Westwind Brass Band performs at Live Oak School

FALLBROOK — Fallbrook Music Society is working cooperatively with Fallbrook Union Elementary School District by initiating a new, developmental music program, “A Curriculum of Musical Experiences.” Fallbrook Music Society inaugurated this innovative program of musical performances in April for all fifth and sixth grade students from La Paloma, San Onofre, Mary Fay Pendleton and Live Oak schools with the internationally recognized Westwind Brass.

FALLBROOK — Fallbrook Music Society is working cooperatively with Fallbrook Union Elementary School District by initiating a new, developmental music program, “A Curriculum of Musical Experiences.” Fallbrook Music Society inaugurated this innovative program of musical performances in April for all fifth and sixth grade students from La Paloma, San Onofre, Mary Fay Pendleton and Live Oak schools with the internationally recognized Westwind Brass.

The group of five performers on trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba presented Music from the Americas for the fifth-graders and Music from Around the World for sixth-graders – music that integrates with students’ classroom studies of history, social studies and humanities.

“Music education is not only an important part of academic achievement,” remarked Janice Schultz, Superintendent of the Fallbrook Unified Elementary School District, “but it is central to developing a common cultural literacy. In an increasingly multicultural society, singing and sharing the same musical experiences creates a bond.”

Beginning in September, this curriculum-based music program will be initiated in grades K-6 to include performances for all 5,685 students in Fallbrook. Performers of woodwinds, strings, brass and percussion, and music from countries such as China, Mexico, Japan and India, will coincide with academic studies of these cultures.

“Bringing this education to children in their early years enriches their lives with an understanding not only of great music, but also of the diverse cultures in which we live,” said Brenda Montiel, president of Fallbrook Music Society.

This progressive music program augments Fallbrook school district’s music programs and provides students with an integrated, progressive knowledge of the instruments and the music literature of our world heritage. Each performance is given to only 150 students at a time in order to maximize learning and educational feedback. By the time students reach junior high, they will have heard 14 professional assemblies and will be ready to hear the full orchestra at an in-school concert twice a year during seventh through 12th grades.

Fallbrook Music Society, now celebrating its 30th anniversary year, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For information on upcoming concerts, please call (760) 723-4669.