Music

Bushwick Magnet Multimedia and Arts Academy recognizes the importance the arts play in students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Music gives students a creative outlet to express themselves and showcase their strengths. At P.S. 86, the music curriculum is tied to New York City Public School’s Blueprint for the Arts and exposes students to a variety of genres and musical styles.

 

Beginning in kindergarten, students experience music through a hands-on, movement-based approach as they begin learning basic music notation. As they enter 1st grade, students learn to read and recognize more advanced rhythms. By 2nd grade and up, they are incorporating more advanced music notation concepts like pitch and dynamics. Students learn to read music alongside learning various instruments, beginning with percussion instruments like rhythm sticks and drums, then moving to pitched instruments like the recorder and violin. Students who are proficient at reading music may move to new instruments like trumpet, clarinet, or alto saxophone. By the end of their time at P.S. 86, students will have had the opportunity to learn multiple instruments and become proficient at reading music notation.

 

Students have multiple performance opportunities throughout the school year, like the Winter Show and the Spring Show. Students also perform at each honor roll assembly to bring school pride to these events through sharing music. Additionally, kindergarten students perform at their Stepping Up Ceremony, and 5th-grade students perform at their Final Assembly, both held in June.