Music

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~Berthold Auerbach

Instrumental Music Program

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year at Quail Run Elementary! My name is Bob Gage and I will be teaching beginning and advanced instrumental music to the 4th and 5th grade students this year. I'm originally from Northern California and have been teaching instrumental and choral music since graduating from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music in 1990. I taught Middle and Elementary School Band at Jefferson School district in Daly City California for ten years where my Concert and Jazz Bands received numerous Superior Ratings at Band Festivals. In 1993 my Middle School choir won a Bay Area wide competition which allowed 25 of my students to participate in the off Broadway production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco. I made the move to the Philippines in 2000 to lend my expertise to the music program at the International School Manila. There I was involved in both the Middle and High school programs which offered eight different performing groups to the nearly 300 students who were involved in the instrumental program. I am happy to be back home in Northern California and I'm looking forward to an outstanding year of music making at both Hidden Hills and Quail Run.

Instruction is offered on the Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Violin. Other band instruments will be considered on an individual basis such as the French Horn or Oboe if the student is prepared to take private lessons, as these are more difficult instruments. I would like to encourage a variety of instruments to make a balanced band.

Children who choose to participate in the program have music in 40 minute sessions twice a week. The beginning students are grouped into similar instruments and the 2nd year players are grouped together for at least one of their meetings during the week. Each student is responsible for renting/purchasing their own instrument and book. I recommend renting an instrument the first year to make sure it is the one you like the best.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at either Hidden Hills or Quail Run at rgage@srvusd.net.

Vocal/General Music Program

My name is Suzanne Thomas and I am privileged to teach vocal and general music to all students, kindergarten through fifth grade, at Quail Run Elementary. I have been a vocal music teacher for almost 20 years and am a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In addition, while living in Sacramento I was the Children's Program Director for Capitol Opera. I have an extensive background in musical theatre as well as opera but have concentrated the last ten years of my career to the methodology of teaching children to sing.

The weekly or bi-weekly thirty-minute lessons include learning age appropriate songs, playing rhythm instruments and basic music theory. Third grade students are also taught to play recorders, a flute-like wind instrument, as well as basic note and rhythm reading skills to prepare them to play other instruments if they choose.

Students perform in evening concerts for parents and family at least once per year. Please note the dates on the school calendar to make sure you and your family can attend. It is a night they all work very hard to present to you.

For those third, fourth and fifth grade students who love to sing, we have an after-school choir program. The beginning choir is a non-audition choir open to third, fourth and fifth grade students. The honor choir is open to fourth and fifth grade students who pass an audition test. Choir members are given additional performance opportunities throughout the year.

If you have any questions, please contact me at sjthomas@srvusd.net.

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