Exemplary Music and Performing Arts at Carlsbad Unified
Every day at Aviara Oaks Middle School (AOMS), nearly half of its 1,100 students are practicing their craft in music and performing arts classes. Students, 248 of them, are playing wind instruments and percussion in Band; and 128 are studying strings, winds, and percussion in Orchestra. Another 120 Drama students are rehearsing for their next musical theater production. These students present outstanding concerts and performances on campus and in the community throughout the year. If you include the students enrolled in art, dance, and photography classes, over 70% of all AOMS students are involved in the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) each day.
Last spring, when AOMS was named a California Gold Ribbon School, it also was recognized as a California Exemplary Arts Education School for its programs in Band, Orchestra, and Drama, as well as Dance, Art, Broadcasting, and Photography.
In the words of Principal Bryan Brockett, “The level of excellence that our students and teachers produce in the arts here at AOMS is remarkable. These programs play a central role in connecting students to their school and the community. It’s cool to be in the band at AOMS. For many, their experience ignites a passion that carries them through high school and beyond.”
Music education begins early in Carlsbad Unified. Through a unique partnership with the Carlsbad Educational Foundation (CEF), every elementary school student has a 45-minute weekly music class taught by a credentialed teacher. Students are exposed to a variety of musical genres, learn to read music, and experience making music through hands-on activities.
So, when they arrive in middle school, these students have a foundation that prepares them for the transition into beginning band, orchestra, chorus, drama, and musical theater programs. In addition to the AOMS programs described above, both Calavera Hills and Valley Middle Schools have highly regarded music and performing arts programs. Valley Middle School offers orchestra, band, choir and drama classes, including the Showstoppers show choir. Calavera Hills Middle School offers drama, choir, and band. CHMS has a long tradition of Coyote Cavern Productions involving both elementary and middle school students, supported by PTA and CEF, such as this year’s production of Oklahoma!
A host of exciting programs — often leading to Visual and Performing Arts career pathways — await students at Carlsbad and Sage Creek High Schools. Here’s just a sampling:
Sound Express —Carlsbad High School’s award-winning Advanced Mixed Show Choir — was chosen to perform for the "Salute to Teachers: The San Diego County Teacher of the Year Awards" program on Cox. They also met and sang for the band Cheap Trick, and were picked to sing on stage at a Foreigner concert. Sound Express won many awards last year, including first place at both the "San Diego Sings" competition and the Burbank Blast Competition. Choir director Jesse Bullock says, “The students in the Vocal Music Program at Carlsbad High School have a tradition of excellence in music. They understand that hard work is the key to excellent performance. Every year the students and the program continue to push themselves to the next step.”
The Marching Lancers, Carlsbad High School’s marching band, are consistent finalists in the SCSBOA championship circuit and regularly win Class Champions, Best Drumline, and Best Guard at regional competitions. They started the 2017 season by winning their first competition on October 14.
The Wind Ensemble, Carlsbad High School’s flagship ensemble, traveled to Chicago last April and were named Grand Champions of the Festival of Music competition.
Carlsbad High School’s outstanding drama and musical theater program earned eight awards at the 2016-17 National Youth Arts Awards, including Outstanding Production for The Drowsy Chaperone, Lead Actor in a Musical, and Lead Actress in a Musical.
The CHS Varsity Lancer Dancer team brings national attention to Carlsbad by excelling in the Universal Dance Association’s (UDA) National Dance Competition each year, holding eleven number one UDA National Titles in Jazz and Hip Hop, and receiving national television exposure on ESPN.
Sage Creek High School, now in its fifth year, boasts growing and thriving music and performing arts programs. There are three performance based classes: Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, and Concert Choir. All three of these ensembles are featured performers in concerts throughout the year.
A new lab-based music class at Sage Creek High School serves as an introduction to instrumental music. Students learn to play guitar, piano, percussion, and wind instruments.
Other musical opportunities are provided by the Bobcat Beat (the school's Pep Band), the musical pit orchestra, the Jazz Club, the Music Theory Club, and other chamber ensembles.
The Jazz Club, new this year, was founded by Senior Band Member Tessa Witkofsky in conjunction with her Genius Project. Students in this club are taught the basics in Jazz Theory and Improvisation and learn to play different forms of jazz, with the goal of becoming a full-fledged big band.
Sage Creek High School’s Theater program was honored last year with several National Youth Arts Awards for its production of Bye Bye Birdie, including four wins in the Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress categories. This year’s musical will be Footloose.
We at Carlsbad Unified take great pride in our traditional and innovative music and performing arts programs. And we appreciate CEF, PTA, and their many partners who help create these opportunities for our students.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to attend Carlsbad Educational Foundation’s “Carols of Carlsbad” event at the Omni La Costa Resort on Saturday, December 2, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, where talented musical groups from all of our schools will be performing. I hope to see you there.
