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.
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.
Children’s Home Society, Saint Paul, est. 2009- Located in the Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning, the Early Learning Center serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Hubbs Center and the Early Learning Center are both focused on literacy and lifelong learning. Through our partnership, the children attending the Center and their families receive hands-on music instruction to learn how to incorporate music in to their home lives. Teachers also receive training to incorporate music in their teaching of pre-literacy and other skills.
Children’s Home Society- Saint Paul College Early Learning Center, Saint Paul, est. 2009- Located in Saint Paul College, the Early Learning Center serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Through our partnership, the children attending the Center receive weekly hands-on music instruction. Teachers also receive training to incorporate music in their teaching of pre-literacy and other skills.
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.
Normandy Park Education Center, White Bear Lake and Hugo locations, est. 2009- The Normandy Park/White Bear Schools early education programs serves children ages 6 weeks to five years. The program provides early childhood education, early childhood family education, early childhood special education, and Head Start Services to the White Bear Lake and Hugo neighborhoods. MacPhail early childhood specialists provide music and movement activities, parent education, and family events, as well as teacher training opportunities to staff at both locations.
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.
Three Rivers Park District- Eastman Nature Center, Osseo and Silverwood Park est. 2008- MacPhail and Eastman Nature Center partner each summer to provide a summer camp: nature’s Music for ages 4-5 years. The unique partnership provides opportunities to experience music and nature with naturalist and music specialist. Silverwood Park in North East Minneapolis and MacPhail provide a music/nature class to expose children to the musical aspects of nature.
Way to Grow, Minneapolis, est. 2008 – Under MacPhail’s Learning with Music initiative, MacPhail provides early childhood music experts to train the teachers and staff at Way to Grow to use music as a teaching tool to prepare children for school readiness skills and life skills. Teachers and parents are involved in the on-going training opportunities that emphasize how music can enhance children’s development and help them to learn. The program is implemented at two of the Way to Grow locations: Little Earth and Center for Families both located in urban Minneapolis.
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.
Wayzata WISHES Strings Program,Wayzata, est. 2006 – The program prepares students for small group lessons grades 2-5 on violin, viola and cello. Kindergarten – first grade students attend Musical Trolley to gain a foundation for musical students.
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.
Women’s Advocate’s in St. Paul- battered women’s shelter est. 2008- provide musical experiences for young children and their families to both help the parents/caregivers find tools to deal with stress and encourage learning through musical play activities.
YWCA - Downtown Children’s Center, 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)
The Amos and Celia Heilicher 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 –8th 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. .
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.
Birch Lake Elementary, White Bear Lake, est. 2006 –Modeled after the Whittier International Elementary School partnership, students in second and third grade have the opportunity to begin small group piano lessons and will continue to develop piano skills as they reach grades four and five. Please see the Early Childhood Arts and Music Therapy partnership descriptions for more information on the scope of the program.
Breck and Blake Clinics
The MacPhail Clinic 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.
Columbia Heights Public Schools, Columbia Heights, est. 2008 - In fall 2008, MacPhail Center for Music began offering Musical World classes to first graders at North Park Elementary and Highland Elementary in Columbia Heights as a part of their after school program.
Destination 2010, est. 2002-An extension of the former Cargill Scholars program, Destination 2010 supports private study to motivated high school students.
Friendship Village, est. 2009- This senior residence supports a large vocal ensemble called Sing for Your Life. Administered by a MacPhail teaching artist, each Sing for Your Life session includes a variety of activities which improve vocal health and wellness and foster creativity and song preparation.
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-5 at the school.
The Junior League of Minneapolis - LeagueAires, est. 2006—In 1966, the Junior League of Minneapolis approved the formation of LeagueAires, a volunteer women’s chorus comprised of active and sustaining 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 who plans repertoire and conducts weekly rehearsals in preparation for the LeagueAires annual trouping season. LeagueAires members are volunteers trained in the fundamentals of therapeutic music. Their mission is to bring the joy of music to elders, disadvantaged children, and mentally or physically challenged children and adults. Each year, LeagueAires performs at over forty five different venues for older adult audiences at assisted living and long-term residences, and for children and adults with mental and developmental disabilities. Special past presentation include performances at Orchestra Hall, the Minnesota History Center, and at the White House.
Martin Luther Care Center, est. 2008- MacPhail partners with Martin Luther Care Center, a long-term care facility managed by Ebenezer, to promote lifelong learning. Programming includes performances and bi-monthly music classes. Martin Luther Care Center is the pilot site for MacPhail teaching artists to work with residents during a 12 week sequential learning music program for the MetLife Foundation Grant Creative Aging Program. MacPhail received this MetLife grant through the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
Meadow Woods Assisted Living, Bloomington, est. 2006 – The first partnership of its kind for MacPhail, teaching artists from MacPhail promote lifelong learning with the residents at Meadow Woods, and assisted living residence managed by Ebenezer. Twice per month, a MacPhail teaching artist works with residents and staff choosing topics for music exploration. A variety of interactive performances are presented by MacPhail teaching artists in combination with participatory class environments.
New City School, Minneapolis, est. 2006 – Located in north east Minneapolis, New City School is a small, diverse, community that actively engages students to build knowledge, ask questions, design 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. MacPhail provides general music curriculum and instruction to all K-8 students.
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-4 classroom music program that integrates MacPhail curriculum with the CORE Knowledge sequence. Students in grades 5-8 choose a music elective of band, orchestra, or general music. The programs in 5-8th grade include both small group lessons and ensemble opportunities.
Patrick Henry High School, Minneapolis, est. 1993 -MacPhail residencies help support different areas of music education offerings 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.
Prestige Academy, Minneapolis, est. 2004 – Located in the former Ascension Club building in north Minneapolis, Prestige Academy is a non-Catholic, public charter high. 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, Prestige Academy offers instrumental music in the form of small group lessons and ensemble on band instruments.
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- 2 attends weekly classes of general music taught by a MacPhail teaching artist.
Whittier International Elementary School, Minneapolis, est. 1998 –Thanks to the support of corporate funders that include Cargill, Ameriprise Financial, Best Buy, and Medtronic, MacPhail has grown its nationally-recognized Pathways to Performance program at Whittier since 2004. Pathways provides Whittier with a piano and violin program that currently serves 2nd – 5th grade piano students and 3rd – 5th grade violin students. Whittier also 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 classes. 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 receives the support of the Carolyn Foundation, the Kopp Family Foundation, COMPAS, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Pathways is also funded in part by a generous grant from the MetLife Partners in Arts Education Program which is funded by the MetLife Foundation and administered by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
WISHES Strings Program, Wayzata, 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 second year of partnership. The Wayzata String Program will provide small group lessons to students in grades 2-5 on violin, viola, or cello. The program will prepare students for orchestral study which begins in grade six.
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)
ARC of Greater Twin Cities, est. 2008-Two board-certified music therapists provide musical activities and information about the benefits of music therapy at four ARC-sponsored Family Fun Nights. Therapists facilitate large-group activites with special needs children from several cultures and a wide range of diagnostic categories at sites in Anoka, Hennepin, Scott, and Washington counties.
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.
Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation – A board-certified music therapist provides group and private music therapy as well as adaptive lessons to clients with a variety of special needs at the Senior Center in Eden Prairie. This partnership is registration based and in partnership with the City of Eden Prairie, Parks and Recreation/Therapeutic Recreation Department.
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 –A board certified music therapist from MacPhail provides individual, group and co-treat music therapy to the children at the hospital. The music therapist is considered a component of the interdisciplinary team and develop appropriate goals/objectives and activities to address the children’s individual needs. The music therapist works with children with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and those going through comprehensive medical rehabilitation at the hospital eight hours each week in providing individual. Goals for music therapy services include, but are not limited to; validation of emotions and feelings, increase self esteem and self worth, opportunities for socialization, improved motor functioning, increased cognitive functioning and improved speech skills.
Lionsgate Academy, Crystal, est. 2009- The mission of Lionsgate Academy is to provide a transition-oriented and personalized learning program focused on secondary grades (grades 7-12) higher-functioning students on the autism spectrum. MacPhail music therapists provide group and individual instruction, utilizing instrument exploration, improvisation, song writing, and peer interaction.
Minnesota Life College, Richfield, est. 2008 - A board-certified music therapist from leads weekly groups. Music Therapy sessions include but are not be limited to: rhythmic playing, song writing, and improvisation. Sessions will provide music activities which foster developmentally appropriate social, communication, cognitive and physical skill growth, with specific attention on: executive functioning, transition skills, matching/understanding and reciprocating emotions, personal space and leadership.
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. 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. Five different board-certified music therapists lead weekly music therapy groups to seven different Opportunity Partners, sites around the Twin Cities. The groups are comprised of adults (ages 22-80+) diagnosed with, but not limited to: Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Cognitive Delay (DCD) and early stage dementia of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Type. Goals include increased skills in the following areas: socialization, communication, physical movement, music experimentation and emotional expression. Opportunity Partner’s is a non-profit organization providing work experience for adults with a range of disabilities.”
Otter Lake Elementary, White Bear Lake, est. 2008
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.
Phoenix Alternatives, Inc., White Bear Lake, est. 2007 - A board-certified music therapist from MacPhail provides leads 4 weekly groups. The groups occur at 3 of PAI’s sites, including their sites on: White Bear Parkway, Linden Avenue and in Oakdale. Music Therapy sessions will include but not be limited to: rhythmic playing, movement to music, and therapeutic singing. Sessions provide music activities which foster developmentally appropriate social, communication, cognitive and physical skill growth
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.
Waite House, Minneapolis, est. 2009- A MacPhail therapist leads a group of traumatized teenagers in a variety of activities to help develop emotional expression, socialization, self-confidence, and communication skills. Activities include song writing, group drumming, and improvisation.
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.
Willow River Elementary, Hudson, WI, est. 2007
