Elementary Band & Orchestra

After the 2024-25 school year, we are discontinuing the before school, enrichment model for elementary band and orchestra, and will transition to ensuring all 4th and 5th grade students engage in aligned, high-quality learning in their music classrooms that directly prepares them for success in secondary music.

Over the past three years, we have engaged in a thorough review process to evaluate the program and to create a plan to provide high quality instruction to all students, in support of our elementary and secondary music programs. As part of this process, we surveyed parents and community members to gather insights into the benefits, challenges, and areas for improvement. The results of the surveys aligned with our internal evaluation of the issues of the program as well as our priorities for supporting music. Updates were provided to the community through direct messaging and posted on our website several times, including the increasing challenges we’ve had in running the program this year. These updates included:

• Overview of challenges and work to address them
• Results of community survey in 2023
• Results of community survey in 2024
• Updates on the impacts of the increasing logistical challenges of the program

A work group of elementary music teachers has continued to develop and pilot new units in 4^th and 5^th grade music classes to enhance the music curriculum and ensure it supports foundational skills in instrumental music to prepare students for middle and high school programs.  Secondary music leads (middle school and high music school teachers) continue to work as consult and collaborators in this process.  Aspects of the plan moving forward include:

• Providing opportunities for secondary teachers and their students to engage with elementary teachers and students through things like field trips, concerts, etc.
• Providing professional learning for teachers to support shift.
• Inventorying all classrooms for instrument availability for the new units and committing significant funds to ensuring all teachers and students have the resources they will need. 
• Planning for beginning band and orchestra classes in middle schools to have access to support from music tutors, depending on size/need of the class. 
• Continuing collaboration between elementary and secondary music teachers to strengthen the music program.

Additional benefits to this shift include:

• Reducing and/or eliminating many of the logistical barriers in the before school program, ensuring participation is not dependent on transportation, family schedules, or instrument availability.
• Clearer alignment of music instruction with core values and standards and resources to support diverse learning experiences.
• Opportunities for teachers to collaborate and implement innovative teaching practices in music education.
• Reduced strain on budget, transportation, and staffing resources.
• Enhanced continuity from elementary to secondary music programs, ensuring students are well-prepared for advanced learning opportunities.
• Broader engagement in music education, strengthening enrollment and participation in middle and high school band and orchestra programs.
• A model that reflects the district’s commitment to equity and excellence in all subject areas.

The transition from a before-school band and orchestra program to an integrated in-school music model is a critical step toward ensuring equitable access to music education for all students. Our district is committed to ensuring this change strengthens our secondary music classrooms and is committed significant resources towards that goal, including providing instruments, professional learning, opportunities for musical experiences, and additional support to students, teachers, and schools. 

With this shift, all students will have access to high-quality music education that directly aligns with the skills, experiences, and mindsets needed for smooth entry into secondary music programs.  Our goal is to foster a lifelong appreciation of music and high interest and readiness for middle and high school music programs.

Below is a recording of the community information night held on January 30:

Moving forward, we will continue to engage with parents, teachers, and students to implement this important change for the benefit of our students and the broader music community.  For additional information or questions, feel free to contact us at elmusic@lwsd.org.

Question submission form

 

Updated January 31, 2025.

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Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Lake Washington School District’s Elementary Band and Orchestra Program. 

Participation in the Elementary Band and Orchestra Program is open to all fourth and fifth graders in the Lake Washington School District. 

For the 2023-24 school year, we plan to offer the following programs:

• Beginning Band for fourth and fifth grade band students who have no previous experience playing their chosen instrument.
• Beginning Strings for fourth and fifth grade orchestra students who have no previous experience playing their chosen instrument.
• Experienced Band for fourth and fifth grade band students who are experienced playing their chosen instrument.
• Experienced Strings for fourth and fifth grade orchestra students who are experienced playing their chosen instrument.

LWSD music program overview and mission statement

Please note that families are responsible for transportation to the band or orchestra site school. Bus transportation will be provided from the elementary band or orchestra site school to the elementary school students attend. 

Elementary band and orchestra is not held on non-school days, including late starts or emergency closures.

There is no fee to participate in LWSD’s elementary band or orchestra, however students will need to provide their own instrument. The main cost will be renting an instrument.
 
For families where cost might be a barrier to participation, program sites have a limited amount of instruments available for rent. Families that qualify for free/reduced lunch are given first priority. Please contact the band or orchestra coordinator at your student’s assigned site if you have any questions regarding instrument rentals.

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