2. Vaughn Choir Proud to harmonize with Cora Voce!

3. Cora Voce Grant 2014-15 Like an unforgettable duet, our partnership has made a lasting impact in the lives of elementary musicians at Vaughn Elementary School. Cora Voce’s commitment to building community by supporting young musicians has enhanced quality music education, deepened awareness of the value of music, facilitated inspirational experiences, and encouraged feelings of belonging.

4. Sixty percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and twenty-five percent are in some sort of special education category. Many are not financially able to attend music, art, or dance class outside of the school setting. Vaughn Elementary serves about 430 students and is located in a rural area of the Key Peninsula, west of Gig Harbor.

5. Some of the most expressive singers and dynamic performers are also the ones in need of intense academic intervention. Enjoyment of music gives balance to their lives.

6. Hi! I’m Lisa Mills. Welcome to the Vaughn Elementary Music Room!

7. A quality vocal music program allows our students to shine.

8. The General Music curriculum includes singing, reading and writing music, drum circle style percussion, xylophones, recorder, concerts, movement and ukulele, and while aligned to district, state and national standards, it is also based on FUN! Students in grades K-5 have music class twice a week. Fourth and fifth graders also have access to extracurricular ensembles for drums and xylophones and are eligible to join the Vaughn Choir.

9. 2015 Cora Voce Partnership Randy and Laurie Spitzer were guest clinicians at Vaughn Choir rehearsals several times. They offered support, advice and encouragement as we prepared for the spring concerts with Cora Voce. Through these rehearsals, Vaughn Choir members made a personal connection with Randy and Laurie and it made the final concerts so meaningful. The experience of the final concert was also pivotal for our young musicians. At St. Andrews Episcopal and Fox Island United Church of Christ, Vaughn Choir members had the opportunity to see the professional performance of Cora Voce, directed by the impressive Randy Spitzer. We performed a few songs of our own, and the concert culminated with a joint performance of the two choirs singing “The Water is Wide”. The music was spectacular!

10. The financial generosity of Cora Voce facilitated the purchase of the following quality items for the Vaughn music program.

11. Five pairs of felt mallets for xylophones. Below is the debut performance of new mallets at the Whole Note Huskies spring xylophone concert.

12. 60 Choral Folders The privilege of using these folders is exclusively for Vaughn Choir Members.

13. 6 Remo Djembes

14. Students practice reading and playing rhythms. Drumming improves timing, focus and coordination.

15. They really love to drum!!

16. Did I mention that they really really love to drum!!

17. Three sections of Wenger Signature Choral risers with side rails and back rails.

18. These are easily folded up when we do movement activities. The protective back rail and side rails keep our students from falling off. I’m not sure who is more happy about the safety railings: our school nurse or myself!! The wide stair treads are also much safer. Four stairs keep large performance groups compact and in my line of sight.

19. All classes learn to stand properly on risers, and use them in music class. Here are some of our Kindergarten students using egg shakers to practice reading their quarter notes, quarter rests and eighth notes.

20. $300 is left in the budget to purchase octavos for the Vaughn Choir during the 2015-16 school year.

21. Strong music education promotes skills necessary for success in life, and studies have concluded that exposure to arts education promotes self-directed learning, creativity and innovation. Music supports core academics, gives amazing joy, a reason to stay in school and lifelong skills to create, perform and respond to the arts.

22. We are honored that Cora Voce saw the potential in the students at Vaughn Elementary. Thank you to Cora Voce and all your supporters for facilitating opportunities and providing financial support to the next generation of musicians! We will never forget the experience of partnering with you this year!