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A major Arizona Musicfest goal is to bring great classical music into the lives of as many school children as possible. In 2003, Arizona Musicfest began a daily classical music listening program in the elementary schools of the Cave Creek Unified School District where some 900 elementary school students listened to classical music for 5 to 10 minutes every school day. Thanks to Arizona Musicfest, teachers received copies of the Brummitt-Taylor Classical Music Listening Program, which included a simple manual and CDs. Teachers also received CD players and teacher training. The pilot program was a great success.
How does the BT Music Program work?
At the beginning of the week, teachers play a randomly selected piece of music from the repertoire, read a paragraph about it, share a bit about the composer, and then play the CD. Teachers play the piece daily and with each playing, provide more background about the work and instruments. Thus, students become more familiar with a piece of music, as well as learn about the life and times of the great composers. Equally important: music became part of the daily academic program.
Surveys let us know what the program provides makes a difference. Teachers report that students not only enjoyed the music, they also show improved behavior, were better focused and settled down more quickly after listening. Many teachers indicate that children request the music during journal writing, math, and at other times of the day.
Success leads to more success
Due to the success of the first pilot program word spread, and in the 2004-2005 school year, as many as 2000 children listened to classical music in the Cave Creek Unified School District. In addition, in early 2005, a pilot program at North Ranch School in the Paradise Valley School District was initiated. Twenty classrooms of students received the opportunity to listen to classical music written by some of the greatest composers of all time. In this partnership, the district provided all the CD players for the classroom teachers, and Musicfest gave them the CDs and manuals.
In 2005-2006, Arizona Musicfest placed the Brummitt-Taylor materials at Pinnacle Peak School, also in the Paradise Valley School district. Early results report a positive experience for most teachers and students. Arizona Musicfest also provided the program to the entire general classroom teacher population at the CCUSD’s newest school, Horseshoe Trails, where the program is getting superlative reviews.
Presently, almost 4,000 children are now listening to the Brummitt-Taylor Classical Music Program in their schools.
Expansion to other school districts
The newest addition to Arizona Musicfest’s partnering with schools and the Brummitt-Taylor program took place in school year 2006-07 when Copper Ridge School in Scottsdale began a pilot program with 18 of their elementary classroom teachers.
Other Paradise Valley schools have also shown interest in bringing the program to their campuses. Arizona Musicfest looks forward to helping provide this great vehicle for enrichment to these schools at some time in the future.
If you’re interested in working with kids and music, just call the Ariziona Musicfest office at 480.488.0806 and we’ll get you started!
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