Seattle Schools Community Forum

From the West Seattle Blog: Our area’s most-renowned music educator has announced he’s leaving for a new career direction, in another school district. Multiple award winner Marcus Pimpleton has told the Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School communities about his departure; he’s staying with the summertime Seattle Public Schools -wide All-City Band program, but otherwise, he is moving into a school-administration role in the Bellevue district.

It's a highlight of the year!! Nova bands, including those formed in Nova Band Class, perform for all ages!  Nova Band Showcase and Benefit Sunday, June 10; 6:30pm at  the Vera Project ; Warren Ave/Republican Ave N (Seattle Center) All Ages!! $7.00 Featuring: El Mago Pink Pajamas The Specifics Robot Mermaids Wolves in the Walls & Street Logic! The Nova Project is a democratically run public alternative high school that has its philosophical roots in the arts and social and environmental justice. We strive to create a safe place for students of all races, genders, and sexual orientations. Classes are thematically and inquiry based and non-graded. The staff and students work very hard to help each other find our voices to express ourselves through a variety of mediums. And, we ROCK! The Nova Band Show is a benefit for The Nova Project’s band program. It is the only way that our music program can earn money to buy and repair our instruments and equipment. Most of ...

Lisa had asked this question at Open Thread Friday and I thought I'd put it out there for any ideas/comments. What sort of support exists at elementaries for the instrumental music program? At our school the new enrollment numbers have resulted in every room being turned into a classroom. We do still have a dedicated art room and gym, but they are in use all day long. Band/orchestra has been moved to the cafeteria. But MAP testing and kindergarten tours need the cafeteria, too. Except no one involved in the rescheduling of the rooms remembered that band existed, no one told the band instructor of the change. Luckily a parent figured out that this would take some juggling and got the custodian involved so the kids would have chairs and music stands out in the afterschool program's portable which was the only remaining option (I don't count the bathrooms or playground). We only have the band/orchestra instructor for about 2 hours once a week. That time is precious...