Elementary Music, Art & Physical Education

Welcome to the Elementary Music, Art, and Physical Education Department

 

 

 

Loaned Instrument Return Schedule 2024 LINK

            

FCUSD Elementary Music Introduction Video
What does Secondary Music look like?
The benefits of Music Education
Using Music During Instruction to Support Cognition An article by Judy Willis ~ Edutopia  

Welcome to Elementary Music, Art & PE! 

Elementary Music: We are excited to provide music instruction to all 22 of our elementary schools. We offer student course choice for music for all 4th and 5th grade students.

5th grade students may choose from Choir/General Music, Band or Strings for the entire school year. 4th grade students may choose from General Music or Strings. For the first 4 weeks of school, all students will learn about and engage in music theory, vocal music, percussion, instrument families, genre, note value and recognition, and so much more. This will prepare them for when they begin instruction on their instrument of choice. 

In addition to our theory books, All for Strings, Excellence in Band and Be a Recorder Star, we are using an online platform called Quaver Music, which is designed for elementary students. All of our music lessons are based on the California State Standards. These are great resources for students, families and teachers to learn and enjoy music!

This year, we introduced a new online reservation and contract program for string and band instruments. We ask that parents make a donation of $40. for the cleaning, upkeep and repair of instruments.  Instruments are delivered directly to local schools, so parents don't have to come to the District Office to borrow them. (Details about our program can be found at the bottom of this webpage.)

VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) Summer Enrichment Camp 2024: We are making plans now for our VAPA Summer camp. The camp runs from 6/3/24-6/14/24 and will be held at Gold Ridge Elementary School and a second location at Rancho Cordova Elementary School. Our camp runs in the morning, from around 8:15 am to 11:45 am. We ask for a $400. donation per student for the 2 week camp. If a family needs financial support, a request for a scholarship can be made on the registration form. The registration opens electronically in the spring of 2024 and is open to all currently enrolled FCUSD 4th and 5th grade students. Spaces are limited. All families with current 4th and 5th grade students have been sent an email with detailed information. We ask that students make arrangements to attend all 10 days of the camp. Attendance is extremely important and vital to the success of the student's experience.

Spring Chorale 2025! We are thrilled to have students performing in person again!

Musical Director, Laurette Gaberman

Date/Time: TBD Rehearsal at Jill Solberg Theater, Folsom High School 

Date/Time: TBD Parent Performances at located at: Jill Solberg Theater, Folsom High School

We encourage vocal groups from all 22 of our elementary schools to participate.

Elementary PE: We are excited about the 24-25 school year! You may see a different PE teacher at your school this year as there have been a few changes to our teaching assignments. All of our PE teachers are highly qualified and excited to be working with our students. 

The PE schedule for your child is shared at the beginning of the school year. Please remember to have your child wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear on PE days. 

For more information about PE, please click on the tab to the left labeled 'Elementary PE'.

Elementary Music Program Information 24-25:

Music is part of the curriculum for all 4th & 5th grade students. 

• 4th Grade Students:
  • General Music (Recorder, singing, movement) This option is recommended for students who plan to take band class in 5th grade or middle school.
  • Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)

• 5th Grade Students:
  • Choir/General Music This option is recommended for students who plan to take choir in middle school.
  • Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola, or Cello)
  • Beginning Band (Clarinet, Flute, Trombone, or Trumpet)

General Music classes: Your child will learn to play the recorder, sing, move and engage in a group performance. 

Instrument classes: Your child will learn to play an instrument, learn basic music theory and engage in a group performance. Instrument classes take commitment on the part of your child and family. Students are required to practice daily at home. We ask that your child commit to play the instrument for the entire course. Your child will need an instrument for this class. You can rent from a private music company or borrow from the school district. We also recommend a floor stand for practice at home. Books will be given out at the beginning of the class. 

Obtaining an Instrument:

• You may buy an instrument or may already own one. Please purchase your instrument from a reputable music store. We do not suggest that you purchase an instrument online or from a big box store. The quality of the instruments are sometimes not good and may not be repairable if damaged.  Please be sure it is one of the instruments listed above. We don't offer instruction in any instruments other than the ones listed above.
• You may rent an instrument from a private local music vendor. (See below.)
• You may borrow from the FCUSD Instrument Loaner program. We have a limited number of each instrument. We can not guarantee that your child will receive their first instrument choice.
• General Music recorders and all books are provided to all students in General Music classes.

Returning a District Loaned Instrument:

• Each elementary school will be given a date to return the instrument at the end of May. Families will receive instructions to return the instruments. Families will proceed to the loop on the Cordova Lane entrance to the center and wait for directions from staff. Instruments are to be returned to Cordova Lane Center, 2460 Cordova Lane, Rancho Cordova.

Here are some local private music stores for rentals:

Tim’s Music www.timsbis.com     916-925-9160

Kline Music   www.klinemusic.com  916-456-8742

The Nicholson Music Co.  www.nicholsonmusic.com  916-983-0763

Northridge Music Rentals

NorthridgeOnlineMusicRentals.com 

FCUSD Instrument Loaner Information:  

We will be introducing a new online reservation system for our loaned instruments. Instruments will be delivered directly to schools, so parents don't have to come to the district office to borrow. We ask families to return the loaned instrument to Cordova Lane Center at the end of the school year. More details will be provided to families directly. It is vital to keep your family email updated with the school district so important information and deadlines are not missed.  

The Music Department asks for a one-time, voluntary $40 donation for all district instruments loaned to students.  These donations are used to maintain and repair instruments as needed.   

Floor stands for home practice may be purchased for $15.00. Desktop stands for General Music classes may be purchased for $5.00 through our music teachers. Stands may be purchased at local music stores, online, etc.         

Welcome to the new school year! Our music information letter is coming Soon!

Please contact Lisa Vaca at lvaca@fcusd.org with any questions about the music program. Thank you!