Central Kitsap School District Elementary Music Program
Supporting Your Child in Music
The decision to provide your child with the opportunity to participate in a meaningful musical experience is an investment in your child’s future. In encouraging your child to be involved in a music group, you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity, critical thinking, and achievement. Music gives us a means to develop aesthetic sensitivity which helps us to experience the richness and beauty of life in its highest form. Participation in a school music group can provide an opportunity for your child to express themselves in a positive and safe environment. Improvement of reading comprehension, motor proficiency, spatial awareness, and listening ability can be gained through active participation.
Numerous studies indicate that parental attitude, support, and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to successfully learn. Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent. With the right support from you, performing music can become a natural part of your child’s life.
For the child that is interested in playing an instrument and singing, both are available if they wish to do so. The choirs meet either before or after school and the band and orchestra meet during the day.
Student Instruments
The Central Kitsap School District provides instruments to students on a very limited basis and those instruments typically consist of the larger instruments such as tuba, baritone horn, baritone saxophone, cello, etc. Availability of these instruments (and possibly other instruments) depends on each elementary school’s inventory. For more information about the availability of particular instruments please contact your child’s specific elementary school band or orchestra teacher.
The CK School District does not rent instruments to students but there are numerous vendors that offer different options based upon your needs. For the 2005-2006 school year the CK District Music Program has awarded the Rental Contract through a bid process to the Ted Brown Music Company.
Band
All CK District Elementary Schools offer a band program and students can begin playing in the school band at the start of their 5th grade year. At the beginning of the school year your child will have the opportunity to explore and play various band instruments. Qualified music teachers will assist them through this process. Band instruments which they can play include: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone horn, tuba and percussion instruments (drums and mallets). Elementary Band meets each day for 30 minutes during the school day. Typically there are three to four concerts during the school year.
Choir
All CK District Elementary Schools offer a choir program that is an extra-curricular activity and is open to students in the intermediate grade levels. The times that choir meets depends on the specific elementary school but usually this is two or three days a week for approximately 30-45 minutes each rehearsal and would be either before or after school. Typically there are three to four concerts during the school year.
Orchestra
Some of our district Elementary Schools offer an orchestra program. Students can begin playing in the school orchestra at the start of their 5th grade year. At the beginning of the school year your child will have the opportunity to explore and play various string instruments. Qualified music teachers will assist them through this process. Orchestra instruments which they can play include the violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Elementary Orchestra meets each day for 30 minutes during the school day during a pull-out period. Typically there are three to four concerts during the school year.