Music
Performance Samplings
McNary Area Samples
West Area Samples
McKay Area Samples
North Area Mass Number
South Area
Sprague Area
(Stay Tuned)
(Stay Tuned)
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Upcoming Performances
In the News
Project Chamber Music: Willamette Valley – Elsinore Theatre
Music Educator of the Year Award
Each year, the Oregon Symphony in Salem honors a music teacher as Music Educator of the Year. The process begins with the nomination of candidates from any area of public classroom music education in the Salem-Keizer School District, including orchestra, band, and choir.
Past Music Educator of the Year Award Winners
2019/20: Ariana Recher, music director at Wright Elementary in Salem-Keizer School District
2018/19: Jim Charnholm, orchestra, McKay High School; Kimberly McConnell, choir, West Salem High School
2017/18: Karly Schindler, general music, Chávez Elementary School
2016/17: George Thomson, West Salem High; Dr. David Brown, Sprague High; and Andy Thomas, Whiteaker Middle School
2015/16: Anisa Rodriguez Foroughi, general music, Four Corners Elementary
2014/15: Rebecca Couch, choir director, Walker Middle School
2013/14: Steve Phillips, general music, Auburn Elementary School
2012/13: Todd Zibelman, symphony orchestra and band director, West Salem High School
2011/12: Tiffany Gaither, general music, Schirle Elementary
2010/11: Carol Stenson, choir director, South Salem High School
2009/10: Jim Taylor, choir director, McNary High School
2008/09: Ike Nail, band director, West Salem High School
2007/08: Bonnie Gallagher, orchestra director, Whiteaker Middle School
2006/07: Holly Albertson, general music, Gubser Elementary; and Rosalie Karalekas, general music, Rosedale and Liberty Elementary Schools
2005/06: Stephen A. Nelson, orchestra director, Sprague High School
2004/05: Paul J. Mayhew, choir director, McNary High School
2003/04: Janet Romine, general music, Faye Wright Elementary; and Russ Christensen, choir director, Sprague High School
2002/03: Mary Lou Boderman, band director, South Salem High School
2000/01: Richard Dalzell, choir director, North Salem High School
Elementary Choral Festival
Winners:
Caden Harris-Clippinger & Matthew Zheng – South Salem High School
Brahms Double Concerto in a minor for Violin and Cello – Movement 1
Honorable Mention distinction:
Victor Ceja (McNary High School)– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Concerto in G for Flute – Movement 1
Caden Randolph (Sprague High School) – Franz Joseph Haydn – Concerto for Trumpet
Judges
The following 5 distinguished professionals were the judges of the competition:
Nikolas Caoile – Wenatchee Symphony/Central Washington University – Director of Orchestras
Danh Pham – Washington State University – Director of Symphony Orchestra & Wind Ensemble
Ken Selden – Portland State University – Director of Orchestras
Katherine McLin – Arizona State University – Professor of Violin
Ben Brooks – Reynolds High School (Retired) – Orchestra/Band Director & Clinician
Congratulations to all of the participants from throughout the Salem-Keizer Schools and surrounding area!
West Salem High School recognized
2019
- Music Lesson Project – Statesman Journal May 9, 2019
2018
- Collegiate-bound McKay pianist overcomes health issues – KOIN 6 May 28, 2018
- PHOTOS: 2018 OSAA Band State Championships – Statesman Journal, May 12, 2018
- West Salem, South Salem win orchestra championships – Statesman Journal May 11, 2018
- McNary a capella group Something Dangerous to compete at semifinals – Statesman Journal Jan. 23, 2018
- Music Lesson Project Fundraiser – Music Department Jun. 28, 2018
2017
- West Salem High School once again takes home regional marching band prize – Statesman Journal Nov. 5, 2017
- Salem-Keizer students receive Withnell music scholarships – Statesman Journal May 23, 2017
2016
- Best friends win Music Hall of Fame scholarships – Statesman Journal April 21, 2016
- 30 years of OSAA music competitions – Statesman Journal, spring 2016
2015
- How Salem music teacher Gary Frame has changed lives – Statesman Journal Nov. 21, 2015
- Mr. Frame’s opus: Alumni reflect on teacher’s influence – Statesman Journal Nov. 21, 2015
- Oregon’s Best Kept Secret: Music – Statesman Journal May, 19 2015
- Marching Band & Color Guard, Sprague HS 2019
- State Choir, 2019
- State Orchestra, 2019
- State Band, 2019
- West Salem Jazz Festival, 2019
- Withnell-recipents-2022
- Salem Pops Scholarship Past Recipients
- Vernon L. Wiscarson Concerto Past Competition Winners
- OSAS Student Writing Contest Winners
- OMEA District Solo – Ensemble Winners
Information & Resources
Instruments for Kids
Donate your gently used musical instruments today!
Help us provide instruments for students who would love to participate in school music programs. We gladly accept monetary donations to help with the cost of instrument repair and maintenance.
Drop off locations:
233 Commercial Street: Monday-Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm
484 State Street: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm
Questions? Or to arrange for a pick up, call 503-364-2933
The Music Lessons Project
The new Music Lessons Project, a community-supported non-profit organization dedicated to providing individualized and small-group lessons.
Music Lessons Project brings private lessons to Salem’s lower-income schools
Application Coming Soon
Information is available on the OMEA website
Straub Middle School
This event is hosted by Straub Middle School and caters to middle school students. It will be held on TBD. Registration information will be available through your band director.
OMEA District 4
This event is hosted by the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA), District 4. It serves as the state-qualifying event for students in OMEA’s District 4 region. Though ineligible for advancement to state competition, middle school students are welcome to participate. Registration information will be available through your band director.
Oregon Symphony Association
Salem Community Chorus
Salem Pops Scholarships
- Application -Coming soon
Sylvia Perry Memorial Scholarship
Withnell Scholarship
VSO Young Artist Competition
Young Soloist Competition
Richard Todd performs classical horn solos and jazz improvisation. He will be joined by the McKay and North Salem High School Jazz Bands.
Performance details
- Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 p.m.
- McKay High School Auditorium
- Admission is free and open to the public
About Richard Todd
Horn teacher at the University of Miami, and former Principal Horn of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Todd’s studio career has spanned over 35 years and included over 2,000 film and television scores. He has been given screen credit on blockbusters such as Star Trek Into Darkness and Tomorrowland. As a jazz artist, Todd’s education started with Ellis Marsalis.
Music Event Monthly Calendar
Distance Learning Projects & Performances
McNary HS APT Program
McNary HS Choir
North Salem HS Choir
Sprague HS Band
- Sprague Band – Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, © Woodbury Music Company LLC, ASCAP. Used with permission
Sprague HS Choir
Sprague HS Orchestra
- Spring Program
- Sprague HS National Anthem
- Gloria! Vivaldi – Orch 9
- A Charlie Brown Christmas – Orch 10
- Grown Up Christmas List – Orch 11/12
- Christmas in the Renaissance – Orch 9
- Polar Express – Orch 11/12
- All Through The Night – Orch 10
South Salem HS Choir
West Salem HS Choir
West Salem HS Symphony Orchestra
- WSHS Sleigh Ride, Winter 2020
by Leroy Anderson, © Woodbury Music Company LLC. ASCAP
Used with permission
Crossler MS Orchestra
- Crossler Holiday Card
Judson Middle School Choir
- WMC Program Holiday for December 19 & 20 Annual Holiday Concert
-
WMC Virtual Choir Holiday Concert Saturday Premiere Saturday, December 19, 2020 video recording
-
2020 WMC Virtual Choir Holiday Concert Sunday Premiere Sunday, December 20, 2021 video recording
Gubser Elementary Choir
- Underneath The Tree Virtual Choir
- Gator Choir ’21 Spring Concert
Theatre Performance
Quick Facts: Our Faculty
OSAS Music Teacher of the Year
- 2004: Janet Romine, Russ Christensen
- 2005: Paul Mayhew
- 2006: Stephen Nelson
- 2007: Rosalie Karalekas, Holly Albertson
- 2008: Ike Nail
- 2009: Jim Taylor
- 2010: Carol Stenson
- 2011: Tiffany Gaither
- 2012: Todd Zimbelman
- 2013: Steve Phillips
- 2014: Rebecca Hollen
- 2015: Anisa Rodriguez-Foroughi
- 2016: George Thomson, David Brown, Andy Thomas
- 2017: Karly Schindler
- 2018: Jim Charnholm, orchestra, McKay High School; Kimberly McConnell, choir, West Salem High School
- 2019: Ariana Recher
Crystal Apple Recipients
- Barb Fontana, 2003
- Becca Hollen, 2015
- Bonnie Gallagher, 2008
- Chuck Graber, 1997
- Dave DeRoest, 2015
- Gordon Ogo, 2004
- Jason Erikson, 2019
- Karl Raschkes, 2007
ODE Standards for Music
National and ODE standards follow the same framework.
These diagrams may be helpful in understanding how the standards are coded within the framework (3 pgs).
Scope & Sequences
Elementary ODE Music Standard
Choir ODE Music Standards
Orchestra ODE Music Standards
Band ODE Music Standards
We asked our staff, “What is the best thing about teaching in Salem-Keizer?”
“The best part of teaching in Salem-Keizer is the high quality of teaching, standards and musical experience for our students, as well as the incredible community support for our music in Salem-Keizer.”
“I love working with a district dedicated to the excellence of the students as well as teachers. It is a wonderful district to teach in because I can support and be supported by other teachers in the school and the district.”
“The practical support of new teachers by the music leadership. Salem-Keizer holds high standards for music, but is also great at helping teachers meet those standards.”
“Salem-Keizer has a great community of teachers that offer support and assistance to one another. They are open to new ideas and help create an environment for success.”
“The teachers you will work with lead to an environment that pushes you to continue to grow as an educator. The people here are really great to work with.”
“Feeling a part of a strong musical culture and history, community support, accountability”
“The well-supported, high quality music programs, in all levels and areas makes me proud to be a new hire in SKSD.”
“Great colleagues. They really spread you out so that you can get a lot of experience.”
“Teaching in a community that supports you and loves music is a dream come true. I appreciate the connection between other teachers in my discipline and the community of support and encouragement that we have fostered. The students are phenomenal and I feel gratified as a musician in the quality of music we get to make together.”
“The Salem-Keizer school district is full of thriving music programs and excellent staff. This creates a culture of high expectations and exceptional support and growth opportunities. I truly believe I have grown so much as a music educator through the intentional and frequent formal and informal supports at the district and area levels. My colleagues are incredibly knowledgeable and are always willing to help and support the work I do with my students.”
Stephen Lytle
Coordinator of Music & Drama
Salem-Keizer Public School
Portland Professional Ctr.
4760 Portland Rd. NE
Salem, Oregon 97305
Kathryn Kem
Program Assistant
Sheila Gebhardt
Administrative Specialist
Interested In Working Here?
Our district employs over 100 music teachers, serving students in kindergarten through high school. Students in our elementary schools receive at least an hour of music instruction each week, in addition to optional participation in choir, orchestra, and band. The choir, orchestra, and band programs continue through high school, with the full complement offered at each of our traditional middle and high schools. Some schools also offer courses in guitar, world drumming, piano, ukulele, etc.
Our programs are staffed vertically, enabling students to receive instruction from teachers working within their area of specialty. Our faculty hail from around the country, drawn by the commitment our community makes to ensuring all students have access to a quality music education. If you’re interested in joining our faculty you may wish to explore this website for perspectives from faculty members (Quick Facts section above), samples of student performances, and scope and sequences for our core content areas. You may also wish to visit our district’s quick facts page, our employment page, or search our current job postings.