At Arts and Athletics, music instruction is essential to the core of our afterschool programming: across our four sites, we offer eight afterschool ensembles, and our private instructors teach over 100 private lessons a week. These ensembles include Music Workshop for grades K-3, Instrumental Ensemble for grades 3-5, Beginner and Advanced Trumpet, Wind Ensemble, and a Jazz Ensemble. Our fabulous private instructors, including graduates of prestigious institutions such as Juilliard, the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, the Manhattan School of Music, the Berklee College of Music, and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, teach a diverse repertoire on a wide range of instruments, including all major brass, woodwind, string, and percussion instruments.
The diversity of our music offerings is not limited to afterschool ensembles and lessons; we regularly program a Performing Arts summer camp, educational workshops, student/faculty collaborative concerts, and a monthly jam session with the MS 54 Jazz Ensemble and their fantastic director, Dan Fagen. We believe that frequent performance opportunities, especially when teachers and students have the opportunity to share the stage together, are essential to the growth of our students.
Teacher training is one of the essentials to our music program; our teachers are not simply “thrown to the wolves” when it comes to classroom managment, lesson planning, and curriculum development. Our instructors have access to music pedagogy workshops with some of the finest music educators in Manhattan, and develop these skills essential to running a successful elementary music class through participation in a wide variety of our non-music afterschool classes (running, chess, study time, sports, etc). Our instructors are constantly learning alongside their students on how to best create the conditions for an afterschool music class where students feel fulfilled, challenged, engaged, and motivated to continue their musical journeys.
See below for bios of our instructors and details about private lessons. Visit this space and be on the lookout for emails and newsletters publicizing all upcoming programs as we roll them out. For a list of upcoming faculty performances click here.
Performing Arts Summer Camp
Parents have asked us to include instrumental music instruction as part of our summer time offerings. And we’re totally psyched to do so! Click here to learn more! As you’ll see from the bios below, our music staff are a multi-talented bunch, masters of their instruments, but also great teachers and coaches in a wide range of activities from math to soccer! Each day of summer camp will involve one-on-one instruction on their instruments, workshops on music notation and composition, and sessions on music appreciation where students will be exposed to recordings and biographies of the legends. The price for coverage from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday is $600, the same price as ten half-hour private lessons, and in summer it will include the full range of camp activities. Our hope is to create momentum during the summer that will carry over to the school year starting in September. Is your student ready to take his or her playing to the next level…and then level after that?!
Afterschool Ensembles
Across our three schools, we offer a variety of afterschool ensemble classes. The ensembles are taught by our world class faculty, where students learn a variety of musical skills such as blending in a section, reading music off of a staff, learning new notes, rhythmic synchronization, and developing a repertoire. At P.S. 009, we offer advanced trumpet, beginner trumpet, and wind ensemble. At P.S. 452 and P.S. 334, we offer an instrumental ensemble class, and a “music workshop” designed for younger students to develop the fundamental skills they need to participate successfully in a group ensemble. Each ensemble will present three end-of-cycle performances throughout the school year, to an audience of classmates, friends, and family.
For a young person, there is truly no experience comparable to that of playing music as part of a group. The sense of community that comes from making music with others is a truly priceless experience. Beyond learning to play an instrument, young people develop a wide range of essential life skills—many of them unrelated to music itself. Participating in music strengthens motor skills, supports academic achievement, enhances memory, builds confidence, and fosters collaboration, communication, and other important social skills. These benefits extend far beyond the rehearsal room and can have a lasting positive impact throughout life. For more details on our afterschool ensembles, please check out our course offerings page.
Study Time Jam
During the regular school year, those students studying a musical instrument during the school day—trumpet, clarinet, violin, percussion, and recorder—can use part of their afterschool “Study Time” to practice their instruments under the supervision of some of the finest music educators in New York City. Increasing the amount of time children spend, instruments in hand and with the support of their peers and the virtuoso players on our staff, will help to build the foundation of an exemplary elementary school music program.
Music COORDINATOR
Simon Mogul is our Instrumental Music Coordinator at Arts & Athletics. He helps with scheduling private music lessons as well as music camps, coordinating with our music teachers and our participating families. Simon organizes the monthly Sunday Instrumental Music Workshops and Music Camps as well as our eight-week Summer Music Camp. We are committed to growing our Instrumental Music Program to offer more classes and more opportunities for students to enjoy playing music. To encourage music practice, we now offer Study Time Jam at PS 9, PS 334 and PS 452. We are dedicated to providing a music program where students can not only learn to play and understand music, but they can also have a supportive place to make friends and to feel that they belong to.
For help scheduling private lessons or inquiries about upcoming camps and music events please contact Simon. Email: music@artsandathletics.org Phone: 914-529-9251
Meet Our Faculty
Our instructors are experienced musicians and educators dedicated to helping students grow in a fun, supportive environment.
View Our Music Faculty