Preserve Elementary Ensembles as the Foundation of ESD’s Musical Excellence

Preserve Elementary Ensembles as the Foundation of ESD’s Musical Excellence

“Now I’m a clarinet professor at Western Washington University, and play music professionally in the Seattle area, with two kids of my own in 1st and 4th grade. When I found out our Edmonds School District was considering cutting the 5th-grade band and orchestra program, I was shocked. Don’t we have some of the best instrumental music programs in the state? Don’t people realize how crucial elementary ensembles are to recruiting and retaining ensemble enrollment? Isn’t it important?” MLT community resident and music educator, Rachel Yoder, shares why music programs are worth saving.
April 22, 2024
April 17 Save The Music Community Meeting Follow Up

April 17 Save The Music Community Meeting Follow Up

I'm sharing information from last Wednesday's Save The Music Community Meeting. We had a great turnout and look forward to more parents voicing their concern. Please share as appropriate. Below are resources we referenced that you can use to educate yourself further on the potential cuts to music teachers/classes, state unfunded mandates, Arts Endowment Fund, and more.  Please show up this Tuesday, April 23, at 6:30pm for the ESD School Board Meeting! We realize that some music teachers can not actively engage in this advocacy. We hear you and we are working for you!  Presentation View the presentation from the April 17...
April 19, 2024
Metal Drive on April 27

Metal Drive on April 27

We want you to drop off all your metal materials! The Metals Drive supports the Mountlake Terrace High School Music Program. Just pull up and drop off! You win and music education wins!  April 27, 20249am - 2pmMountlake Terrace High School, 21801 44th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace, WA Metal Materials Accepted The following is a general list of materials* accepted by DTG. For the most part, if it's made of metal, it is acceptable*: AppliancesRefrigeratorsWashersMicrowavesGrillsWater HeatersCar PartsCar RimsCar BaggeriesYard EquipmentLawn MowersWeed EatersTrimmers*Must be drained of all liquidComputer PartsLaptopsCell PhonesGaming SystemsPower CordsChargersNon-Ferrous MetalsCopperAluminumStainless SteelBrassMetal FurnitureChairsBed FramesTV StandsTables* No computer screens, tv...
April 12, 2024
Save The Music Community Meeting

Save The Music Community Meeting

The Mountlake Terrace High School Music Boosters and Edmonds Woodway High School Music Boosters invite you to the "Save The Music" virtual meeting on April 17. All Edmonds School District elementary, middle, and high school parents and interested community members are welcome to hear parent advocates speak about proposed music cuts to band, jazz, orchestra, and choir classes. This is an opportunity to learn how we got here, actions you can take to support music programs, and ask questions.  Registration is required. Please register at https://shorturl.at/hlsKQ Save The Music Meeting Wednesday, April 17 7pm-8pm Virtual [Register to receive a link...
April 10, 2024
Edmonds School District enrollment numbers for 5th and 6th grade band and orchestra

Can Music Education Comeback After COVID?

Remember how challenging remote learning was in 2020 and 2021? Have we blocked it all out? It’s been good to find some normalcy post-COVID but we know things will never be the same as before. And we don’t want it to be the same - we want things to get better, especially for our kids.  Music and the performing arts were some of the hardest hit classes during the pandemic. Schools were closed and classes were moved online. While none of it was easy, being able to learn and play music at home, over a computer, was pretty miserable for...
April 8, 2024
VIDEO: Jazz 1 Performing at Hot Java Cool Jazz

VIDEO: Jazz 1 Performing at Hot Java Cool Jazz

On Friday, March 29, 3,000 people at the sold out 27th Annual Starbucks’ Hot Java Cool Jazz experienced a phenomenal performance from our Jazz 1. Jazz 1 shared the stage with Edmonds-Woodway, Garfield, Mount Si, and Roosevelt High Schools for an exhilarating evening of jazz from some of the top high school jazz bands in the Puget Sound area. Enjoy watching Jazz 1 perform A Little Minor Booze, Trav'lin' Light, The Sunny Side of the Street, and Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! https://youtu.be/KmCoeCTlV2g?si=J0V_g-DPgmWpxfpP During the Hot Java Cool Jazz concert, short videos with interviews of the musicians and directors were...
April 4, 2024
Video: Chamber Winds and Symphonic Band Perform at SnoKing Band Festival

Video: Chamber Winds and Symphonic Band Perform at SnoKing Band Festival

On March 21, 2024, our Chamber Winds and Symphonic Band performed at the annual SnoKing (SKMEA) Band Festival. This year it was held at Kamiak High School. Watch our Chamber Winds perform Kivgik (Messenger), Partita for Band, and Illumination. https://youtu.be/YjGX6voFQlE?si=fHvfavLazJOUf4Vi Watch our Symphonic Band perform Congolese, Celtic Voyage, and Fanfare for Justice. https://youtu.be/qVhD8ATC-Ms?si=FV1H5lpG3NPAv-nn
April 4, 2024
Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Band wins back-to-back top honors at the Newport Jazz Festival

Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Band wins back-to-back top honors at the Newport Jazz Festival

For the second year in a row, the Mountlake Terrace High School’s Jazz Ensemble 1 (Jazz 1) took home top honors at the Newport Jazz Festival at Newport High School in Bellevue.  Last Saturday, Jazz 1 won the 3A Division and the festival’s Sweepstakes Award, recognized as the festival’s best jazz ensemble. Jazz 1 competed on Saturday evening in the finals along with Bothell High School, Interlake High School, Glacier Peak High School, and Shorewood High School. Mountlake Terrace High School High School Symphonic “Jazz” also participated Saturday morning against a strong group of competitors in the 2A Division. “I...
April 3, 2024
2024 Summer Music Camps Around Puget Sound and Beyond

2024 Summer Music Camps Around Puget Sound and Beyond

The summer will be here before we know it and no one wants to be sitting around. No matter what instrument you play, there are music camps available to you! Here is a list, though not comprehensive, for you to consider this summer. You’ll need to click the link to see prices, specific dates, and other information regarding requirements.  Are we missing a camp targeted for at least a high school age musician? Let us know and we’ll add it.  Edmonds School District Summer Music School June 27 - July 19 Location: Mountlake Terrace High School https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/programs-services/art-music-theater/music-dept/summer-music-school Cascade Youth Symphony...
April 3, 2024
Save The Music. Mountlake Terrace High School.

Learning To Advocate For Music

Mountlake Terrace High School music parents rally in support of music in April 2023. When my son was struggling in 1st grade, a friend of mine who is also an elementary school teacher told me, “Advocate for your child because no one else will”. That statement was impactful because it helped me better embrace the ownership I have in my child’s education. Understanding our public education system and state funding is a lot of work. It’s complex and ever changing, just like the needs of our students. I realized that if I want something for my child, I need to...
March 27, 2024