K-12 School Partnerships
MacPhail provides customized and innovative music education programs for K-12 schools.
About K-12 School Partnerships
Since 1989, MacPhail School Partnerships have enriched students’ lives by providing unrivaled in-person or live online instruction in tandem with Minnesota schools. Our staff works with schools to develop customized and relevant programming through individual instruction, sectionals, ELL support, residencies, masterclasses, and more. We reach over 500 students and 50 schools in a typical school year.
Online School Partnerships
For over a decade, MacPhail has been using online instruction to bridge the gap between MacPhail’s teaching artists and students across the state. Through generous grant funding, we can provide the high-quality programming MacPhail is known for in an online format to Title I and greater Minnesota schools at a significantly discounted rate.
How It Works
Discuss Goals, Budget, and Timeline
Our goal is to support your students, educators, and program! We will work hard to meet your goals, budget, and timeline.
Design Curriculum & Programming
No two partnerships look alike. We offer programming customized to meet your unique needs and educational outcomes with fun, engaging, and researched-based methods.
Examples of Programming
- Field Trips/One-time Events
- Sing-a-Longs
- Short Term Residency
- Year-long Programming
- Workshops for Adults
Examples of Curriculum
- General Music (infants to age 8)
- Musical World
- Songwriting
- Beginning Ukulele
Delivery
- In-person
- Online
- Hybrid
Confirm and Begin
Confirm and Begin!
To get started, email Ben Bussey, Partnerships Development Representative.
Project Amplify
Want to learn more about MacPhail’s equity-focused initiative for Minnesota K-12 schools? Visit the Project Amplify page.
Resources for Educators
MacPhail offers one complimentary clinic to each school within a 30 minute driving radius of any of its teaching sites. Our teaching artists will conduct a clinic at your school for either the entire ensemble or specific instrument sections, jazz band, orchestra and choir. Contact Ben Bussey to discuss the options and set up a clinic at your school. It is also possible to purchase clinics for your school beyond the complimentary clinic.
MacPhail, in cooperation with the MMEA, has created a suite of tutorial videos using the pieces selected for the All-State Band/Orchestra/Choir/Jazz band auditions. Please feel free to share these videos with your students.
The Musical Passports program is designed for you, as a music teacher, to give the gift of music to a student of your choice, who is not currently taking lessons at MacPhail, and who is motivated and committed to their study of music. Your student will receive a 50 percent savings on one semester of music instruction, plus a waiver of the $30 registration fee. Contact Ben Bussey for more information.
This is an annual event open to all percussion ensembles, middle school, high school and college. There are no participation fees or admission charged to audience. It is an event to showcase percussion ensemble playing that is open to the public. The event is held typically late February or early March. Participating schools have included; University of Minnesota, St. Cloud University, Augsburg College, Rosemount, Roseville, Blaine, Centennial, Woodbury, Valley Middle, Park, East Ridge and Minnetonka Schools. For more information contact Erik Schee.
Playing in a band or orchestra is a way to have fun making music and build on your musical skills for a lifetime! Click here to explore bands and orchestras in the Twin Cities area.
Here are some downloadable tools and links that may be helpful in your classroom.
Percussion Rudiments PDF
Circle of Fifths Poster – PDF
We have created this easy-to-read, one page “Circle of Fifths” poster to download and print for your students!
Questions? Contact Us
Elizabeth Winslow, Director of School Partnerships
Ben Bussey, Partnership Development Representative
Rachel Hickman, Online School Partnerships Manager
Heather Vanderley, School Partnerships Budget & Payroll Coordinator
Makayla Ferraro, School Partnerships Metro Partnerships Coordinator