Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music
School Description
"The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, a Magnet school, will provide a high quality music program with strong academic courses in a safe and nurturing environment for New York City youth who wish to explore and expand their musicianship. Through music, students will use their mind, hands, heart and soul to respond to an ever changing, complex world. Through the integration of music into all areas of the curriculum, students will utilize their unique, creative skills to develop varied approaches to successful learning on their way to becoming well-rounded, educated adults."
Contact Information
Website: www.ccbxhsm.org
Principal: Jerrod Mabry- jmabry@schools.nyc.gov
Additional ETA Contacts: Penelope Smetters-Jacono, band director- psjacono@gmail.com
Four-Year Plan Goals
Goal One: To create, develop, and implement a Physic of Music course
Goal Two: To develop a more rigorous curriculum for students in advanced ensembles
Approach
Goal One: The vision is to develop a science course that integrates the students’ existing music interests with a rigorous science curriculum in order to provide students with a competitive edge for college and to better engage them during high school by encouraging students to take a fourth year of science. Students are more likely to engage in a non-mandated fourth year curriculum if they find it relevant to their current music studies. Developing a physics of music elective course enables students who do not want/need to take a Regents based physics course, or AP Biology, to take a highly engaging, hands-on, music science curriculum and receive an extra credit of science. Science and music teachers use common planning time to create and edit the curriculum and ETA funds are used to purchase equipment and books.
Goal Two: In order to improve the rigor of instruction for students in advanced ensembles, school leadership enhances the ability and expertise of the music teachers through regular, on-going professional development sessions with master teaching artists. Music teachers observe these master teaching artists conduct master classes and private lessons for students. One on one professional development sessions following workshops and lessons provide the music teachers opportunities to debrief about what they saw, and discuss and practice new instructional and conducting techniques. ETA funds also support the purchase of a sheet music filing system to store and organize materials.
ARTS PARTNERSHIPS
Goal Two: Master teaching artists included David Burnett, strings; Ernest Schefflein, conducting and woodwinds; Walter Barrett, brass; Denise Lozano flute; Annette Aguilar, percussion; and Melissa Wozniak, voice.
Outcome
Goal One: CCHS will have a fully realized Physics of Music course curriculum complete with Physics of Music labs that will be fully enrolled increasing the number of students that graduate with four years of science.
Goal Two: Due to a more rigorous curriculum, a well-organized library of materials and equipment, and teacher improvements in conducting technique students will demonstrate improved proficiency on their instruments/voice during performances and NYSSMA and will have the skills necessary to be competitive applicants to music colleges."
"Through our four year partnership, we have been able to strengthen our offerings in all bands, orchestras, and choirs. Our teachers have participated in PD to enable them to be proficient in all areas of music instruction. We now have a well organized inventory of music and instruments to be used long term. Our Physics of Music course offers arts integrated science instruction to students and helps maintain a high level of interest."
"Teaching artists worked closely with music teachers on areas of weakness (upper string technique, advanced brass and double reed techniques, conducting, etc). These one on one sessions propelled the growth of our teachers and made classroom time more efficient."
"Music is at the heart of our school. The improvements in our advanced ensembles through our visiting artists has reinvigorated our students and staff pursuit of musical excellence at the highest level achievable. Students who received individual and small group instruction are confident and proud of their work. Our school community is proud and excited to be a part of such a prestigious program."
Four-Year Plan 2012-2016.