Early Childhood Music Partnerships (ages 6 weeks – 8 years)
Ascension School, Minneapolis, est. 1989- MacPhail offers a sequential music curriculum for the Ascension School students, grades K-8. All students in grades K-2 participate in a graduated sequence of early childhood arts classes that introduce them to basic musical concepts and prepare them for further musical study on a specific instrument. In 3rd grade, each student learns the basics of violin playing in the Violin for Children class.
Birch Lake Elementary, White Bear Lake, est. 2006- At Birch Lake Elementary, Kindergartners and first graders will be offered sequential music curricula. Kindergartners will experience the Musical Trolley curriculum that provides students with a musical foundation focused on building knowledge of musical concepts and instrument exploration through integrated arts activities. First graders will experience the Musical World curriculum. This curriculum builds upon previous knowledge gained through Musical Trolley through multicultural musical and integrated arts opportunities. For more information regarding the scope of MacPhail’s programming see the School and Music Therapy partnership descriptions.
Centennial Services Community Education, Circle Pines, est. 2003– MacPhail offers early childhood arts classes through the community education program in Circle Pines and the surrounding area. Families experience classes starting at 6 weeks of age and continue through 5 years.
Children’s Home Society, Golden Valley, est. 2003- Located in the General Mills corporate head quarters, the Children’s Home Society program (General Mills Infant Care Center) serves infants and their families. MacPhail’s early childhood arts program provides music exploration opportunities with infants and their caregivers, suggesting ways to incorporate music into their daily home experiences.
Children’s Home Society, Plymouth, est. 2006- Located in the Carlson Childcare Center (Carlson Companies), the Children’s Home Society program serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years and their families. MacPhail’s early childhood program provides music instruction to families and their children after childcare, with training in taking music home activities and other teacher training components.
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Minneapolis, est. 1996 - MacPhail is in its ninth year of partnership with Cherish the Children, a childcare center housed in the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. Cherish the Children primarily serves Native American children and single mothers. The program includes a sequential early childhood arts curriculum for children ages 2-5 years.
Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, est. 2005- In a unique partnership, MacPhail’s early childhood arts program and the naturalists at the Minnesota Zoo team together to make a connection between music and nature. Participants partake in musical camp experiences at the zoo featuring Musical Trolley and Musical World curriculum, and make associations with musical concepts and animals as they learn and explore through hands-on experiences with animals.
Project KIDS and Ready to Learn, Burnsville/Eagan/Savage, est. 2006 - MacPhail offers music instruction to the children ages 6 weeks to 5 years from the Project KIDS program and four locations of the Ready to Learn Preschool program. Through this partnership, MacPhail both provides a music program to enhance the learning of the children and provides training to the teachers in the integration of music into their learning environments through workshops and hands-on training.
Rockford Early Childhood Family Education, Rockford, est. 1999- MacPhail’s early childhood arts program provides music classes to children and their families at the Rockford early childhood family education building on a weekly basis. MacPhail has also provided early childhood music training to the teachers and staff of the Rockford school system and neighboring early childhood programs.
Seven Hills Classical Academy, Bloomington, est. 2007 – MacPhail offers a sequential music curricula for grades 1-5. A MacPhail faculty member provides music curricula to enhance the school’s core curriculum emphasis. Students may also participate in a before school choir grades K-5.
St. Anthony Early Childhood Family Education and Preschool, St. Anthony, est. 2002- MacPhail’s early childhood arts program offers early childhood music classes to the families of the community. In addition, musical experiences are brought to the preschool to enrich their program.
Urban Ventures, Minneapolis, est. 2008- MacPhail offers music instruction to the Early Learning Program at Urban Ventures. Preschoolers receive weekly classes focused on building a musical foundation
Wayzata Community Nursery School, Wayzata, est. 1995- MacPhail’s early childhood arts program provides music enrichment classes for the school’s after school program. Children ages 3-5 years experience Musical Make-Believe and Musical Trolley classes.
Wilder Child Development Center, St. Paul, est. 2004- Located in the Frogtown/East St. Paul neighborhood, Wilder Child Development Center prides itself on providing stellar early childhood learning opportunities to its children and families. The program emphasizes readiness skills, especially pre-literacy. In this unique partnership, MacPhail brings early childhood music experts to train the teachers and staff at Wilder to teach and deal with life stresses through music. Teachers and parents are involved in on-going training opportunities that emphasize how music can enhance children’s development and help them to learn.
YWCA, Minneapolis, est. 1994- MacPhail has been offering Musical Trolley classes for the Minneapolis downtown YWCA preschool program for ten years. Due to the convenience of our close proximity to the downtown YWCA, students in this program walk to MacPhail for their weekly music classes.
School and Community Service Organization Partnerships (grades K-12)
Ascension School, Minneapolis, est. 1989 – Continuing the excellence in music programming at Ascension School in grades K-3, MacPhail offers a string program to students in grades 4-8. After studying violin during grade three, students can elect to continue their string study on violin, viola, or cello. The string program consists of a group or partner lesson, a group musicianship class and an ensemble rehearsal. Instruments are provided for all of the students in the program. MacPhail continues to reach the students who graduate from Ascension School by providing lessons and access to instruments.
Ascension Academy, Minneapolis, est. 2004 – Located in the former Ascension Club building in north Minneapolis, Ascension Academy is a non-Catholic, public charter high school director by Dorwatha Woods, principal of Ascension School. The school offers a rigorous liberal arts education based on the Core Knowledge Curriculum for college bound students. In partnership with MacPhail Center for Music, Ascension Academy offers instrumental music in the form of small group lessons and ensemble on band instruments.
Birch Lake Elementary, White Bear Lake, est. 2006 – Modeled after the Whittier International Elementary School partnership, students in second and third grade will have the opportunity to begin small group piano lessons and in future years, will continue to develop piano skills as they reach grades four and five. During the first year of partnerships, students in grades 3-5 will work with a composer to learn the nuts and bolts of writing their own music. Please see the Early Childhood Arts and Music Therapy partnership descriptions for more information on the scope of the program.
City of Lakes Waldorf School, Minneapolis, est. 2002 –MacPhail has teamed up with the City of Lakes Waldorf School to provide group string lessons and ensembles for students in 3rd – 8th grade. Waldorf schools have a common mission which is to educate for excellent and lifelong learning by engaging pupils’ intellect as well as their hearts and souls. At City of Lakes Waldorf School, this means that a MacPhail faculty member, along with a teaching assistant, teaches beginning string students in third grade in small group lessons in preparation for rehearsal and performance with ensembles in grades 4-8.
Interdistrict Downtown School, Minneapolis, est. 1998 – Combining the resources of a community music school with the resources of a public school, the partnership between MacPhail and the Interdistrict Downtown School is a pioneer in music education. A MacPhail early childhood arts faculty member provides classroom music instruction to students in grades K-3 at the school. Students in the upper school, grades 9-12, receive coaching in small mixed instrument ensembles and perform music that was either written or arranged especially for them.
LeagueAires, est. 2006—In 1966, the Junior League of Minneapolis approved the formation of LeagueAires, a volunteer women's chorus comprised of active and sustainer JLM members, and non-League members of the community. In partnership with the Junior League of Minneapolis, MacPhail Center for Music provides a music director whose primary role involves repertoire planning and conducting weekly rehearsals in preparation for the LeagueAires annual touring season. Each year, LeagueAires performs at over forty different venues for audiences with a mission of reaching underserved populations such as children and adults with mental and developmental disabilities and the elderly. Special past presentations include performances in the Holidazzle Parade, at Orchestra Hall, and at the White House.
Meadow Woods Assisted Living, Bloomington, est. 2006 – In the first partnership of its kind for MacPhail, teaching artist from MacPhail promote life long learning with the residents at Meadow Woods Assisted Living. Twice per month, a MacPhail teaching artist either works with residents on creative movement and vocal techniques or provides a workshop for an occasion such as Irish fiddling for St. Patrick’s Day.
Minneapolis Jewish Day School, Minneapolis, est. 1998 – The MJDS program was designed to work in tandem with an existing music program. In this program, MacPhail teaching artists work with 4th – 6th grade students once a week in small group lessons and a small ensemble rehearsal on band instruments (woodwind, brass and percussion). This program complements the efforts of the MJDS music specialist who conducts band and teaches classroom music. Plans are being made to expand the program to the new MJDS middle school, set to begin in the fall of 2007.
New City School, Minneapolis, est. 2006 – Located in north east Minneapolis, New City School is a small, diverse, supportive community that actively engages students to build knowledge, ask meaningful questions, design creative solutions, open their minds, and become skilled, caring citizens in the world. The school has invited residency artists to provide both visual and musical experiences to its students since opening three years ago and in partnership with MacPhail, will offer weekly classroom music instruction to students in grades K-8.
Paideia Academy, Apple Valley, est. 2005 - The mission of Paideia Academy is to provide an academically rigorous, content-rich classical education that gives all young scholars the opportunity to shine in a culture that promotes accelerated academic achievement, fosters character development and personal growth, and values the importance of language, music and the arts. MacPhail Center for Music is excited to partner with Paideia in an innovative K-3 classroom music program that integrates MacPhail curriculum with the CORE Knowledge sequence. Students in grades four, five, and six choose a music elective of choir, band, or orchestra and participate in both small group lesson and larger group ensemble of woodwinds and brass, percussion, or strings.
Patrick Henry High School, Minneapolis, est. 1993 -MacPhail residencies help support different sections of the band, orchestra, and choir at PHHS. Past residencies have covered areas such as percussion, upper and lower strings, guitar, jazz ensemble, choir, piano, and composition. This program is funded in part by a generous grant from the MetLife Life Partners in Arts Education Program which is funded by the MetLife Foundation and administered by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
Southside Family Charter School, Minneapolis, est. 2003 - Southside Family School (SFS) is a K – 8 elementary alternative that educates students to become independently minded citizens who respect themselves and others. Through a curriculum that focuses on social justice, the SFS staff and instructors stress basic skills and encourage creative expression. Each student in grades K- 4 attends two classes of general music per week taught by a MacPhail teaching artist.
Wayzata WISHES Strings Program, est. 2006 - Following a tradition of excellence in string instrument education, the Wayzata Public Schools Community Education Services and MacPhail Center for Music are entering in to their first year of partnership. The Wayzata String Program will provide small group lessons to students in grades K-5 on violin, viola, or cello. The program will prepare students for orchestral study which begins in grade six.
Whittier International Elementary School, Minneapolis, est. 1998 – The Whittier piano & violin program currently serves 2nd – 5th grade piano students and 3rd – 5th grade violin students. Through a generous donation, Whittier has a keyboard lab onsite where beginning piano students take groups classes. In group violin classes at school, beginning violin students use instruments that Whittier has acquired through donations. When the students are in fourth and fifth grades, they come to MacPhail once a week for lessons, an ensemble or performance class, and musicianship. In addition to the piano and violin program, MacPhail provides an in-depth world music residency at Whittier for students in grades K – 2. This program is funded in part by a generous grant from the MetLife Life Partners in Arts Education Program which is funded by the MetLife Foundation and administered by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
Yinghua Academy, St. Paul, est. 2007, Yinghua Academy is a Minnesota public charter school offering high achieving academic instruction with a focus on Chinese language and culture. Yinghua offers full immersion in Mandarin Chinese for kindergarten and first grades meaning all academic subjects are taught in Chinese. Second and third grades are taught in English but have a significant amount of Mandarin Chinese language instruction. In the spring of the 2007-08 school year MacPhail Center for Music will provide a classroom music experience for students in grades K-4, instruction will be delivered in English. Yinghua students will gain musical readiness skills that coincide with general music concepts taught in MacPhail’s Early Childhood Music classes.
Clinics and Residencies
The MacPhail Clinic and Residency Program is designed as a resource for the school music educator. A clinic is typically a one time visit by an artist who works with a section of the school band, orchestra or choir. During a clinic, an artist will focus on a very specific topic related to performance. A residency is a series of at least five visits made by an artist and each residency day consists of four hours of student-teacher contact.
MacPhail offers residencies in five basic areas: early childhood arts; composition and improvisation; musical theatre; and instrument specific residencies that work with the band, orchestra or choir program. With an extensive planning process, each residency is designed to meet the needs of the individual school. During the past fifteen years, MacPhail artists have worked with thousands of students in over 200 Minnesota Schools
Music Therapy Partnerships (all ages)
Autism Society of Minnesota, est. 2004 – A board-certified music therapist from MacPhail co-designs and co-leads a five day camp which integrates music therapy, social interaction, sensory exploration, art, cooking, yoga and movement. Staff includes an Occupational Therapist and Autism Specialists with a camper to staff ratio of 1:2.
Birch Lake Elementary, White Bear Lake, est. 2006 – A board-certified music therapist from MacPhail provides musical opportunities for the children with special needs at Birch Lake with various neurological and behavior and/or physical disabilities. Goals include: improve social, cognitive, communicative, physical, emotional, and academic skills. Specific music therapy interventions and activities are created around monthly themes and goals that work in conjunction with the monthly themes and goals of the special education department at Birch Lake. Please see the Early Childhood Arts and School partnership descriptions for more information on the scope of the program.
Fraser Academy, Minneapolis, est. 2006 – Two board-certified music therapists deliver individual music therapy services to the students at Fraser Academy. Parents of students register individually for services. The students are first assessed and then an individualized program plan is designed and implemented for each student for the purpose of providing the most appropriate therapeutic environment.
Gillette Children’s Hospital, St. Paul, est. 2004 – Two board-certified music therapists from MacPhail provide individual, group and co-treat music therapy to the children at the hospital. The music therapists are considered a component of the inter-disciplinary team and develop appropriate goals/objectives and activities to address the children’s individual needs. Music therapists work with children with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and those going through comprehensive medical rehabilitation at the hospital. MacPhail music therapists are on sight eight hours each week providing individual therapy sessions. Goals for music therapy services include validation of emotions and feelings, increase self-esteem and self worth, opportunities for socialization, improved motor function, increased cognitive function and improved speech skills.
Groves Academy, St. Louis Park, est. 2004 – A music therapist from MacPhail provides adaptive music education for 2, one-hour classes/5 days a week to children with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivities disorders.
Opportunity Partners, Karlins Center, est. 2005 – A board-certified music therapist leads weekly music therapy groups. The groups are comprised of adults diagnosed with Developmental Cognitive Delay (DCD). Goals include increased skills in the following areas: socialization, communication, physical movement, music experimentation and emotional expression. Opportunity Partners is a non-profit organization providing work experience for adults with DCD.
Partnership Resources, Inc., Minneapolis and St. Louis Park, est. 2004 – A music therapist from MacPhail leads four weekly groups. MacPhail invites PRI participants to attend three recitals per year at MacPhail. Goals include providing opportunities for socialization, expression and musical experimentation and coordination. PRI is a non-profit organization committed to creating partnerships in the community through jobs and leisure tie activities for person with developmental disabilities.
Pathways to Community, est. 2006 – PTC is a group home for young adults with Developmental Cognitive Delay and/or Pervasive Developmental Disabilities. Residents attend one, 1-hour music therapy session per week at MacPhail Center for Music. The goals of the partnership are to foster community engagement and involvement, improve social, cognitive, communication and physical skills through the implementation of various music improvisation, movement to music, and neurologic music therapy techniques.
Ramsey International Fine Arts Center, Minneapolis, est. 2005 – Music therapy groups engage second grade students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in successful, meaningful and fun social exploration activities. The comprehensive program of basic skills is integrated with international and fine arts content. Goals for the group are to increase leadership, emotional expression, socialization, and literacy.
Ronald McDonald House, Minneapolis, est. 2004 – The Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis is the first in the nation to incorporate a music therapist into their daily routine. A board-certified music therapist from MacPhail provides weekly music opportunities for the children up to the age of nineteen, as well as their family members/siblings staying at the house. Goals for group music therapy services include sensorimotor/motor exploration; verbal and non-verbal expression of emotions’ validation of emotions and feelings; increased self esteem and self worth; ands social skill development.
The Whole Learning School, St. Louis Park, est. 2003 – A board-certified music therapist provides musical opportunities for socialization, leadership and emotional expression by integrating a variety of musical instruments, music history, song writing, and world music to students with a diagnosis of a cognitive or neurological based learning difficulty.
