Program Description:

Instrumental Music in Cartwright has a long, rich history of performance in our schools and community. We have band and string programs beginning in the fourth grade. The middle schools and junior band have highs, strings, guitar, piano, theory, small ensembles and we are beginning Marichi programs at certain schools. There are a variety of high-quality instruments available at each school for rent at the low price of $20 a year. Each school has ample percussion equipment, stands, pianos, storage, practice rooms, stages, and the like, in order to create a professional band and strings-specific practice space.

Performance Highlights:

Our groups play twice a year or more for their local campus and have also performed for the Phoenix Suns, Major League Baseball Spring Training, European Tours,  numerous community events, Greater Phoenix Honor Groups, and All-State Honor Groups.

Instructors:

Our band and string directors come from diverse musical backgrounds across the country and have a wealth of experience teaching both band and strings, winds, brass, and percussion. We train our teachers numerous times through the year with exemplary local and national specialists, in order to ensure they are current on the best practices in the field. Many of our directors are involved in local semi-professional performing groups, such as Arizona Winds, GCC band, North Valley Symphony, and the like. Several directors play in Phoenix-based rock, jazz, and pop groups as well.

Special Events:

We offer field trips to the Music Instrument Museum, The Phoenix Symphony, and many other opportunities to stretch students' music experience. Our students also participate in a yearly String Festival, where top students from around the district play in a giant string orchestra. We have a special Summer Arts program, to encourage our students to improve all year long.