Music4Schools
CSMA’s award-wining program builds a musical foundation that will last a lifetime. Children develop the joy of making music with others and experience the thrill of live performance. Our programs teach singing, creative movement, instruments, music appreciation, and cultural understanding of music and its origins.
About the Program
CSMA’s professional music teachers guide and encourage learning and creative expression through sequential lessons that build musical skills and appreciation. Many programs coordinate with students’ classroom studies to become an integral, enriching part of every child’s education.
All CSMA music lessons meet the CA State Standards for Music. To address the needs of diverse schools and students, CSMA offers a variety of grade-appropriate programs.
General Music Program uses vocal instruction as the basis for developing all aspects of musicality: in-tune singing, movement, creating and reading music, and understanding and performing elements of melody, rhythm, and form.
Music from World Cultures/Music in Action lecture/concert series instills music appreciation with lessons that include history, geography, and customs, culminating with interactive concerts by professional musicians and dancers. The series is a cost-effective addition or stand-alone opportunity to expose students to world cultures and music. Delivered as a series of 2-4 stand-alone music units per school year, past units have featured: music of Europe 1600-1800, Southeast Asia and Australia, China and Japan, Africa, India and the Middle East, folk music of Eastern Europe, and Latin American music. Concerts are often a highlight for the entire school. Contact CSMA for information about specific units currently being offered.
Recorder Instruction teaches students to play in an ensemble setting, strengthens music skills, and prepares students to enter band or strings programs.
Chorus cultivates proper vocal production, posture, breathing, and articulation as students make music together and explore different styles.
Instrumental Music provides band and strings classes that teach students to play an instrument and participate in a performing ensemble.
In addition to developing individual creativity, skills learned through music education improve development in other subjects, build self-esteem, and develop cultural curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.
What’s Included
As your music education provider, CSMA provides:
Sequential, skills-building and age-appropriate music education taught by professional music instructors
Program administration, including hiring, training, and teacher scheduling
Partnerships with schools on scheduling and evaluation
Student supplies
School concerts
Special musical performance opportunities and honors programs
Summer Honor Programs
These music programs provide students who have demonstrated particular talent and interest in their 5th grade beginning band or strings class with the opportunity to rehearse and perform together. Both summer honor bands select students from elementary schools where CSMA currently teaches band and strings. Based on the availability of financial aid funding, CSMA strives to provide scholarship support for Honors Program participants.
