Oracle School District – March 2015

Bringing back music for the 2015-2016 school year

Dennis Blauser

The Oracle School District is very excited to bring the music program back for the 2015-2016 school years. It has been two years since Oracle students have been able to experience the benefits that come with a quality music program. Music programs are not only invaluable to a student’s overall educational success, they also provide opportunities for students to perform where they often discover hidden talents that contribute to their personal growth and self-confidence. There is overwhelming proof that having music as part of the curriculum will benefit the Oracle School District students in ways that reach far beyond the music classroom. A comprehensive study conducted by the Education and the Arts Project Report (REAP)) showed that there are significant, reliable causal relationships between the systematic, formal study of music and gains in mathematics and in spatial-temporal relationships. Brain studies show the development of more extensive neural connections in musicians. How was the District able to bring the program back? Careful fiscal management, a progressive School Board and strong District wide community support of the recent budget override are the primary contributing factors that make it possible for the District to take this huge step forward. One obstacle to establishing a top notch music program has been not having a dedicated music classroom. A creative solution to this dilemma is the District’s decision to convert a long unused locker room into a first rate music classroom. The great thing about this renovation is that the new music room will actually be connected to the building where the students will perform.

Because the District has had a music program in the past, there are music teaching materials and instruments to help get the program started. Thanks to the support of a core of strong volunteers like the Mountain Vista Music Boosters, the sky is the limit for the new program. The District would very much like the program to eventually teach band instruments beginning in the fourth grade. To help make this dream a reality the morning SaddleBrooke Rotary Club is putting together a program that will help provide band instruments for the program.