Elementary Instrumental Instruction

Overview

The Worcester Public Schools offers weekly 40 minute small group instrumental lessons for winds and strings in most elementary schools throughout the district. Students may register for lessons through September 20. Students must supply their own instrument although a small number of school loans are available. 

The classes are taught by licensed instrumental teachers during the school day. The school year begins with demonstration assemblies or class visits and will be scheduled with the principal or designee. 

Lessons are offered in violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and saxophone. Other instrumental lessons are available based on student interest and teacher expertise and availability.

  • Burncoat Quadrant Schools offer lessons in all instruments. 

  • Schools in North, South and Doherty quadrants offer winds or strings lessons.

  • Violin, Viola, and Cello are offered starting in grade 3 or 4 depending on the school and all wind instrument lessons begin in grade 4.

Participating Schools

If you would like to participate, please email Lisa Leach.

District Supports

Lisa Leach is able to offer support by coaching visits, scheduling assistance and professional development opportunities. 

Please note: Liaisons do not formally evaluate.

District Responsibilities

  • Schedule staff across the district

  • Provide website, brochures and forms

  • Support instrumental teachers with classroom visits, first monthly meetings, and professional development opportunities.

  • Support school clerks in registering students

  • Host instrumental rental and meet your teacher  nights, (9/10 at Burncoat Middle School, 5:30-7:00 PM). View the Rental Night event listing for more information.

Provide and develop curriculum materials aligned with the 2019 Arts Curriculum  Frameworks Novice Solo and Ensemble Standards

School Based Administrator Responsibilities

  • Register for a school assembly using the Booking Page 

  • Schedule classes, 40 minutes weekly, no more than 8 students in a beginner class

  • Find a space for classes

  • The times of the classes may be chosen by the school within the teacher assignment window. 

    • For example, Mr. Pasierb is at your school from 8:15-11:15. Classes could be scheduled from:

    • 8:20-9:00

    • 9:05-9:45

    • 9:50-10:30 

    • 10:35-11:15

Please schedule the same instrument beginners together. Intermediate players may be scheduled more flexibly. 

Instrumental Teacher Responsibilities

  • Week 1: Schedule demonstration assemblies 

  • Weeks 2-3: Recruitment and Demos

    • Conduct demonstrations and distribute registration forms

    • Collect student registrations, upload to spreadsheet and share with liaison and principal or designated school staff members.

    • Work with school based staff to thoughtfully schedule lessons 

  • Week 4: Begin instrument lessons for all registered students the week of September 16, 2024. Final registration deadline is September 20.

    • Students who have registered but do not have an instrument may attend the lesson until October 13. Every effort will be made to assist students in sourcing an instrument. There are a limited number of WPS instruments available (View Loaner Agreement)

    • Set up Google Classrooms

    • Send home welcome letter (View Sample Letter)


  • Weeks 4-40: Instruction, Communications and Assessment

    • Include principals or designee on ALL communication with families and teachers. 

    • Progress Reports are sent home with the second quarter and fourth quarter report cards.

    • In consultation with school administration, prepare 2 annual virtual or live demonstrations of student growth.

Arts Standards Addressed

  • Organize and develop artistic ideas and work. Record decisions about accuracy of written music (e.g., adding reminder of key signature, or indicating beat subdivisions for a difficult rhythm). (N.M.Cr.02)

  • Refine and complete artistic work. Refine musical interpretations exploring different elements (e.g. dynamics and articulations). (N.M.Cr.03)

  • Select, analyze and interpret artistic work for presentation. Identify basic strategies musicians use to practice and employ them in readying a musical work for performance. (N.M.P.04)

  • Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation. Perform with accuracy and expression works from the vocal or instrumental literature with a level of difficulty of 2, on a scale of 1 to 6; or a comparable scale. (N.M.P.05)

  • Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Match a musical performance with expressed intent (e.g., wanting the audience to identify with an emotion). (N.M.P.06)

  • Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work. Develop criteria for a rubric for evaluating musical works (e.g., students create criteria for a performance that is juried by students). (N.M.R.09)