Why We Teach Music at USCSD

Our passion for music was the guiding force in choosing to become music educators. We all had significant musical role models in our own educational experiences. We know that our participation in music ensembles

helped shape the people that we are today.

Much has been written about the intrinsic benefits of participation in a musical class or ensemble – leadership, collaboration, communication, teamwork, interpersonal skills, goal-setting as a contributing member of an ensemble, and creative self-expression – to name a few. Although not every child will become a professional musician, we know that these values and life lessons are vital to the development of the whole child.

Music plays a fundamental role in developing a child’s full potential. Music class is more than just singing songs or preparing for a performance. Students are developing skills such as visual tracking, decoding symbols, sequencing and pattern recognition through the four modes of learning – visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile. Our students are not merely learning about music; they are fully engaged and actively participating in the creation of music.

Written by Christine Hestwood (retired music teacher from Baker Elementary), Jeff Leonhardt (retired teacher from Streams Elementary), Paula Scandrol (elementary strings) and Kerry Strauch (retired teacher from Eisenhower Elementary), and adopted by the USC Performing Arts Department.