With the current budget crisis, many crucial programs at San Carlos elementary and middle schools are on the chopping block. Without the continued support of the San Carlos Educational Foundation, SCEF, programs such as music, PE, science, library and technology might no longer exist. SCEF is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that raises funds to bridge the gap between district needs and state funding.
“Without donations to the SCEF, music would have been cut from the schools of San Carlos six years ago,” says Joe Murphy, Band Director at Tierra Linda Middle School. “More than 50 percent of the student body is enrolled in band alone. Combine that with orchestra and music is a daily part of close to 70 percent of the students lives at Tierra Linda.”
The San Carlos elementary and middle school music program provides students with a well-rounded education in music. Students not only learn about music theory and its history, but they also learn to play an instrument and have the opportunity to perform in a concert band, an orchestra or a choir. Many middle school students go on to join ensembles outside of school such as Peninsula Youth Orchestra and Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble.
“Music changes kids’ lives,” says Kristin Kunzelman, Central Middle School Band Director. “Parents tell me how much their students enjoy band and that it has filtered into their student’s success in other academic areas. A former student was accepted to School of the Arts in San Francisco. Another student regularly composes music at home and continues to impress me every trimester with new compositions.”
Students who study music score higher on SATs and are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college, experts say.
“I believe that music is one of the essential elements in a student’s education,” Joe says. “The amount of brain activity required to play in a music program is tremendous. In a musical classroom setting, students are prepared to work as a group, think independently, think critically and think analytically.”
Music can also have a dramatic effect on students.
“One of my students was having a difficult time making friends,” Joe says. “I was also told that he needed complete organization and structure in the classroom in order to succeed. After working with this student, I found he was an incredible musician. He has become one of the best musicians in band. He has not only grown as a student in his ability to adapt to a varied classroom environment, but I see him making friends in class. Band has really done wonders for this kid.”
What Parents Say
Jane Scolieri, a parent of a former Central Middle School student, says the music program made a crucial difference in her child’s life.“I think the wonderful thing about the Central Middle School’s music program was that it provided a consistency to my son’s musical education, nicely balanced with fun and belonging to a group,” Jane says. “I think it was a huge contribution to his happiness in middle school.”
Music Program Benefit Teachers
Teachers say the music program is a big help to them as well.
“Music for Minors brings music to the kids in a way I’m unable to,” says Joan Schlinkert, K/1 educator at Charter Learning Center. “These programs help round our kids as human beings with many interests. They introduce the idea in action that there are many ways to be ‘smart.’ It helps our kids see that we are a group, that they aren’t in this world alone and that there is fun to be had in learning about a variety of interesting things.”
Help keep quality programs at San Carlos schools by making a contribution today. If you have questions, please contact your SCEF school representative. Thank you for your support!
TOWN – 716 Laurel Street, San Carlos/650-595-3003
