This series was created to demystify the process of musical creativity while exposing students to varied musical traditions. Ultimately, Musicians and Middle Schools will excite and challenge students so that music becomes and ongoing and enriching part of their lives. As funding for music curriculum has been lost or substantially decreased, there is a real need to provide the skills and enrichment available through music and music-making. Students of middle school age tend to be open to new experiences and receptive to new ideas. It is critical to engaging under-achievers during this time who might otherwise be lost.
Music can be an attractive means of engaging students in creative and complex thought.
As a practical matter, there is flexibility in class scheduling at the middle school level which does not exist in high school today. Critical to the success of this program is the receptivity and participation of middle school teachers who have demonstrated innovation and motivation for new programs. Teachers of middle school students are also receptive to unique learning opportunities and their schedules provide some measure of flexibility, unlike high school.