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Owatonna State of the Music Program

Owatonna State of the Music Program . July 8, 2014 Owatonna Public Library Music Boosters of Owatonna, presenter. Music Instruction 2009 - 2012. Music Lessons occurred once per week Elementary: Early Bird Ensembles for instrumental music occurred in grades 4 & 5 Jr. High: 7 period day

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Owatonna State of the Music Program

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  1. Owatonna State of the Music Program July 8, 2014 Owatonna Public Library Music Boosters of Owatonna, presenter

  2. Music Instruction 2009 - 2012 • Music Lessons occurred once per week • Elementary: Early Bird Ensembles for instrumental music occurred in grades 4 & 5 • Jr. High: 7 period day • All students were required to select a music class (choir/band/orchestra/general music) - All students took Spanish/Industrial Tech/Art and FACS

  3. Music 2012 - 2013 • Elementary band/orchestra students practiced for 2 months and performed at one mass concert at end of year • Jr. High Small Group orchestra ensemble ended • Instrumental teachers traveling to more schools than in the past; instruction time reduced due to travel time. • Lessons grew in size; instruction could not be customized

  4. 2013-14 Instrumental Teachers • 2 Band Teachers (those with experience, licensure in band instrument instruction) • 3 Orchestra Teachers (experience, licensure in orchestral instrument instruction)

  5. Music 2013 – 2014Elementary School Impact • No Instrumental Ensemble in Elementary Schools. No performance, no concert for band/orchestra students from grades 4 – 5. • Orchestra teachers were teaching elementary band student lessons. • 2 Band instructors/3 Orchestra instructors district-wide • Lessons remained larger in size than prior years

  6. Music Instruction 2013 – 2014Junior High Impact • Jr. High moved to 6 period day. • Choral music enrollment at Jr. High drops from 138 in prior year to 94 total. • Music enrollment at the Jr. High dropped 20% from 2012-13 to 2013-14 (from 304 to 246) • The long term impact is unclear • .6FTE in General Music lost at Jr. High

  7. Jr. High – 6 period dayWhat did it do? • This past year students were required to choose between orchestra/band/choir OR Spanish/Industrial Tech/Consumer Sciences • Difficult choice between good, worthy subjects. • In many cases, the music option lost

  8. 2013-14 ImpactHigh School Level • Orchestra teacher pulled away to teach elementary band and orchestra lessons • Reduced availability of orchestra teacher to provide lessons to OHS students • Generated growing concern that OHS music program will be diminished as a result of cuts affecting Elementary and Jr. High participation

  9. Long Term Impact on Owatonna Music program • Perception that Owatonna no longer strives for excellence in the Music Program. It is not a priority. • With enrollment in junior high music dropping, potentially fewer students will select music at OHS. • Significantly fewer students selected choral music at the Junior High—will impact OHS Choir enrollment in coming years. • Concern that enrollment in band and orchestra will be lower beginning at junior high • The “feeder program” is being undermined and consequences at the high school will be felt.

  10. Long Term • Owatonna’s reputation as one of the finest Music Programs in the State will suffer. • Participation number as well as quality of performance will be affected • Morale of teaching staff IS suffering. • Existing Music Staff will find other districts. (OHS Orchestra teacher has resigned recently). • Concern will lose quality music teachers currently in our district.

  11. Music education is an essential part of scholastic success Students in high quality music programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs. Regardless of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district.

  12. Other benefits of music education Those enrolled in music education demonstrate: • Higher attendance rates • Higher graduation rates • Fewer at risk behaviors • Higher levels of workplace skills • Critical thinking and problem solving • Collaboration • Creativity • Initiative and self-direction • Leadership and responsibility

  13. What do we need? • 1 Instrumental (band) teacher reinstated to district (teacher to elementary students) • Junior High Schedule…find a way to make music accessible to jr. high students to bolster enrollment and opportunity here.

  14. What can you do? • Contact your School Board member and/or Superintendent. • Write letters to each of them expressing your desire to reinstate one FTE to the instrumental music program • Request that they demonstrate support for the music program. • Seek ways to reinforce/change Jr. High schedule to make music accessible and do-able for students.

  15. Questions?

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