Gilbert Public Schools orchestra programs stand out

Gilbert Public Schools has struck a harmonious chord with its renowned orchestra program, earning high praise across Arizona.

Thriving on a blend of a welcoming yet challenging curriculum, a collaborative faculty across all grade levels and a supportive culture that celebrates every musician's journey, orchestra programs at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels have been recognized throughout the state.

Orchestra programs across GPS welcome aspiring musicians in fifth grade and beyond. The program is designed to start simple and gradually get harder as students progress.

Each year, students work to improve their skills on their instruments by learning new notes, exploring new positions and studying new concepts and techniques. This step-by-step approach ensures a strong foundation from how to hold their instrument to playing their instruments with great proficiency.

Students  who are interested in the possibility of performing outside of the classroom are offered unique opportunities in the district such as the Junior High Honors Orchestra.

This competitive ensemble simulates a real-world experience where students audition in front of third-party judges.

The ensemble experience is coordinated and led by a team of GPS Junior High Orchestra teachers, a group of highly experienced and accomplished musicians and educators.

If students are selected for the Honor orchestra, they are given three pieces to work on outside of the classroom, each of which being more difficult than the course curriculum. Students work on their pieces on their own for a month and then complete two rehearsals before their performance as the District Honor Orchestra.

This year the orchestra performance was led by Cayce Miners, the orchestra director at Tucson High Magnet School.

In addition to improving their musical skills, participating in the District Honors Orchestra allows students to collaborate with talented musicians from across the district and showcase their abilities in an environment similar to what a professional musician might experience.

“Many of us in Arizona who are paying attention know that there are good things going on in the orchestra programs at Gilbert Public Schools,” Miners said. “From an outside perspective, the district, the community, and the teachers have all come together to treat music as something special. In terms of the quality, the musicianship, and the performances, the music that comes out of Gilbert is something special.“

Miners attributes the success of Gilbert Public Schools' orchestra program to the district's long history of embracing music education, which has led to having dedicated band, orchestra, and general music teachers with focused instruction in each area.

The educators have built a collaborative culture that has developed a cohesive music program, ensuring a smooth transition for students as they progress through all grade levels.

Ultimately, this collaborative spirit and focus on music throughout a student's academic journey instill a passion for music in Gilbert's students.

“It’s not just the district that makes these programs special, it's the teachers, community, and district as a whole,” Miners added.

Gilbert Public Schools was awarded the Best Communities for Music Education award by the NAMM Foundation for the fifth consecutive year.

This award recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.

Those interested in learning more about music programs at GPS can visit GilbertSchools.net/Music .