Music Department

Cranston Music Department Mission Statement: 

The mission of the Cranston Music Department is to graduate students who, by the end of our PK - 12 curriculum, are exposed to high-quality music literature from a variety of genres and cultures, have experience in musical creation and performance, are musically literate, and have the tools necessary for lifelong music engagement.

Cranston Music Department’s Vision for Music Education:

The fundamental music processes that students will engage with in the classroom are:  creating, performing, responding, and connecting.  In parallel to the National Association for Music Education, we believe that a comprehensive music education will embed the connecting process into all music lessons.  We also believe that Creating, Performing, and Responding are intrinsically linked together in a high-quality, comprehensive music education, and that all student musicians should have the opportunity to engage with these three processes throughout their K-12 music education.  

 Therefore, in the Cranston Schools Music Classroom, students:

~are provided with high-quality repertoire appropriate for their skill level.

~are exposed to authentic repertoire that highlights cultures from within the community, and around the world.

~develop persistence and resilience through music performance and creation.

~are a part of a musical environment that is inclusive and respectful of all learners.

~develop responsibility for their own musical growth.

~are provided opportunities for amplification of their voice and choice to be a part of their musical experiences.

~engage with a curriculum that encourages coaching, modeling, and demonstrating by both teachers and students.

~connect and integrate music with other disciplines and the real world.

 

 

The Music Department in Cranston is very proud of all of our K-12 offerings, from kindergarten general music to our award-winning high school Bands, Choirs and Orchestras.   We are thrilled to be the only district in Rhode Island chosen as a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants.

 

Cranston Music Department has fully integrated NCAS (National Core Arts Standards) and the RIDE Arts Framework into a our revamped curriculum.   We have integrated music production technology throughout our general music program, have added multiple early-enrollment courses in collaboration with Rhode Island College, and offer a RIDE approved CTE program in Audio Engineering and Design at Cranston High School East.  Thanks to two RIDE ARTS Initiative Grant awards, all elementary and middle schools have ukulele performance as part of general music, and we have implemented a new high-quality prek-5 curriculum program.  New instruments and choral risers were purchased at for all secondary schools, and each high school music production classroom has a state-of-the-art recording studio.   Middle school music students across the district are also be exposed to loop-based music production and live audio recording through a podcasting unit thanks to a RIDE STEAM grant.