Instrumental Music is offered in all of the Racine Unified School District Schools. Students can start playing string instruments such as violins, violas and cellos in the second grade as part of a Suzuki style program at Gifford K-8 school, Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary and Gilmore Fine Arts.
This program requires parent involvement and takes place before, during or afterschool hours at the three schools and an instrument rental if you do not own one.
In the fourth grade students can start in the string lesson program at every elementary school in Racine. Students interested in band instruments can start in 5th grade at every elementary school. Band and orchestra students may also start in 6th grade at all middle schools in the district.
All of our middle schools and high schools offer band and orchestra programs and a variety of other instrumental activities including jazz bands, pep bands, drum lines and smaller different style string ensembles.
Each school sets its own concerts throughout the year with dates and times posted on their website.
District events include the District Jazz Festival, Solo Ensemble Contest, Large Group Band and Orchestra Contests. Switching off every year there is a district wide Orchestra Festival and Band A Rama.
