Public School Partnerships
For more than a decade, Turtle Bay Music School has been providing vital music education classes to nearly 1,400 New York City Public School students and their families in six public Schools. We pride ourselves on working closely with each partner school to develop programs tailored to the needs of the School. Our partner schools also participate actively in the life of Turtle Bay Music School, attending free concerts and family programs.
For more information on our public school programming, please contact Grace K. Chandarlapaty grace@tbms.org or call (212) 753-8811, ext. 23.
P.S. 59, P.S. 154, and P.S. 361 Turtle Bay Music School's Early Childhood Tuneful/Orff Music Program provides 30 weeks (nearly an entire school year) of weekly music classes to public school students in grades Pre-K through 4. Based on an innovative model created by composer Carl Orff, the approach introduces children to the elements of music in a supportive, non-competitive environment. The flexibility of Orff allows any musical acitivity to be linked to cultural studies, social themes and school curriculums. Using games, songs, movement and dance, children begin to expand and significantly develop their natural musical and linguistic abilities. In a typical Orff lesson, children fully explore and internalize each musical concept. Children learn first through movement and imitation, followed by musical exploration with their voice as well as pitched and non-pitched Orff percussion instruments. Next, individual creation and improvisation is encouraged, and finally note reading, hand sign and the musical staff are used. After participating in Orff classes, young students are well prepared to begin more specific and in-depth instrumental and ensemble instruction. These programs are also supplemented by family workshops with parents and families teaching parents to incorporate Orff into the home environment.
Strings at P.S. 116 n Fall 2007, Turtle Bay Music School began a new partnership with P.S. 116 in Murray Hill. By working closely with P.S. 116's parent committee, we began after-school classes in September 2007. Six music teachers currently providie 55 students in grades K through 5 with in-depth musical instruction in violin, viola and cello. This vital after-school program school provides lessons for students five days a week. Parents and guardians of each student volunteer one hour weekly to assist in monitoring classrooms, supervising students, and organizing special events. Additionally, P.S. 116 students have three performance opportunities throughout the year held at Turtle Bay Music School.
For information on our P.S. 116 partnership, please contact Karin Carleton (karin@tbms.org) or Jackie Pinsky (jackie@tbms.org) for more information.
P.S./I.S. 217 TBMS is proud to partner with P.S. 217 in Roosevelt Island to begin our third year of programming with students in grades 3 through 7. This program is a 12-week residency on the music, dance and culture of Colombia. Small group classes are offered in-school to 3rd grade students and an after school session will be held for students in grades 5 through 7. The program kicks off with 2 all-school performances presented by Pablo Mayor and Folklore Urbano, a 10-piece Colombian band. These concerts serve the entire student population, parents and teachers. The program conclues with two special culminating performances featuring students performing alongside the band.
P.S. 6 TBMS embarked upon a new music partnership with P.S. 6 on the Upper East Side. In January 2008, we began a 10-week residencies in grades 2 through 5 as part of the Lunch Club program. Worshops focused on the various Afro-Brazilian Percussion styles. Classes placed an emphasis on the history and geography behind the music, as well as introduced students to the elements of listening and improvisation.
THANK YOU!
We are deeply grateful to the ASCAP Foundation, The Bay and Paul Foundations, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York Times Company Foundation and our many individual donors for their continuing support of these programs.