Excelsus Music Collaborators, Inc.

Excelsus School Programs offer the best of music collaboration: high school and college age music students of exceptional talent work under the supervision of Excelsus educators to mentor young people with similar music interests.

• For mentors, hands-on teaching experience can increase college opportunities and help launch lifelong careers in music education.
• For students, exposure to experienced and successful musicians can help pave an educational career path. Over time, mentors also provide positive role models who demonstrate the benefits of study and dedication.
• For families, the mentor model offers a trial period for gauging the student’s desire to continue with music. In addition, parents can choose to continue the mentor relationship through private lessons.

Emerson Parkside Academy Charter School
2625 Josie Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815
Excelsus is in its second season of offering programs on-site at Emerson and we are excited to be coordinating and teaching their entire Music Program. We offer:

• Hand chimes: Monday from 1:15 -2:15pm
Excelsus teaches two 30 minute Hand chime lessons to the Special Learners at Emerson. These classes are taught by Director of Programs, Roger Przytulski.

• Percussion Ensemble: Monday 2:45 - 3:45pm
We are thrilled to be offering this class taught by a Professional Percussionist helped by several Long Beach Unified High School Percussionists. Through a cash collection at Emerson's Winter Concert, Excelsus was able to purchase 5 new percussion instruments for this ensemble.

• String Ensemble: Tuesday 2:45 - 3:45pm
Due to the overwhelming interest in this class, we have not one, but TWO Professional String Players working with this string ensemble!

• Chorus: Wednesday 2:45 - 3:45pm
This experience will rock your young singer's world. With pianist, Bill Steck and Choral Conductor Jen Mariska Pratt, our singers learn to read music and sing beautifully!

• Guitar Class: Wednesday
3:05 - 3:45pm Advanced Guitar
3:45 - 4:30pm Beginning Guitar
This is a "Parent Pay" class at Emerson and the response has been (almost) overwhelming. With so many students enrolled in the program, the class has been divided into two groups being taught by Professional Guitarists, Jimmy Cheesman and Donovan Raitt. Class size will be limited this year so register early.

• Ethnic Drumming Circle: Wednesday 3:45 - 4:30pm
We are thrilled to be offering this class taught by a Professional Percussionist helped by several Long Beach Unified High School Percussionists. Through a cash collection at Emerson's Winter Concert, Excelsus was able to purchase 5 new percussion instruments for this ensemble.

• Band: Thursday 2:45 - 3:45pm
Emerson has a wonderful Band Program made up of Woodwind and Brass players as well as percussionists. This ensemble is co-taught by Wind Professional, Deborah Avery and Brass Professional, Matt Fronke.

• Piano Class: Friday
3:05 - 3:45pm Grades 1 & 2
3:45 - 4:30pm Grades 3 - 5

This is a "Parent Pay" class at Emerson and has the students divided by age and ability. Class size is limited so register early.
For more information and to enroll your student, email Excelsus or call (562) 438-9950.

Bixby Elementary School
5251 East Stearns Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
Excelsus is in its second season of offering programs on-site at the Florence Bixby School. We currently offer:

• String Ensemble: Wednesday 2:30 - 3:30pm
ALL violin and cello students who participate in the weekly Bixby Program with Ms. Thomas are welcome to enroll.

• Guitar Class: Tuesday 2:30 - 3:30pm
This is our second season having the fabulous guitarist and teacher, Jimmy Cheesman at Bixby.

New City Charter School
1230 Pine Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90813
Excelsus is in its second season of offering programs on-site at New City School. We currently offer:

• String Ensemble: Monday 3:45 - 4:45pm
In the Fall of 2004, Excelsus hosted a special Fund Raising Event to get the broken New City violins repaired. Since that time we have been able to offer a rich and vibrant After School Program to their students.

• Guitar Class: Monday 3:45 - 4:45pm
This is our second season having the fabulous guitarist and teacher, Jimmy Cheesman at New City.

Lowell Elementary School
5201 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90803
Excelsus is in its third season of offering programs on-site at Lowell. We offer a Wednesday afternoon String Program taught by Professional Violinist and Educator, Elaine Tubinis. It takes place from 3:30 - 4:30pm in the Lowell Auditorium. ALL violin and cello students who participate in the weekly Lowell Program are welcome to enroll. For more information on tuition and to enroll your string player, email Excelsus or call (562) 438-9950.

Twain Elementary School
5021 East Centralia Street
Long Beach, CA 90808
Excelsus is in its second season of offering programs on-site at Twain. We offer a Tuesday afternoon String Program taught by Professional Violinist / Cellist Kristen Autry. It takes place from 3:30 - 4:30pm in the Twain Auditorium. ALL violin and cello students who participate in the weekly Twain Program with Ms. Powell are welcome to enroll. For more information on tuition and to enroll your string player, contact Director of Programs, Barry Cogert or call (562) 438-9950.

What we offer...

With the energy and collaboration of exceptional musicians, Excelsus Music Collaborators offers after-school music programs in the following areas:

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MENTORING ENSEMBLES
• Instructional classes are available for string, wind, guitar and percussion students. Excelsus uses the same curriculum for these ensembles that is used in the existing school music program.
• At the conclusion of each 8 week instructional session, the students involved participate in a performance to share their talents with friends, faculty and family.

CHORAL PERFORMING ENSEMBLES
•In schools without a Choral Program, Excelsus provides exceptional Conductors and Pianists to lead the students in exploring our rich Choral history. Repertoire ranges from Classical to Jazz and everything in between!
• At the conclusion of each 8 week instructional session, the students involved participate in a performance to share their talents with friends, faculty and family.

MUSICAL MAGIC
• Students participate in every aspect of producing a Musical performance. Excelsus brings together professional production designers and directors to guide the students in creating costumes, props, learning the music and putting on the production.

MUSIC IS SO MUCH MORE
• Excelsus offers after school classes on everything from Jazz, Opera, Classical music and Classic Rock.
• Each class is offered as an 8 week session and includes visits from professional musicians in the area playing in the style.

What role does the Excelsus After School Music Mentor Program play in providing students with a complete education?

• GOAL: to provide supplemental music programs through on-site, After School Music Programs.
• OBJECTIVE: Local high school and college students work under the supervision of Excelsus faculty to mentor students in Elementary and Middle Schools through a comprehensive after school music curriculum.
• OUTCOME #1: At the conclusion of each 8 week session, the students involved will participate in a performance to share their talents with friends, faculty and family.
• OUTCOME #2: Studies show that students involved in music consistently score higher in their academic classes than students not involved in music.

Excelsus connects area teaching artists and credentialed music educators with local school students. To do this we have collaboration in place with Local 353 Musicians Union to provide the highest quality professional musicians for our school programs.

Get your school involved!
Bring an Excelsus After School Mentor Program into YOUR school! For more information, please email Excelsus or call (562) 438-9950.