SAN GABRIEL, CA – San Gabriel Unified’s Roosevelt Elementary is expanding its award-winning Music Immersion Experience (MIE) program to include new Mariachi and drumline electives for the 2017-18 school year.

The Mariachi and drumline classes accompany more than a dozen electives offered through the MIE program, which enhances overall student learning and achievement through music education.

“Mariachi and drumline are becoming more common as standard music offerings at schools across the country,” MIE coordinator Samantha Theisen said. “Mariachi music is a culturally rich artistic experience that teaches students important life skills through performance, and how to work together as a group.”

More than 20 fourth- and fifth-graders registered for the Mariachi class, which will be taught by MIE staff who are also professional Mariachi musicians and feature brass, violin and guitar lessons as well as singing and dancing.

The drumline elective is modeled after marching band and will teach students rudimentary drumming techniques. Theisen said she is confident students will love the comradery and performance opportunities that drumline offers.

To register for the electives, students select three to four courses from a catalog and Theisen arranges the students accordingly. The electives are available to second- through fifth-graders as an addition to their fundamental MIE music classes, with 75 percent of students enrolled in the optional courses.

Students can choose up to three elective classes that meet one to three times a week, including ukulele, guitar, dance, rock band, camerata, show choir, percussion ensembles, and more.

Enrollment at Roosevelt Elementary increased by approximately 30 students for the 2017-18 year, and Theisen partially credits the MIE program.

MIE extends the school day to accommodate a fundamental music lesson period, with transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students participating in a 30-minute general lesson and first- through fifth-graders learning for an hour.

“Music is a vital part of our students’ well rounded educational experience and we are thrilled to have a comprehensive music program embedded into Roosevelt’s curriculum,” SGUSD Superintendent Dr. John Pappalardo said. “We look forward to watching our students develop new skills through these electives and discover their interests as we prepare them for lifelong learning.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

090517_SANGAB_MIE: Roosevelt Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders learn rudimentary drumming techniques during the drumline elective of the Music Immersion Experience (MIE) program. The Mariachi and drumline classes were added for the 2017-18 school year, and will accompany more than a dozen other electives.