“Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.”
– Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Cooperate Communications, Xerox Corporation.
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Band
Choir
Mariachi
Elementary Music
Harlandale ISD choir classes provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills in vocal technique, music literacy, and listening, as well as self-discipline, team-building, and leadership. Students perform in a variety of musical styles within large and small ensembles. Performance opportunities include but are not limited to concerts, contests, festivals, and trips.
In HISD, choir is offered by our music teachers on each of our elementary music campuses. Choir instruction continues in each of our high schools. . They are involved in other activities such as athletics, dance, cheer leading, and foreign language, and maintain membership in many different campus organizations.
HISD also partners with the Children's Chorus of San San Antonio offering Project Sing: Harlandale - an after school choir for elementary and middle school students!
Band provides any interested student with opportunities for musical knowledge, musical fellowship and fun through participation in band. Band students participate in numerous performances, contests and trips. Preparation is by individual and group rehearsals all designed to help students attain General Goals and Objectives. Band also provides the following:
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Band begins in the sixth grade and continues through high school. If a student has not participated in the sixth grade but is interested in joining the band, check with the middle school director. Beginning band participation at the high school level is generally not available. Each high school band program also offers Color Guard. Color Guard is a performing ensemble that compliments the marching band production. During the 2nd Semester the Guard enters the Winter Guard season upon learning a choreographed production performed at various venues through that semester. |
The main objective of the HISD elementary music curriculum is to instill a real love of music as well as to encourage an appreciation for the arts while providing a safe and positive learning environment. Students will experience music through imitation, exploration, labeling, creation, and improvisation by singing, speaking, moving, and instrument playing. The combination of group performances and learning through both experience and technology serves an ultimate goal of creating within each child the joy that results from understanding and creating music.
Students in music classes at the elementary level are exposed to the basic elements of music including rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. A spiral approach is used in which students continue their study of each of the basic elements in more depth as each year progresses and from grade level to grade level.
Activities used in the classroom to teach the basic elements include speech pieces, singing, playing both pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments, and movement activities. Students are taught how to read simple rhythmic patterns and melodies in preparation for choral and band experiences in middle school and high school. In addition, students participate in a variety of listening activities to foster an appreciation for vocal and orchestral music by using guided listening maps and movement activities. Upper grade students participate in musical presentations, combining music, theater arts, and visual art in a large grade level production. This activity provides a synthesis of the Fine Arts curriculum areas and establishes performance traditions for each campus. The music department also works with all grade levels to reinforce subject areas being taught in the classroom whenever possible.
The Harlandale ISD Mariachi program is a districtwide program that offers mariachi instruction and performance opportunities to students beginning at 5th grade. Students in 5th grade can join our beginning violin classes at their home campus where they receive instruction from our Mariachi staff once per week. This year, we are offering after school Mariachi instruction at Harlandale HS on Wednesdays after school and at McCollum HS on Thursdays after school. High school students that are interested in joining these classes should email the district Mariachi Director, Josephine Garcia .
The HISD Mariachi performance group Los Aguilas de Oro is comprised of students from all over the district and rehearses weekly at Carroll Bell Elementary School. Students are selected for this group by the Mariachi Director and instructors.
In Harlandale ISD, an outstanding faculty of music teachers is available at every level to ensure every child develops their talents. Students are given the opportunity to develop an appreciation for music and foster their creative expression through many performance opportunities. The HISD music program offers our students an opportunity to educate their minds, stimulate their creativity, and provide them with excitement and self-discipline that will last a lifetime.