MANHATTAN BEACH MUSIC
About Us
We are a Music Coalition of Manhattan Beach parents, community members and advocates who strongly support the current Music Program in MBUSD and want to see it continue to flourish and grow for current and future generations of students.
Mira Costa High School has a strong parent support infrastructure with well-established and effective Booster Groups. In addition, parent volunteers are active at all school sites and levels throughout the district. However, we feel that there is still an opportunity to enhance school district families/community communications to support high quality music education and curriculum growth.
This is particularly needed at the Elementary level and the subsequent transition to MBMS where the Music Program Pathways may not be fully understood and the benefits of continuing in the Music Program may not be that apparent.
In addition, it can be daunting to families whose students are just beginning their music journeys as to how to choose which instruments to play, whether to rent or buy and from whom and what additional instruction, if any, is necessary or preferred.
Finally, there are broader issues such as educational funding, curriculum development, bell schedules changes, facilities construction and upgrades that can all have a huge potential impact on the ability of the various Music Programs to maintain their current standards of excellence and to continue to provide access to as broad a range of students and abilities as possible at all levels.
Learn More
We will be sending regular newsletters and communications to those interested families and community members on upcoming events and issues that involve the District Music Program.
Please sign up below if you are interested.
What We Believe
PHILOSOPHY
- A strong music education is core and integral to strong child/teen development
- Music education encourages inclusiveness and cultural understanding
- Music ensures the social and emotional wellness & learning of students
- Music enhances cognitive development and has shown proven benefits for math and reading development
- Strengthens soft skills including critical listening, diligence, perseverance, self discipline, collaboration and teamwork
MISSION
- Create a strong positive music advocacy culture
- Values enormous benefits of music education for students’ academic and social development
- Recognizes economic benefits for school district through large music group
- Supports and celebrates a high quality and vigorous music program
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and a strong support network for music education
- Enhance communication with school PTAs, VAPA educators and organizations, school board and community
GOALS
- Push for Optimal Educational Environment
- Improve current facilities to enable effective teaching
- Ensure availability of quality and range of music instruments
- Support and champion retention of highest caliber music teachers and sufficient instructional/admin assistance
- Encourage parent and community provision of financial resources and support for frequent national and international performance opportunities
- Lobby for optimal changes in district budgets, MBEF/PTA budgets, elective offerings, and scheduling decisions to support a continuing high-quality music education
- Improve Student Access to Music Education
- Create availability of entry level classes and multiple access points for students to join the music program at all levels
- Ensure any scheduling and other district decisions do not unduly impede music offerings and learning opportunities at any school
- Advocate for scheduling/cultural adjustments necessary to ensure all students can successfully pursue music along with other key interests that require time commitment outside of regular school hours (e.g., sports, Model United Nations, etc.)
- Evaluate ability to broaden district music education to include other areas as appropriate - e.g., guitar, piano, middle school jazz ensembles, a capella
- Create Strong Music Families Network
- Launch a robust information hub re: curriculum offerings and available pathways from elementary through high school
- Facilitate information sharing re: district, local, and regional live concerts and student music programs and events, including VAPA (Visual And Performing Arts) opportunities
- Create forum for students and alumni community mentoring, music career guidance and general support amongst families
- Facilitate music marketplace/network - instruments, musical accessories, concert attire, music books, private instruction
- Support strong relationship amongst music/VAPA booster clubs to maximize success of common goals and values
- Drive Community Outreach / Spirit of Giving Back
- Youth outreach
- Connecting with seniors
- Other community performance opportunities
- Mentoring