operation.

Making Connections

Social Studies through Music: In our global society music reflects sounds from many different cultures. Music has a history that has evolved through a blending of different styles. This program allows your students to make connections to other times, places and people. Music has always been an important part of the lives of all people and cultures. Our scope and sequence has been aligned to the Social Studies curriculum for grades 6, 7 and 8. We trace the history of music from the earliest medieval works to today’s composing and performing. Time lines are created and connections are reinforced. Students explore the diversity and creativity of musical traditions, they become musical explorers.
Recommended for grades 6-8

Music and Math: We have developed a concept and skills approach when working with 6, 7, and 8th grade math students. We will approach this program using the languages of both music and mathematics. We will link symbols, notations, formulas, patterns and computations to achieve solutions. We will trace the areas of musical subject matter appropriate for students in middle grades through improvisational activities and instrumental sound. In planning this link we realize the need to provide activities through which students learn to conceptualize and to think in the language of mathematics.
Recommended for grades 6-8

Literacy Through Drama: This residency will explore the use of drama techniques as motivation to improve and strengthen Language Arts skills. Students will experience literacy focused activities and be able to express, communicate and integrate that learning into successful application.
The program can be designed to align itself with any piece of the Language Arts curriculum and can be designed to be grade or skill specific. A theater professional will work with students and faculty through theater games, improvisations, story-telling, characterizations, writing and performing techniques.
Recommended for grades 6-8