Greendale Schools Invest in Music Curriculum

Greendale teachers and administrators came up with a wish list of nearly $127,000 worth of new instruments and equipment they say is required to keep up with the district’s rigorous music curriculum.

On Monday, the School Board agreed.

Board members unanimously approved the purchase of $126,750 in equipment such as $15,000 for 15 wind instruments for the elementary schools to $4,000 piano for the high school. A $14,000 set of textbooks for Highland View to replace aging books is also included.

The costs exceed the budgeted amount for such purchases by approximately $50,000, but provides sufficient inventory of instruments to meet the needs of economically disadvantaged students, administration explained in a memo to the board.

Administration did build in $38,000 worth of potential reductions, but said they would reduce access for economically disadvantaged students, reduce the balance of the instrumental groups and would require teachers to try to extend the life existing resources, which could impact the quality of the program.

The new equipment purchases were made necessary by curriculum revisions. Early on, Greendale students will explore with increasing levels of challenge singing, playing instruments, composing, reading music, analyzing and more, as well as music history and culture.

At the secondary level, performance and music theory will develop in greater depth.