Music
The MPS Music Education Program provides support services for all elementary and secondary schools. The primary focus of the various programs, including band, choral music, general music, harp and orchestra is to develop comprehensive musicianship.
The support and encouragement of administrators and the community have been instrumental in helping the music program evolve to a high level of excellence. The real benefactors are the young musicians who bring their talents and skills to their peers, teachers, parents and the entire community.
A special kind of learning takes place in music classes that impacts the intellectual and emotional development of our students. Ultimately, we want each student to become the best person possible. Music education offers a pathway to this educational destination. We truly believe that a grounding in the arts will help the children of Mesa grow wiser and become solid, productive citizens for life.
2009 All-State Music Festival of Honor
One hundred seventeen outstanding MPS music students performed at the 2009 All-State Music Festival of Honor in April at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Mesa students earned more than one-fourth of the entire All-State positions. Their achievements reflect the excellent instruction and rigorous music programs that Mesa Public Schools provides. MPS All-State students earned:
* 33% of the All-State Choir placements (based on 200 total members)
* 25% of the All-State Symphony Orchestra placements (based on 113 members)
* 19% of the All-State Band placements (based on 123 members)
Special Performances
Approximately 150 fifth graders participate each year in the MPS General Music Curriculum Festival. The students sing, play instruments and dance to musical selections derived from lessons included in the General Music Curriculum.
MPS music students (elementary through high school) participate in approximately two hundred performances for the community each year during the month of December.
The high school communities, in conjunction with their junior high and elementary feeder schools, hold joint performances. These concerts help promote continuity within the music programs.