North Allegheny School District

As part of the Interim Review Process, the MICRT recognized the need to reflect and make decisions related to former Recommendations that still need to be implemented. Based upon changes to best practices and state mandates, new Recommendations were identified for review and research.

The following is a summary of the new Recommendations identified during the Music Interim Curriculum Review process:

1.     Philosophy

2.     Curriculum Development (K-12)

• Strengthen alignment and sequencing between the Department’s unit-based curriculum and the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities.
•  Explore scheduling options for elementary pull-out instrumental music classes and middle school Activity Period performing ensembles.
• Address the presentation of music offerings across strands throughout the District, so that the fifth grade students and their parents can make informed decisions about scheduling.

3.     Music Technology

• Integrate cutting edge technology into the ensemble and general music settings.
• Establish an ongoing music technology integration team that explores the implementation of the FOCUS 2020 technology initiative within the Music Curriculum.
• Purchase and install Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4, and MainStage 3 (music and video production software) in North Allegheny Intermediate, Senior High School MAC lab, and music technology teacher laptops (Appendix C).
•  Purchase digital graphics pen peripheral for use in the North Allegheny High School Multimedia Arts classes to support the established curriculum (Appendix C).

4.     New Music Department Offerings

• Explore the viability of offering a new course, Multimedia Arts II, running concurrently with Multimedia Arts.
• Consider offering Music Theory III as an honors level course to acknowledge work students are currently doing.
• Consider adding Honors credit to the NAI Chamber Orchestra and the NAI Wind Ensemble.
• Provide a summer performing experience for instrumental music, for students with at least one year of playing experience (Appendix H).
• Explore an extra-curricular experience for middle school students in musical theater (Appendix G).

5.     College in High School

• Consider creating a partnership with local universities to develop a College in High School program.  This would allow students to complete a high school course and earn college credits simultaneously.  

6.     Professional Development

• Provide professional development for staff to explore and experience Emile Jaques-Dalcroze methodologies and approach with a certified instructor.
• Provide professional development opportunities for staff relating to Adapted Music classes offered to students within the Life Skills Support and Autistic Support programs.
• Provide professional development in the use of software applications (examples may include, but are not limited to: MuseScore, ExplainEverything, BookCreator, and GarageBand).

Summary of Review Report

This Interim Review affords the Music Department time to reflect upon the work that has been accomplished since the comprehensive Curriculum Review.  Our Interim Review helped the Department refocus on: philosophy, development of curriculum, music technology, new Music Department offerings, and college credit for high school students.  As society shifts, the Department looks forward to the opportunity to shape students more into thoughtful, caring, and creative producers and consumers of music.