Concord’s music program was recently featured in a story by our local NPR station, KUOW (94.9). Arts and Culture reporter Marcie Sillman visited Concord last Thursday to interview staff, students, and community members to research the positive effects that Creative Advantage has had in our community. The article features just a part of our arts programming: music.
Our school has made significant strides in the last few years. Our K-5 music program has grown tremendously since it was established three years ago. We now have ukulele classes, xylophone ensembles, field trips to play recorder with the Seattle symphony, song compositions and much more! We have joyous singing filling our school as students are reminded that their voice matters.
“Advocates say this kind of arts programming is one way to achieve racial equity outcomes in schools that have historically struggled to help kids of color succeed. For that reason, Concord is a model for what all Seattle public schools will offer students in the next decade or so.”
But our K-5 music program is not the only art opportunity that has been growing at Concord. Our instrumental music program has had higher enrollment than ever before. We now have an Advanced Strings course for 2nd year instrumental students. Classroom teachers are infusing music, art, theatre, and dance into their daily lessons. Student voice is a growing focus as a school! Teachers have established partnerships with organizations such as Jack Straw to compose songs with poetry and visit recording studios to record spoken word.
Our STEAM program is BOOMING! Students have access to a high-quality arts education under the direction of the wonderful Ms. Kate Ayers. Students are making art in the Lab and in the Maker Space. Not only that, students are learning about art and artists from many cultures, old and new, and learning to analyze and evaluate art. In Ms. Kate’s class, students are working in the makers’ space to create art using many different mediums. Students are truly able to direct their learning. (Visit Ms. Kate’s STEAM website!)
If you would like more information about the Creative Advantage, and how its funding/resources help to support our arts programming, please reach out to me or visit the Creative Advantage website.
We at Concord are so fortunate to have a thriving arts program. Thank you for your support. Let’s keep creating spaces for students to embrace their creative, resilient, expressive and capable selves.
Music with Ms. Staire 