P6785 Music Education

Music education is a part of the total educational program and should be scheduled cooperatively by principals, the Executive Coordinator of Fine Arts and music teachers. Vocal or general music is a required part of the curriculum in grades K-5. Vocal and Instrumental music are provided on an elective basis in grades 6-12 in each school. 

Administrative Implemental Procedures: 

1. Special physical facilities and equipment for the music program shall be made available in each school building. 

2. The Fine Arts Department provides consultative services, organization, and coordination of the music program. 

3. The Fine Arts Department shall maintain a library of music materials for use by district music teachers. 

   1. Lost or damaged items shall be replaced and charged to the music budget of the school where last in use.  

   2. Teachers shall be responsible for items checked out by their student teachers. 

4. Organization and coordination of citywide festivals and concerts are the responsibility of the Fine Arts Department. 

5. The Goals and Objectives for Music Education as well as the National Association for Music Education and district music program standards serve as the primary curriculum in music education. 

6. Classroom teachers will not prohibit attendance by students at regularly scheduled instrumental or vocal music classes as a means of punishment for academic reasons, or due to an inconvenience in the classroom schedule, without consultation with the instrumental/vocal music teacher and approval of the building principal. 

Vocal Music 

7. Elementary general music classes shall be scheduled for 45 minutes a day, two times a week.  On occasions, by mutual consent of the building principal and Executive Coordinator of Fine Arts, slight alterations in the daily time schedule may be made as long as the total instruction time is 90 minutes per week. 

8. Elementary vocal music classes shall not be combined on a regular basis to provide planning time for the music teacher or special group rehearsal time. 

Instrumental Music 

9. Instrumental music teachers throughout the district will work cooperatively to assure proper instrumentation at all levels. 

10. Beginning instrumental music classes (strings and band) will be organized in the sixth grade.  

11. Students in middle school sixth grade beginning band and beginning strings will participate in like-instrument classes that meet daily. 

12. Beginning instrumental class size should be at a level that facilitates instruction and utilizes staff allocation in an equitable manner. Guidelines for maximum beginning instrumental music student-teacher ratios are as follows: 

    1. Beginning band (like-instrument classes): maximum of 25-1 

13. Students may be encouraged, but not required, to study privately.  

14. Students will be promoted to advanced classes, bands, or orchestras as their progress permits and scheduling is feasible, as determined by their teacher. 

General Music (Secondary) 

15. General music classes will be geared to the nonperforming student. Classes may be organized in special areas such as guitar, recorder, or keyboard, which should augment daily instruction in the development of singing and listening skills. 

Administrative Responsibility: Learning Services  

Latest Revision Date: November 2012 

Previous Revision Date: April 2005 P6785 

Updated administratively for alignment purposes: March 2021 

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