Music Residencies

Whether African drumming, hip-hop or opera, Arts Horizons Music residencies engage students through interactive experiences where they develop artistry, cooperative skills, and an understanding of the universal language of music. Participants discover their own expressive voice in these residencies while learning music fundamentals and other cross-curricular skills. Music residencies can culminate in showcase events for students to perform their new talents.


Sample Music Residencies


  • Drumming from Africa and Other Lands: Build teamwork and communication skills as students learn to play djembe, bongo and conga drums, shekeres, claves or other ethnic percussion instruments.  Instrument making and/or a culminating performance may be included.  Excellent for ESL and Special Education students. 

    Curriculum Links: Mathematics, English, Social Studies
    Grades K–12


  • Songwriting: Create original lyrics or modify familiar songs around a curricular theme or special focus, through writing exercises, rhyming games, free association and more. An excellent vehicle for improving self-expression and building literacy skills.

    Curriculum Link: Language Arts
    Grades K–8


  • Play the Recorder: Children master fingering and rhythm skills and the rudiments of reading music, and learn how to assemble and care for instruments. Excellent for improving math skills, particularly counting and fractions.

    Curriculum Link: Math
    Grades 3–5


  • Composing and Recording: A professional recording musician teaches students to create rhythms, document the sounds of their community, make instruments and write their own music. Using computer software and recording equipment, students will be able to create their own quality pieces of music

    Curriculum Links: Writing, Mathematics
    Grades K–12


  • Chorus: Students learn the rudiments of choral music, including pitch and range recognition, phrasing and harmony through various singing techniques such as breathing, pronunciation and vocal exercises.  Song material may be linked to curriculum topics, school themes or historical events.  Professional clinics are available for school choirs.

    Curriculum Links: Language Arts, Social Studies
    Grades K-12


  • Instrumental Workshops and Clinics:  Music students of all levels will learn and refine technique and performance skills with some of America's finest musicians, many of whom play in Broadway shows or with renowned orchestras and bands.

    Curriculum Link: Social Studies
    Grades 3-12


  • Opera or Musical Theatre: Write your own opera or musical show, or adapt one such as The Magical Flute or Annie. Focus on a specific discipline: voice, dance, set design, acting, play and/or lyric writing, create a cabaret/revue, or a full-length performance with sets and costumes. Suitable for in-class or Out-of-School time. (May require several different artists).

    Curriculum Links: Language Arts, Social Studies
    Grade 3-12


  • Advanced Musical Technology: Explore musical techniques that reach beyond the traditional music curriculum, such as podcasting, and composition using ecological sounds.

    Curriculum Links: Technology
    Grade 4-12