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Music

Music in Jeffco

Music education rooted in the Colorado Academic Standards is an integral part of Jeffco's core curriculum and provides students with unique experiences and skills essential for success in school and beyond. Students are provided instruction in all aspects of music: singing, playing, moving, reading, listening, analyzing, creating and performing.

Welcome to the Three Creeks K-8 instrumental music program. 

Three Creeks provides a unique opportunity for students to participate in instrumental music through a performance-based music education curriculum. Students have the opportunity to play brass, woodwind, strings and percussion instruments in a performance ensemble classroom setting.

Practice Tips for Parents

Elementary school parents

  • Help the student set up a special place at home to play their instrument for 15 to 30 minutes a session.
  • Establish a time each day to play. Some students are at their best in the morning, before school. Some parents set a time after the evening bath when the student is relaxed, but not tired.
  • If possible, be an active part of the student’s playing time. Sit with the student while they play and ask, "Show me what you're learning." Or, consider learning to play the instrument with the student.
  • Praise the student for each step forward.
  • Moms and Dads should avoid negative remarks about how the student’s playing sounds. It takes time and effort to produce musical sounds. Trust the instructor will give out plenty of constructive criticism throughout the year.
  • Encourage other family members to applaud the student’s efforts. Positive attention is a great motivator. A great time to hold recitals is when families visit on holiday breaks. 
  • Remember that there are always peaks and valleys in the learning process. You and the student should expect times of discouragement, accept them, and focus on the positive fact that they are learning to make music. Remind them that everything worth doing takes time and effort.
  • Provide positive role models. Bring the student to hear amateur or professional musicians perform. Take them to movies that show musicians in a positive light, such as "Music of the Heart."
  • When seeking private lessons, find a qualified teacher you can talk to easily. Ask about the teacher's philosophy of education and ask to speak to some of the teacher's current students or their parents. Make sure the student is comfortable with the teacher.

Middle school parents

  • Help the student set up a regular time every day to practice.
  • Help them establish a routine, (this may require some consultation with the teacher). A typical practice routine of 30 to 45 minutes might include:
    • Warmup (1-4 minutes)
    • Play a fun, familiar piece (5-10 minutes)
    • Work on a new or challenging piece (11-17 minutes)
    • Work on technical requirements, such as scales or other technique builders (18-24 minutes)
    • Play something fun to conclude the session
  • Help the student understand that playing only familiar songs will not help them improve.
  • Explain to the student that learning happens in stages. Sometimes, the student will work on something for a long time without apparent improvement and then discover a sudden leap in ability. Other times, learning happens very quickly. The important thing to stress is that consistent practice will yield results.
  • Help the young musician set practice goals. Keeping a journal, not just a practice chart, helps track the peaks and valleys of learning a new piece or improving fundamental skills.
  • As a parent, do not be too quick to judge the musical quality of the student’s practice. Learning an instrument requires lots of squeaks, scratches and wrong notes. Trust that the instructor will give plenty of constructive criticism throughout the year. 
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