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M U S I C F O R E X C E L L E
N C E
 A leader in music
education, OEBS developed MUSE as a comprehensive instrumental music program
that currently serves 3,000 students in grades 3-12 at eighteen Oakland public
schools.
MUSE functions to complement the public school music
curriculum, by taking professional musicians of the Symphony into these schools
to work with music teachers and students in their instrumental music classes.
The program serves a student population that is primarily African
American, Asian and Latino in some of the city's most economically depressed
neighborhoods.
"The MUSE program is a lifeline
in difficult times. It's not just a token - it's keeping the music program
afloat in Oakland. It's the tipping point between success and
failure."                ~Ted Allen, former Instrumental
                 Director,
Skyline HS
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View video about the Symphony's MUSE education
programs. (Click on image or on this link). |
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF
MUSE
Instruct To provide the children of Oakland, in
grades 3-12, with a continuous and sequential instrumental music program that
will augment education programs by fostering cognitive development and
analytical skills, allow youth to experience the joy of artistic expression and
creation, and provide a sense of self and place in the community.
Inspire To provide role models for children of different
cultural backgrounds by bringing successful artists into the public schools to
work with low income children and youth, non-English speaking youth, and
children of non-English speaking parents.
Engage To provide a
creative outlet for the energy of youth that will provide these young people
with a foundation for positively viewing themselves as capable and contributing
members of our society.
" Our
Community is feeling connected to the Symphony They're seeing concerts and
hearing about the Symphony at dinner
tables."           ~ Randy
Watson, Manager of Music Program,
            Livermore Valley Unified School
Districe
MUSE COMPONENTS
Musician/Mentors in the Schools Approximately
32 weeks a year, 24 Symphony musicians visit 9 public schools in Oakland, three
hours each week, to work with a total of 1,125 students. Music Director Michael
Morgan and professional musicians of OEBS provide instruction, guidance and
mentoring. Education Coordinator Carl Stanley also instructs and directs the
program.
Specific curriculum is
determined in consultation with each of the music teachers and based on the
State of California Department of Education Visual and Performing Arts Content
Standards.
Private Music Instruction & After School Piano
Classes During the history of MUSE, many students have been identified,
who demonstrate particular promise and talent on their instrument, with a
desire to learn more in an accelerated format. Through these lessons, OEBS
musicians provide more personalized instruction in an effort to build the
skills of promising students who may eventually take advantage of the
aforementioned opportunities.
Music Clinics In addition to
small-group instruction, MUSE provides periodic "clinics" where students learn
special skills, such as instrument maintenance, simple repair, reed-making,
string tuning, etc. Beginning keyboard instruction, originally offered through
this component, is now offered through the Private Music Instruction and After
School Piano Classes Component. These sessions also afford time to develop
personal mentoring relationships with the Symphony musicians. Advanced students
learn to become instructors in the early clinics, and conduct the clinics later
on in each session.
Music Mixers Twice each school year,
students design and host a school mixer. While students determine the specifics
of the mixer, it is intended to be an informal, social and musical event where
students and musicians can play and talk about music. Students are given an
opportunity to organize community concerts where families and community members
can come to hear school ensembles perform.
Symphony in the Schools
(SITS) Residency Program Established as a program that would build on Music
Director Michael Morgan's School Visits (to schools with little or no music
programs), SITS is a residency program that takes Michael Morgan, participating
local artists and ensembles of 2 to 3 OEBS musicians into select Oakland public
schools for six 90-minute visits to each school during the academic year.
SITS introduces students to symphonic music and provides them with
hands-on music education. The program is designed to support schools with
existing instrumental and/or choral music programs, particularly for beginning
music students.
The residency is tailored to the specific needs of each
school's music program, and may include: demonstration of different instruments
and repertoire; hands-on instrumental instruction and instrument maintenance;
coaching of instrumental and/or vocal ensembles; and demonstrating the basics
of conducting.
Participating schools Allendale Elementary
Franklin Elementary Cox Elementary Manzanita Elementary Oakland
Senior High Roosevelt Middle School Skyline Senior High Sobrante
Park Elementary Stonehurst Elementary Bret Harte Middle Glenview Elementary Hoover Elementary
Horace Mann Elementary Kaiser Elementary Lazear Elementary
Lincoln Elementary Piedmont Avenue Elementary Westlake Middle
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This activity
is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the
National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
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