At Woodlin Elementary, music is a part of every student's academic year.  

Each homeroom is schedule for a 40-45 minute general music class one day a week.  

All grade four and five students are also enrolled in a 45 minute chorus rehearsal from the middle of September through their concert (usually in May).  

Additionally, grade four and five students my elect to learn an string, woodwind, or brass instrument with weekly lessons from October through May.

Purpose of Music Education

“The arts have always been considered to be an essential component of great societies. In order for the arts to contribute to understanding of the human condition, students must be given guaranteed access to the highest quality of art education possible. This education will serve students and all citizens in using their guaranteed right of freedom of speech in the pursuit of social justice while improving the quality of life each of us enjoy as Americans.”

— Dr. F. Robert Sabol

The Fine Arts are important to every child’s development and play a vital role in providing the students in Montgomery County Public Schools with the well-rounded, world class education necessary for college and career readiness. Music education promotes the core competencies – Academic Excellence, Creative Problem-solving, and Social Emotional Learning – identified by MCPS as essential to prepare students for success in the 21st century. Through engagement with the music curriculum, students will encounter the following 21st century skills:

FAQ

When are performances?

Kindergarten, grade one, and grade two each have an informance during March.  An informance is an opportunity for parents and gaurdians to attend a regularly schedule music class and watch their children learn the elements of music.

Grades four and five put on a Spring Concert, usually in May.  This concert includes music from the grade 4 chorus, grade 5 chorus, the combined chorus, and our beginning and advanced instrumental ensembles.  During the school performance, grade three students will also present what they have learned to play on their recorders.

Who participates in chorus?

All grade four and five students at Woodlin Elementary participate in chorus once a week as part of their special class rotations (art, media, music, phys ed, and chorus). 

What is being learned during chorus?

Choral singing is a group activity that requires teamwork, coordination, and effort.  Musically, students are learning the basics of reading a score (sheet music) and are supplementing their general music curriculum with real world context and experience.

Who participates in band and orchestra?

All grade four and five students at Woodlin Elementary may choose to play an instrument at the beginning of the year.  This class is a pull out block in small groups (10-15 students) once a week.

Staff

Mr. Jacob Barker, M.Ed. in Kodály Music Education

Contact Mr. Barker: Jacob_A_Barker@mcpsmd.org

Each week Mr. Barker teaches 20 sections of general music and two sections of chorus at Woodlin Elementary.  When he isn't at work, he's singing at his church job, hanging out with his cats Walter and Wateka, or riding his bike around the District and Maryland.

Ms. Rachel Taylor, M.M. in Music Education

Contact Ms. Taylor: Rachel_Taylor@mcpsmd.org

Each Thursday and Friday, Ms. Taylor teaches brass, woodwind, and string classes to interested 4th & 5th graders. When she isn't at school, she teaches AP Music Theory to a homeschool co-op, sings and plays at her church, spends time in her garden, and explores local waterfalls.

Ms. Rebecca DeStefanis, M.M. in Music Education

Contact Ms. DeStefanis: Rebecca_M_Destefanis@mcpsmd.org

Each Wednesday Ms. DeStefanis teaches 4 sections of general music at Woodlin Elementary.  When she isn't working, she is at home with her husband and her 3 children (triplets who are seniors in high school this year).