Music program reps speak at breakfast forum
Last week at the Judges Breakfast in Clearlake, guest speaker Brenda Graveson from Konocti Unified School District's music program was joined by Lower Lake High School Vice Principal Katie Wiley and the two shared the importance of music education in public schools as well as ways that they combine music lessons with math and reading.
Graveson has been a music instructor for many years and in many states, joining KUSD in the last few years, teaching music at all of the schools in the district. Graveson said, “Last year, we did grades TK through second and I had a schedule that took me to every school every week… This year we added third and fourth grade. I'm still just one person so in order to make that work, I have been at one school each trimester.”
This change allows Graveson to see students more often in focused blocks, which has had a huge impact on the students' education. Wiley shared that many of these students come to school with no formal music education, and even more lack the basics of rhythm. Graveson uses techniques and approaches that incorporate rhythm and math, having students build their own scores with popsicle sticks and washers for notes. She shared the struggle many students have at first, but prides herself on the progress made in small amounts of time where students who thought they could not complete the task find themselves writing entire songs. “Music can reach kids that are super young or are maybe struggling in other areas,” she shared. Graveson noted the immersive environment of music education. She added, “We are creating musicians, even the ones who just pretend to play the instruments.”
Wiley shared some of the budgetary aspects of the arts and music programs, noting that the district is in year three of a 4-year grant that totals 1.4 million dollars. Wiley also discussed Proposition 28, which according to cde.ca.gov, is a Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. The measure required the state to establish a new, ongoing program supporting arts instruction in schools beginning in 2023—24. Alongside funding there are other hardships experienced in music education, especially now as the nation faces a dire teacher staff shortage. Wiley shared, “We know arts education is important for our kids, and we know our kids are struggling in reading and math. We have a responsibility to make sure our kids are able to read… how do we balance these two needs?” This is where arts integration comes in, bringing art and music into the math and reading lessons. By combining song and story, kids who couldn't make these connections prior are given alternative ways of learning the material at hand. It also provides adequate time for music and arts as teachers are under control of the clock, barely having time to fit in all of their lessons as it is.
KUSD will be participating in the upcoming Children's Festival on April 27 at Austin Park in Clearlake. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature a gallery of self portraits from all KUSD students in all grade levels. There will also be various vendors, family activities and a Ballet show.
The Judges Breakfast is held every Thursday at 7 a.m. inside the Masonic Lodge located at 7100 South Center Drive. Next week's guest speaker will be Brittany Segal from Shade Canyon School in Kelseyville.