Music Education

The district's Music Education Program provides support services for all elementary and secondary schools. The focus of the various programs, including band, choral music, general music, harp and orchestra is to develop comprehensive musicianship.

The support and encouragement of district administrators and the community have been instrumental in helping the music program evolve to a high level of excellence. The real benefactors are the young musicians who bring their talents and skills to their peers, teachers, parents and the entire community.

A special kind of learning takes place in music classes that impacts the intellectual and emotional development of our students. Ultimately, we want each student to become the best person possible. Music education offers a pathway to this educational destination. We truly believe that a grounding in the arts will help the children of Mesa grow wiser and become solid, productive citizens for life.

Special Performances

Approximately 150 fifth graders participate each year in the MPS General Music Curriculum Festival. The students sing, play instruments and dance to musical selections derived from lessons included in the General Music Curriculum.

MPS music students (elementary through high school) participate in approximately two hundred performances for the community each year during the month of December.

The high school communities, in conjunction with their junior highs and elementary feeder schools, hold joint performances. These concerts help promote continuity within the music programs.

2009 All-State

More than one quarter of the music students who participated in the 2009 All-State Music Festival of Honor were from Mesa Public Schools. 117 outstanding music students from the district’s junior and senior high schools served as ambassadors for MPS. They competed against hundreds of talented musicians from across the state to prevail as state champions. Their success is a testimony to the excellent teaching that takes place in music rooms across the district. Further analysis showed that MPS students earned: 

• 33% of the All-State Choir placements (based on 200 total members)
• 25% of the All-State Symphony Orchestra placements (based on 113 members)
• 19% of the All-State Band placements (based on 123 members)

All-State participation is a high achievement, but the status of first chair is even higher. The following MPS students served as first chair All-State musicians:

• Collin Carter, Dobson First chair trombone, , Band
• Jenna Goodman, Red Mountain First chair oboe, Orchestra
• Lisa Hedlund, Dobson First chair french horn, Band
• Sergio Manzo, Dobson First chair bass, Choir
• Jamie Peterson, Westwood First chair alto, Choir
• Jeffrey Ruffcorn, Dobson First chair bass clarinet, Band
• Carolyn Snyder, Dobson First chair viola, Orchestra

Music Education Office Staff

Coordinator, Ruth Argabright                           Contact Ruth

Band Specialist, Janel Huyett                          Contact Janel

Orchestra Specialist, Richard Chelpka          Contact Richard

General Music Specialist, Stephen Wibe      Contact Stephen

Harp Specialist, Karen Miller                           Contact Karen

Choir Specialist, Jeff Harris                             Contact Jeff 

Secretary, Julie Elliott                                       Contact Julie