The sounds of music - from classical to classic rock - frequently fill the air at Coyote Hills Elementary School, and on May 16 the school hosted an unusual concert featuring both professional and student musicians.

The Junior Symphony Guild, under the direction of conductor Tom Jensen, performed one of its renowned 'Inside the Orchestra' concerts. The Junior Symphony Guild is a non-profit organization that provides unique music education programs to introduce children to symphonic and orchestral music and cultivate music appreciation among youngsters.

Students sat in the middle of the gym, surrounded by a dozen musicians playing violins, violas, cellos, bass, oboe, bassoon, French horns and timpani drums. The concert captured the students' attention with a wide range of musical selections, from Beethoven's "Symphony #5" to the theme song from "The Simpsons."

Then Coyote Hills' own Percussion Ensemble performed a piece inspired by Carl Orff's "Street Song." The piece was written by the Percussion Ensemble members and arranged for orchestra by Coyote Hills' music teacher Paul Cribari. Students in the ensemble meet after school to learn how to play several percussion instruments, including drums and xylophones.

The concert wrapped up with a rousing rendition of the Coyote Hills school song, performed by the staff and student school band.

Music is prominent at Coyote Hills in part because the school has an impressive Before and After School Program with an arts and science focus. About 150 kids, or nearly 30 percent of the total school population, take part in the program, which offers both 'homework club' and enrichment activities including Percussion Ensemble, guitar and piano instruction, choir, a dance troupe, Reptile Club, Multi-Media Club, and much more. The program was started by Principal Jim McDevitt when the school opened two years ago.

"I believe the arts and sciences are critical - that's the future for our kids," said McDevitt. "We're using our Before and After School Program to support and extend what is going in class during the regular school day, and give students more opportunity to be innovative and creative, skills they will need to succeed in the 21 st century."

Parents love the program because it provides both daycare and academic and artistic enrichment for their children. Research shows that before and after school programs help kids do better in school and avoid at-risk behaviors. The kids love it too - mostly because it's fun!

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