It’s music to our ears: MacPhail Center grant funds music instruction at Nicollet Middle School

Thanks to a grant through the MacPhail Center for Music called the Noteworthy Instruction Program, orchestra students at Nicollet Middle School have been able to receive an additional 25 hours of targeted music instruction this year. 

Orchestra teacher Scott Kosloski submitted the grant application and partnered with MacPhail orchestra lesson specialist James Castaneda to supplement his classroom with personalized learning. The partnership with MacPhail targets students who are at risk of dropping orchestra due to barriers in learning or practice time. 

"It's been a great addition to have James work with our students,” said Kosloski. “He brings a refreshing perspective and a great teaching style that the students really enjoy. As a teacher, it's also nice to see great, knowledgeable teaching in my discipline that I can emulate in my daily classroom routines.”

He added: “A big thanks goes out as well to Principal Carolyn Allston Trenteetun for her partnership and encouragement on the grant approval process. This has been a great experience for our student musicians!”

In District 191, orchestra is offered at both Nicollet and Eagle Ridge middle schools, as well as Burnsville High School. As part of the Performing Arts K-12 pathway in District 191, orchestra experiences start in 5th grade, when all students have the opportunity to explore both band and string instruments, as well as small group lessons during a two-week unit. The experience helps spark students' interest and understanding of instrumental music, and has led to growing enrollment in middle school orchestra over the past few years.

About the Noteworthy Instruction Program

A component of MacPhail’s Project Amplify, the Noteworthy Instruction Program was started in the 2023-2024 school year for schools with high needs and limited budgets. In its first year, it reached over 400 Twin Cities metro area students with sectional coaching, individual lessons, group classes and music production courses. The average cost for programming was $3,750 and was provided at no cost to partner schools. 

Learn more at www.macphail.org/music-education-project-amplify.