Welcome to Music Class, Glad You’re Here

Welcome to Music Class, Glad You’re Here

By Lesley Baird, ETM-LA Music Teacher Mentor

With the days of summer and some much-needed rest behind me, I feel recharged and refreshed for a brand-new school year. One of my favorite parts of going back to school is creating a warm and welcoming space for my students. I love transforming a plain classroom into a place of wonder, curiosity, and musical magic. From the Music Word Wall and colorful boomwhackers to the rainbow rug and classroom instruments on display, the music room is a place of exploration. Even the instruments, which have been tucked away and “asleep” all summer, seem eager to be dusted off and played by young musicians again. Before long, the quiet classrooms and hallways will be filled with singing, laughter, and the sounds of instruments.

I love creating musical moments with my students from the moment they enter the room to the moment they leave. There is nothing quite like hearing the students’ reactions when they enter the music room for the first time—the “wow”s, the smiles, and the eyes full of excitement as they take it all in.

Stepping back onto campus each fall always feels a little like returning home. Students greet me in the hallways with excited calls of “Hello, Ms. B!” and teachers are just as eager to welcome music back into the school day. There is such a wonderful feeling in knowing that our students are excited to return and make music together. A new school year means new students, new songs, new ensembles, and so many musical memories waiting to be made. I can’t wait to see what this year brings!

Education Through Music-Los Angeles is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide and promote music in under-resourced schools as part of the core curriculum for every child in order to enhance students’ academic achievement, creativity, and overall development.
For more information: www.etmla.org