Music

In Music, students cultivate a set of artistic dispositions that will enable them to grow and develop as lifelong learners. Student choice and voice are essential components of the Music program, where all members of the community have the opportunity to develop craft, engage and persist, envision, express, observe, reflect, stretch, explore, and come to understand the art world.

Kindergarteners learn keyboarding, percussion, dance, singing, and ukulele skills, which become more sophisticated throughout their grade school years at MSES. In second grade, students start to play acoustic and electric guitar. In third grade, our emphasis is on violin, and every student has their own instrument. Fourth graders learn to play the natural horn, and in fifth grade, students have the chance to focus on an instrument of choice or continue exploring their many musical options.

music

Elizabeth Lawson, Music Teacher
As a young pianist growing up in California, Elizabeth Lawson knew she wanted to teach music. She graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1986, and followed up with an MA degree in Special Education from UCCS in 1990. In addition to listening to and playing music, Elizabeth enjoys an active life with her family, skiing, hiking, biking and traveling, as well as quieter pursuits like yoga and reading.

Partnering with organizations like Music and the Brain, Manitou Springs Arts Academy, Classics for Kids Foundation, The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, Ormao Dance Company, The Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Colorado Ballet, The Carnegie Foundation, Pikes Peak Community College, Little Kids Rock, and Can’dAid, she has brought many new musical opportunities to kids at MSES. Some of these include a keyboard lab, a strings program, natural horns, singing opportunities at the Pikes Peak Center, Dance, and Rock & Roll as part of the regular music curriculum.