Dear MCPASD Music Supporters,
Thank you for continuing to read, like, and share our emails & social media posts.
In this email, we have included some of the many fundamental reasons for District leaders to keep the 4th-grade orchestra. We’ve included why the 4th-grade orchestra is important for
Individual Students
Our School District
Our Community
*** Reminder to attend the April 25 meeting! ***
We want to pack the room with MCPASD music supporters and voters who want the Board to hear our voices! Speakers are welcomed and appreciated; however, your presence will also be your show of support!
***How losing 4th-grade orchestra affects individual students***
By cutting this introduction to studying a stringed instrument in 4th-grade, fewer students will find their "place" in peer groups, educational opportunities & experiences, and their school community.
4th-grade orchestra requires no financial or extracurricular commitment. Cutting the orchestra removes an opportunity to learn something new with their peers "on the same page."
Many students from diverse backgrounds join the 4th-grade orchestra as it is an exciting curricular class to join with peers. In 5th grade, students have more options and activities, pulling them in different directions. It will be more challenging to engage all families, and some students will miss out on the opportunity to realize they enjoy music or that they see themselves as a musician.
***How losing 4th-grade orchestra affects the entire music community***
The skills and experiences 4th-graders have in the orchestra transfer and prepare all students for music in middle school and beyond. However, if students don't get this opportunity until 5th grade, they are suddenly behind a year in their learning in ALL ensembles. This will eventually trickle up to the high school level, where some of the incredible experiences hundreds of students get to have may no longer be possible.
Many students from diverse backgrounds join the 4th-grade orchestra as it is an exciting curricular class to join with peers. In 5th grade, students have more options and activities, pulling them in different directions. It will be more challenging to engage all families, and some students will miss out on the opportunity to realize they enjoy music or that they see themselves as a musician.
We could lose ~ 60% of the students in the high school orchestra & many others in the music curriculum. There are currently 810 MCPASD orchestra students — the second-highest student enrollment for a co-curricular activity.
***How does cutting 4th-grade orchestra affect the greater community?***
