Simply Strings
Program Plan
2013-2018
Santa Rosa Symphony
SIMPLY STRINGS
SIMPLY STRINGS
page2
Summary
Simply Strings is an El Sistema-inspired expansion of the Santa Rosa Symphony’s Integrated Community Music
Education Programs, bringing the deeper, hands-on music education of the Training Young Musicians programs
into the schools. This program integration is a hallmark of the Symphony’s education efforts, effectively
leveraging the Training Young Musicians program to support the Music for Our Schools program. Simply Strings
will provide daily after-school instruction on violin and viola at Sheppard Elementary in the Roseland
neighborhood of Santa Rosa, 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 eight-week sessions each year. Simply Strings
is designed to guide one class of 15 students from grade two through grade six, adding a new second-grade
class each year. There is no cost for participating students who demonstrate significant financial need. Each
year at a finale performance Simply Strings musicians will join the Santa Rosa Symphony’s Tall Orchestra on
the stage of Weill Hall. They will perform for their peers using Carnegie Hall’s interactive Link Up National
curriculum.
Integrated Community Music Education
A few students may join Youth Ensembles without additional support
Music for Our Schools
Free Concerts
For Youth
Elementary
Schools Listening
Program
Simply
Strings
Students from Simply Strings are supported as
they join Youth Ensembles
Mentors from Youth Ensembles perform with
and support Simply Strings students
It’s Elementary
Young musicians perform for their peers at FCFY and other school concerts
Summer Music
Academy
String Orchestra
Workshop
Youth
Ensembles
Training Young Musicians
Link Up
The Santa Rosa Symphony’s Training Young Musicians and the Music for Our Schools programs regularly interact
in a mutually beneficial, integrated system. Training Young Musicians orchestras perform in the community
through the Music for Schools programs. Students that are exposed to classical music in one of these Music for
Our Schools programs are encouraged to apply and become members of SRS Youth Ensembles.
However, the barriers of transportation and financial hardship often dramatically impede this integration.
Simply Strings will be integral in creating access for students that face socioeconomic barriers. It is our
expectation that students will participate in the Youth Ensembles, and staff will support that transition in
every way possible, from helping to arrange carpools to ensuring that financial aid and audition information is
properly disseminated and understood.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page3
Inspiration & Ethos
Simply Strings is inspired by Venezuela’s national music education program El Sistema. Founded in 1979 with
11 young musicians in a garage, this program is giving students the opportunity to break the vicious cycle of
poverty through a powerful mission of artistic excellence and access for all. Initially inspired by U.S. public
schools, El Sistema is a social program that engages students who face significant barriers and high-risk
activities in their daily lives. It combats the cycle of poverty by making high quality music education accessible
to all of its nation’s citizens at no charge. According to El Sistema’s founder, Jose Antonio Abreu, the orchestra
is the only organization that comes together with the sole purpose of agreeing with itself, a dramatic contrast
to a life of poverty and chaos.
A decade-long study of 30,000 students in the United States showed that arts-based, after-school group
activities were effective in instilling pro-civic and pro-social values, a strong locus of self-control,
independence and a strong sense of self-efficacy for future goals. These after-school programs were successful
because they provided roles, rules and risks,1 which is what El Sistema orchestras consistently provide in a
harmonious structure. El Sistema effectively increases the likelihood of its students to become productive,
members of society.
In El Sistema and the U.S. programs inspired by it, students participate in a localized music school, their
neighborhood nucleo. Their families are actively involved in tailoring the program to the unique needs of each
community. The pedagogy typically follows a national standard beginning with choral arrangements and
language courses on music fundamentals. Once students have earned their instruments, they advance to the
first of their nucleo’s orchestras. With time and dedication, Venezuelan students earn an orchestra position
that provides a stipend for expenses. With this system in place, families become more supportive of student
involvement from beginning to end, and are less likely to pull students out of the program to work. Students
are simultaneously acquiring a strong commitment to service as they become teachers and mentors, giving
back to their nucleo which gave them so much support.
As outlined by Jonathan Andrew Govias, there are five fundamentals of El Sistema:
1. Social Change: The primary objective of El Sistema is social transformation through the pursuit of musical
excellence. One happens through the other, and neither is prioritized at the expense of the other.
2. Ensembles: The focus of El Sistema is the orchestral or choral experience, inclusive and collaborative.
3. Frequency: El Sistema ensembles meet multiple times every week over extended periods.
4. Accessibility: El Sistema programs are free.
5. Connectivity: Every nucleo is connected at the urban, regional and national levels, forming a cohesive
network of services and opportunities for students across the country.
1
Uy, Michael. Venezuela's National Music Education Program El Sistema: Its Interactions with Society and its Participants' Engagement in Praxis. Music & Arts in Action Volume 4 Issue 1.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page4
Program Structure
Year One: (Second Grade)
3:00-3:15 snack break (Boys & Girls Club)
3:15-4:15 Musicianship and Group Lessons (violin): Strings Specialist A
4:15-5:15 Beginning Ensemble: Strings Specialist A , Mentors
Year Two: (Third Grade)
3:00-3:15 snack break (Boys & Girls Club)
3:15-4:15 Musicianship and Group Lessons (violin): Strings Specialist B
4:15-5:15 Beginning Ensemble: Strings Specialist B , Strings Specialist A, Mentors
Year Three: (Fourth Grade)
3:00-3:15 snack break (Boys & Girls Club)
3:15-4:15 Musicianship and Group Lessons (violin): Strings Specialist C
4:15-5:15 Beginning Ensemble: Strings Specialist C, Strings Specialist B , Strings Specialist A, Mentors
Year Four: (Fifth Grade)
3:00-3:15 snack break (Boys & Girls Club)
3:15-4:15 Advanced Ensemble: Strings Specialist D
4:15-5:15 Musicianship and Group Lessons (violin/viola)Strings Specialist D
Year Five: (Sixth Grade)
3:00-3:15 snack break (Boys & Girls Club)
3:15-4:15 Advanced Ensemble: Strings Specialist D
4:15-5:15 Musicianship and Group Lessons (violin/viola): Strings Specialist C
Rehearsal Schedule: M, T, Th, F
YEAR ONE
YEAR TWO
YEAR THREE
YEAR FOUR
YEAR FIVE
SNACK
3:00-3:15
3:00-3:15
3:00-3:15
SNACK
3:00-3:15
3:00-3:15
MUSICIANSHIP
Violin/Viola
3:15-4:15
3:15-4:15
3:15-4:15
ORCHESTRA II
3:15-4:15
3:15-4:15
ORCHESTRA I
4:15-5:15
4:15-5:15
4:15-5:15
MUSICIANSHIP
Violin/Viola
4:15-5:15
4:15-5:15
YEAR ONE
YEAR TWO
YEAR THREE
YEAR FOUR
YEAR FIVE
SNACK
1:15-1:30
1:15-1:30
1:15-1:30
SNACK
1:15-1:30
1:15-1:30
ORCHESTRA
1:30-3:30
1:30-3:30
1:30-3:30
ORCHESTRA
1:30-3:30
1:30-3:30
Rehearsal Schedule: W
SIMPLY STRINGS
page5
Pedagogy
All curriculum decisions are decided by consensus among faculty and staff, including establishing learning
milestones and baselines for advancement. The curriculum follows a trajectory that leads into the Training
Young Musicians program. All students will be encouraged to join. Before the end of the five-year program,
most students will be ready to join the Preparatory Orchestra.
Students in Simply Strings will always be preparing for a concert. This emphasis on performances develops a
sense of service to the community, motivates students to remain engaged, and gives them opportunities to
showcase their progress. Parents, siblings, peers and teachers all benefit from attending regular performances.
Bayer Farm, a brand new neighborhood community center, located across the street from Sheppard
Elementary, is excited about collaborating and hosting concerts.
Parent Involvement
Simply Strings parents are encouraged to form their own Parent Society. With support from the Simply Strings
staff, parents will use skills they already possess to organize an association in order to better serve their child’s
music program. Many music programs in the public schools are now almost exclusively funded by parent
associations and their advocacy efforts. Our intention is that the Parent Society will begin to create program
sustainability. Parents are expected to participate in parent/staff meetings at least twice a year, or more as
needed. Meetings will address issues that may arise and will also keep parents current about their child’s
progress in Simply Strings.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page6
Integrating Link Up
What is Link Up?
Through Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program, students learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom and
perform with a professional orchestra from their seats at a culminating concert at Carnegie Hall. Orchestras
may partner with Carnegie Hall in Link Up National, which serves more than 275,000 students worldwide. Link
Up National partners often modify the curriculum and the concert program in order to fit within the needs of
their community. Link Up curriculum provides lessons on reading music, as well as lessons on playing the
recorder. Several instrumental parts are included, so that students can perform at a level appropriate to their
understanding.
How does Link Up fit into the Integrated Community Music Education model?
The SRS professional orchestra led by music director Bruno Ferrandis currently performs two Free Concerts for
Youth per year. The Link Up National curriculum will be used to prepare up to 2,400 students for a
participatory audience experience at one of these two concerts. Participants from elementary schools across
the county, including the SRS It’s Elementary schools, will learn to read music and play the recorder over the
course of the year. They will then participate in the Free Concerts for Youth performances at the Green Music
Center. Students will play Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from their seats while Simply Strings students play side-byside on stage with the symphony’s professional orchestra.
Simplified part for beginners.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page7
More advanced part for star performers.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page8
Faculty and Staff
Community Engagement Manager
The Community Engagement Manager acts as the primary coordinator of the Simply Strings program, working
closely with the Director of Education on site selections, collaboration development, planning and policies.
This position supports and directs the Simply Strings faculty, mentors, students and parents, and reports to the
Director of Education on program goals and outcomes. The Community Engagement Manager is also responsible
for other administrative duties within the Education Department.
Master Teacher
The Simply Strings Master Teacher is responsible for coordinating rehearsals, performances and curriculum for
all Simply Strings students, and coordinating schedules for strings faculty, mentors and guest teaching artists.
This position also directs the beginning orchestra at the Simply Strings site. The Master Teacher works closely
with the Community Engagement Manager and the Student/Family Liaison on logistics, assessment, reporting
and communications with the community.
Student/Family Liaison
The Student/Family Liaison is bi-lingual (English/Spanish) who supports the social needs of Simply Strings
families and students and is responsible for conducting strong outreach and engagement efforts in the Simply
Strings community.
Strings Specialist Faculty
Strings Faculty is responsible for establishing and maintaining a positive and supportive environment for Simply
Strings students, families and staff. This position works closely with the Mentors, Master Teacher,
Student/Family Liaison and Community Engagement Manager to develop and implement program curriculum,
and to plan and facilitate daily lessons, performances, and special events for Simply Strings students.
Mentors
Two mentors per year are selected from the SRS Youth Ensembles and are provided a stipend for their services.
These students and teachers-in-training play alongside the young musicians in Simply Strings orchestras and
assist them in their learning process. Mentors work directly with the Strings Faculty and the Master Teacher.
Each mentor works two alternating days per week while Simply Strings is in session. This schedule is managed
by the Community Engagement Manager and the Master Teacher.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page9
Site Selection
A significant component in the planning process for Simply Strings was choosing the site location. Three
potential sites were selected by the Board of Directors’ Education Committee and music education staff:
Sheppard Accelerated Elementary (“Sheppard”), Kid Street Learning Center and Biella Elementary; all located
in Santa Rosa and public or public charter schools. The committee then created a rubric for comparison
assessment. The priorities established were that:
•
•
•
•
80% or more of the student body qualified as socioeconomically disadvantaged
Student retention rate was 80% or higher, (a five-year commitment from each Simply Strings family is a
requirement).
Site would allow the Simply Strings program to successfully integrate with the existing school and
afterschool culture, and would work with SRS through collaborations and mutual support.
Site would maximize the rate of entry into Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Ensembles (an indicator of
program success) through support and involvement with other SRS music education school programs.
Sheppard best met these priorities. Of the three schools, Sheppard demonstrated the highest need, with 91% of
the student body qualifying for the Federal free/reduced priced lunch program. Sheppard also had the lowest
mobility rate, an indicator that more Sheppard students would likely complete the entire program and/or
successfully integrate into the SRS Training Young Musicians program. Sheppard’s administration and
student/family community also showed the highest potential for support and successful collaboration.
Site location was also an important factor. Sheppard is located in Roseland, which has the highest percentage
of people age 17 or younger in Sonoma County and is more culturally and ethnically diverse than the county as
a whole.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page10
The Logic Map
The Santa Rosa Symphony has established a set of goals and intended outcomes for Simply Strings. The Logic Model below
details the inputs, activities, outputs and intended outcomes. These are monitored using the Assessment strategy that
follows, as well as through reports and tracking of enrollment, concert tickets and participation.
SIMPLY STRINGS
page11
Assessment Strategy
The Santa Rosa Symphony’s Simply Strings program carefully monitors the progress of all of its participants.
With individual student portfolios tracking their progress in key areas, and a control group of students in their
age group, comparisons are included in annual reports. Students are assessed in four primary areas: Academic
Development, Social Development, Community and Family impact, and Risk factor. These are monitored using
the criteria listed below. The control group and the Simply Strings participant group are also surveyed at the
end of each year and asked a series of simple questions such as “Do you enjoy school?” Below are sample
rubrics that define the areas that will be measured, fields marked (RC) will be taken directly from school
report cards.
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
(c-control)
AD- Advanced
C
PRProficient
C
BABasic
C
BBBelow
Basic
C NA- Not
Assessed
Literacy: Reading (RC)
Literacy: Writing (RC)
Literacy: Listening (RC)
English Language Development (RC)
Mathematics (RC)
Social Science (RC)
Science (RC)
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
(c-control)
C- Consistently
C
SSometimes
C
RRarely
C
NA- Not
Assessed
C
Healthy Behavior (RC)
Personal and Citizenship Skills (RC)
Group Participation
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY IMPACT
n/a
C- Consistently
n/a
S- Sometimes
n/a
R- Rarely
n/a
NA- Not Assessed
Family Concert attendance
Sibling interest/involvement
Parent Support/involvement
RISK FACTOR
Spends leisure time practicing music skills
Spends leisure time engaged in productive
activities like homework/sports/etc.
Expresses interest in achieving excellence
Associates with gang members or high risk
activities
C- Consistently
S- Sometimes
R- Rarely
NA- Not Assessed
C