The Crosby ISD choir programs would like to fund a collaborative pianist to work at both the CHS and CMS campuses once a week in order to further assist the students and directors at rehearsals, concerts and competitions. By having an accompanist present weekly, the students will greatly benefit from an efficient and productive rehearsal process that will result in sophisticated concerts, excellent scores in the UIL competition, and a higher level of musical abilities for each student.
Currently there is only one choir teacher on each campus with approximately 350 students in the combined CMS & CHS Choir Program. Unfortunately, our schedules do not allow time for collaboration between campuses during school hours. By having a pianist work with both choir teachers, it will make for a more collaborative working process among the CMS and CHS Choir Programs. This will help build both programs along with establishing relationships between the CHS and CMS choir students. Statistics show that collaborating with an accompanist weekly, results in higher competition scores and develops the students musical learning ability at a higher level and rate. The Texas Music Educators Association states that “Texas All-State musicians have consistently scored on average 22% higher than the national average and about 26% higher than the Texas average on their SAT scores.” It is clear that music education is extremely important in the students' development and learning process, not only in music but other academic subjects and most importantly as a functioning human in society.
In order to continue building the Crosby ISD choir department, the Crosby ISD choir directors will seek out a well qualified collaborative pianist or accompanist to work at both the CHS and CMS campuses once a week in order to further assist the students and directors at rehearsals, concerts and competitions. By having an accompanist visit each campus weekly it will create more consistency thus helping build the confidence of each choir student. It will allow each director to hear each individual student allowing for more individualized help. Additionally, having the pianist play more frequently throughout the year will allow the choir students to hear and understand how the piano part of the music fits with his or her own voice part within the choir. The students will also gain a more thorough knowledge and understanding on how the piano functions within the choir process. This is far superior to having the accompanist play once prior to each concert. Lastly, by having the accompanist available throughout the year, this person could be utilized for several different functions including: weekly rehearsals, school concerts, competitions, workshops, and community functions. Having a consistent accompanist will help with actively monitoring the progression of each student’s musical ability. By allowing the directors to step away from the piano, they can then move into the “powerzone” among the students to better assess and plan strategies for enhanced learning. Additionally, having a person work with both choir teachers makes for more consistent and collaborative work. This plan will directly help support the district’s model of a high school graduate by developing well-rounded students, producing successful citizens, establishing effective communicators, fostering social/emotional learning, promoting problem solving skills, exploring different languages and cultures, and fostering team building and collaboration skills.
Currently there is only one choir teacher on each campus with approximately 350 students in the combined CMS & CHS Choir Program. Unfortunately, our schedules do not allow time for collaboration between campuses during school hours. By having a pianist work with both choir teachers, it will make for a more collaborative working process among the CMS and CHS Choir Programs. This will help build both programs along with establishing relationships between the CHS and CMS choir students. Statistics show that collaborating with an accompanist weekly, results in higher competition scores and develops the students musical learning ability at a higher level and rate. The Texas Music Educators Association states that “Texas All-State musicians have consistently scored on average 22% higher than the national average and about 26% higher than the Texas average on their SAT scores.” It is clear that music education is extremely important in the students' development and learning process, not only in music but other academic subjects and most importantly as a functioning human in society.
In order to continue building the Crosby ISD choir department, the Crosby ISD choir directors will seek out a well qualified collaborative pianist or accompanist to work at both the CHS and CMS campuses once a week in order to further assist the students and directors at rehearsals, concerts and competitions. By having an accompanist visit each campus weekly it will create more consistency thus helping build the confidence of each choir student. It will allow each director to hear each individual student allowing for more individualized help. Additionally, having the pianist play more frequently throughout the year will allow the choir students to hear and understand how the piano part of the music fits with his or her own voice part within the choir. The students will also gain a more thorough knowledge and understanding on how the piano functions within the choir process. This is far superior to having the accompanist play once prior to each concert. Lastly, by having the accompanist available throughout the year, this person could be utilized for several different functions including: weekly rehearsals, school concerts, competitions, workshops, and community functions. Having a consistent accompanist will help with actively monitoring the progression of each student’s musical ability. By allowing the directors to step away from the piano, they can then move into the “powerzone” among the students to better assess and plan strategies for enhanced learning. Additionally, having a person work with both choir teachers makes for more consistent and collaborative work. This plan will directly help support the district’s model of a high school graduate by developing well-rounded students, producing successful citizens, establishing effective communicators, fostering social/emotional learning, promoting problem solving skills, exploring different languages and cultures, and fostering team building and collaboration skills.
$5,000
Value:
priceless