Harrisburg School District
Music Curriculum
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Introduction
The music program, to be effective, must be taught by teachers certified in music (according to the Ad Hoc Consortium of
National Arts Education which includes the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, MENC: The National Association for
Music Education, NAEA: The National Art Education Association, and the National Dance Association):
“The arts education associations believe that (1) all students at every level, early childhood through
high school, should be provided with a balanced, comprehensive, and sequential program of instruction in
art, music, theatre, and dance in their schools, (2) these programs should be taught by qualified art, music,
theatre, and dance teachers, and (3) art, music, theatre, and dance should be an integral part of the basic
education of all students”.
The arts are a core subject under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act. The arts are written into Pennsylvania State law in
Chapter 4, PDE Student Academic Goals and the State Academic Standards, which include music.
Philosophy
The Music Faculty’s vision for our community of learners is that our children deserve access to the rich education and
understanding that music provides, regardless of background, talents, or disabilities. Music provides students with an understanding
of their historical and cultural heritage and enables the student to experience the aesthetic expression necessary for the complete
human.
The National and State Standards for Music serve as the framework for the Harrisburg School District Music curriculum.
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District Mission Statement
“Developing the Capacity for Learning to Learn in Every Member of the Learning Community”
Music’s Mission Statement
The mission of the music program in the Harrisburg School District is to ensure that each learner be provided with the
opportunity to receive a regular, balanced, comprehensive, sequential, substantive, and rigorous program of music instruction.
Classroom/Choral Mission Statement
Students will acquire musical skills and knowledge through listening, singing, playing, moving, and creating during classroom
music instruction. Students should have opportunities to participate in a variety of ensembles, including chorus on the elementary
level, scheduled during instructional time.
Instrumental Mission Statement
Students will acquire musical skills and knowledge through listening, singing, playing, moving, and creating during individual
and group lessons, as well as during instrumental ensemble rehearsals and performances. Students should have opportunities to
participate in a variety of ensembles including Beginner Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and small ensembles scheduled during
instructional time.
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Vision Statement
Our vision is to guide students of the Harrisburg School District to develop a life-long understanding of and appreciation for
diverse music through classroom and ensemble experiences. It is also important for our students to develop listening skills as they
study and experience music and to develop an awareness of the value of and the important role music plays in their daily lives.
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HARRISBURG
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
ARTS AND ARTS IN EDUCATION
1. Purpose
The Board recognizes its responsibility for the improvement and
growth of the educational program of the schools. To this end
the arts shall become a core curriculum area and strategies for
integrating the arts into education will be part of the instructional
strategies used by the staff.
2. Definition
For the purpose of this policy, the arts include visual arts, music,
dance, and theatre. In addition, arts in education utilizes the
arts as an instructional strategy to increase the students’ depth of
“knowing” and to provide differentiated instruction.
3. Authority
The Board is responsible for the curriculum of the schools. The
Board directs that the curriculum of this district includes the arts
as core content area and integrates the arts into other content
areas, as well. Therefore the Superintendent and the Board
acknowledge:
1. The arts are part of the education of the “whole child”
and are central to the human experience.
2. The arts provide a rich content and an engaging learning
climate.
3. The arts celebrate cultures.
4. The arts create meaning and improve student
achievement.
5. The arts create community, connecting students to each
other and fostering collaboration, cooperation, and
respect.
6. The arts provide development of originality and
creativity.
7. The arts in school enhance a lifetime of literacy by
facilitating decoding, understanding, and interpretation of
symbolism.
8. The arts provide career opportunities for our students.
4. Delegation of
Responsibility
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As educational leader of the district, the Superintendent shall
be responsible for providing arts experiences to students
from Pre-school to 12th grade. Furthermore the
Superintendent shall establish procedures for assuring that
the arts are integrated into all content areas.
The Superintendent will designate leadership for the Arts and
Arts in Education
A listing of the arts programs, during the school day and
beyond the regular school day that are offered to our students
shall be made available for the information of the parents, the
community, and the Board.
A listing of professional development programs focused on
arts integration shall similarly be made available.
One or more of the K-8 schools shall be encouraged to have
an arts in education program.
Students will be made aware of and encouraged to participate
in such programs as a school for the arts, summer programs,
etc.
The Superintendent shall report to the Board the arts courses,
programs, scheduled performances, and exhibits that are
offered and provided.
Curriculum materials for the visual arts, music, dance, theatre
and arts integration in a variety of content areas shall be
made available for information to the parents, for the use of
professional staff, and for the information of the Board.
The Board encourages students in the arts to participate in
both competitive and non-competitive performances and
exhibits.
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Acknowledgements
The members of the Music Staff would like to thank the following persons for
their dedication, supervision, guidance, and support during the process of writing the
music curriculum.

Dr. Gene VanDyke, Director of the Arts and Art in Education

Dr. Sharon Davis Gratto, D.M.A. Associate Professor; Music Education
Coordinator and Choral Music at Gettysburg College.
This curriculum is a direct result of their continuous support, consultation and
guidance. A special thanks to James McVitty, Lisa Romeo, and Wanda Watson who
compiled and typed the curriculum and to all of the Music Faculty members who gave of
their time and energy to put the curriculum together. The Music Staff of the Harrisburg
School District is pleased to present the Music Curriculum for the Harrisburg School
District.
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