Saint Anne School

Music Program

History

Saint Anne School was founded in 1908 with the mission to provide a quality education option for the then largely migrant farm-workers in the community. Saint Anne School has maintained its commitment to provide the highest quality education for all, including exercising a preferential option for the less fortunate. While proud of its rich Latino heritage, SAS is now, and always has been, a community welcoming people of all backgrounds. Saint Anne School is Santa Monica’s only Title I nonpublic school, with at least 40% of families qualifying as low income.

Since 2010, SOL-LA has provided free music instruction and instruments to all TK–8th grade students attending Saint Anne School.

The SAS/SOL-LA music program began in 2010 with a fourth grade class of 18 beginning violin students and has grown rapidly to now serve all SAS students from Kindergarten through eighth grade, providing free music  and instruments to all. The SAS/SOL-LA program begins annually in September  and continues through to June.

Philosophy

The teaching philosophy at the heart of the program is to provide a positive and unique musical experience that will enrich both the lives of students and their families. 

SOL- LA’s faculty are leaders in pedagogy, are highly accomplished, and are experienced performing artists from the nation’s top music schools. Faculty are dedicated to teaching, assessment, and research, as well as enhancing the program and keeping it relevant to students.

The SOL-LA/SAS Program

The program begins with the Orff-Schulwerk mallet and percussion method of instruction in SAS Kindergarten through second grade. The Orff method provides a rich opportunity for interaction between children with many different learning styles.

Following the three years of Orff-Schulwerk training, the students are introduced to instrumental string instruction. In third through sixth grade, students may opt for instruction in violin, viola, cello or music appreciation.

The SOL-LA/SAS program centers on the idea that integrated music curriculum should be a fundamental part of any student’s education. More specifically, it should be foundational as opposed to supplemental. That the music curriculum is integrated into SAS’s curriculum with the full support of the administration and that every student at SAS participates in a music class provides a unique opportunity to also evaluate the efficacy of the program in the SAS’s community. .

SOL-LA’s comprehensive music program at Saint Anne School provides:

• Group classes in Orff Schulwerk, Music Appreciation, Beginning and Intermediate Strings, Chamber Music and the Saint Anne School Orchestra

• String instruments, fitted and loaned to students for the duration of the school year

• Collaborative performance opportunities with other SOL-LA students

• The opportunity for students to attend masterclasses, workshops and recitals on the SOL-LA campus, and take SOL-LA Group Classes with substantial financial assistance

At the end of each semester, the students perform what they have learned in a live presentation. 

Goals

The music education program at SAS has multiple goals defined both by the school and by SOL-LA. Overall, the program seeks to deliver sustained, quality instrumental and music education to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, at no cost to its students.

SOL-LA’s program ensures that music infuses the day-to-day lives of Saint Anne School’s students. SOL-LA’s program is so well received that it has attracted new students to enroll in Saint Anne School.