[NSD] – The Newhall School District will present its 2011 Winter Concerts on Monday, Dec. 19, at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Pico Canyon Elementary School. The Orchestra and Chorus of the following schools will be performing: Meadows, Newhall, Oak Hills, Pico Canyon, Valencia Valley, Old Orchard, Stevenson Ranch, McGrath, Peachland and Wiley Canyon. A $3 donation is requested at the door.

The Newhall School District has maintained an instrumental music program for over 30 years, a unique accomplishment in an era when budget cuts have decimated arts programming at the elementary level. Over 800 students participate in the instrumental program and another 800+ students are members of the school choruses.

“Music accesses the brain in a unique way which is most beneficial during elementary years. Performance opportunities also allow students to work with others towards a common goal and get used to being in front of an audience,” said Peggi Stoffel, Orchestra Teacher for the Newhall School District.

The Newhall School District Winter Concerts will feature a variety of music from different cultures and time periods in accordance with California State Board Of Education Music Content standards. Not only does this expose students to different musical styles, but it provides a varied and interesting program for the audience.

Music Makers is an organization that supports the Newhall School District Music program. This music program serves all 10 schools in the district. K-2 students receive classroom music instruction. Third graders receive instruction on recorders as well as classroom music instruction. Fourth through sixth grade students have the option of joining the chorus and/or learning to play an instrument. The Music Makers Program provides salary support for music teachers, volunteers at all concerts and events, funds for instrument repair and acquisition, as well as care for over 500 instruments which are district owned and loaned to students each year. This program raised a total of $45,000 last year.

Elizabeth Abrahamson, president of the Music Makers PTA said, “The reason I am a music teacher today is because of the instruction, enthusiasm and support of the NSD music program. Without the support of this PTA, our administrators, parents and community leaders, the music program would fail to function at this pivotal time in our economy. As a student, the music program gave me memories that will last a lifetime, as an adult, I hope to be able to give those memories to today’s students.”

For additional information contact Monica Solis-Kaplan at 661-877-6486, or visit the website at www.nsdmusicmakers.com.