The Burlington Public Schools offers a variety of required and optional music classes and ensembles that teach the skills and knowledge required to appreciate and enjoy a live time of music. On some levels, all students are featured to get a taste of performing. On other levels, students gain the higher level of study required for careers in music teaching, composing, and performing. Regardless of what level of study, all students are encouraged in a positive and motivating style by a professional staff of talented and experienced music educators.

Music is a powerful artistic language. It communicates emotions as well as thoughts and ideas. Through this organized sound, people are moved to feel joy, sadness, anger, and more. These feelings inspire many people to dance, laugh, and cry. By playing or singing music, many people feel a release of feelings. But before this can happen, one needs to put the time and effort into learning music. The language of written and aural music, the skills in performing music, the knowledge of the compositional forms all contributes to an enhanced level of enjoyment.

By spending the time and effort on improving one’s musical ability, one is learning other skills. Studies have shown that students who study music do better in math and language. After all, music is written in a language of mathematical symbols. The symbols indicate duration, harmony, and pitch. The musician then takes these symbols and brings them to life adding emotion. Music is a culmination of math, science, and language, which results in artistic emotion. To be a good musician, students need to develop reading, singing, listening, performing, and movement skills. In addition, by playing in an ensemble of musicians, one develops a sense of teamwork, and the ability to follow a leader. The leader conducts the group using physical movement. (Conducting). These skills help students in all aspects of learning.

The Burlington Public Schools’ Music Department consists of a teaching staff of 12, in 6 buildings throughout the town. The Music Coordinator is located in the High School. There is a part time Music Secretary. The staff is consistently updating the curriculum. The staff attends professional development training periodically to maintain their skills as musicians and as educators.