1st grade student piano duet with Mr Sobun
At Baker Demonstration School, our commitment to innovative music education, within our arts education, shines bright during our annual Winter Holiday Sing. Students from pre-K through 8th grade showcase their growth in both music and dance from the first trimester. This celebration represents more than just performances – it embodies our understanding of both the process of learning while leaning into our students’ interests, and how innovative music education fundamentally shapes developing minds.
The Science Behind Innovative Arts Education
Baker has long been a leader in innovative, research backed, curriculum. Research consistently demonstrates the profound impact of music and movement on brain development. According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, musical training enhances the brain’s ability to process language, potentially improving reading skills and verbal memory. Hands-on learning, as we do at Baker, optimizes the musical learning journey and creates opportunities for young brains to deeper develop knowledge in other academic areas of learning. Researchers found that “children who regularly attend music classes and actively participated showed larger improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers after two years.”
Dance: Moving with Heart and Purpose
Collaborative dance piece with our middle school and all school dance classes
“Watching our students work together across age groups brings such joy to our community,” shares Ms. Dow. “When younger students partner with older ones, we see confidence blossom and leadership skills emerge naturally.” The performance showcases not just dance moves, but the courage it takes to step outside comfort zones and the pride that comes from mastering new challenges.
Music: A Progressive, Innovative Music Education Journey of Discovery
Mr. Anthony Sobun’s music program demonstrates how artistic education evolves throughout a student’s Baker journey. Our Early Childhood students begin with “Winter Wiggles,” exploring fundamental concepts of tempo and rhythm through movement and song. The National Association for Music Education reports that early exposure to music education supports the development of critical listening skills and phonological awareness, key predictors of reading ability.
As students progress through our program, the complexity grows organically – first and second graders tackle harmony and accompaniment in “Stand by Me,” while third graders demonstrate their growing musical literacy through “Iko Iko.” By middle school, students are arranging sophisticated pieces like “The Tempest” and “Seven Nation Army,” developing skills that translate directly to higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Long-Term Impact: Hands-On, Innovative Music Education and Future Success
The benefits of strong arts education and innovative music education, extend well beyond the classroom. A study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that students with high levels of arts engagement outperformed their peers in several areas:
- 88% achieved high levels of academic success
- They were three times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree
- They showed higher levels of civic engagement and social tolerance
- They demonstrated greater innovation and creative thinking in their chosen careers.
Process Over Product: The Baker Way
4th and 5th grade independent band performance
What makes Baker’s approach to arts education and innovative music education unique, is our emphasis on the learning process rather than just the final performance, through fundamental Progressive Education curriculum and innovative teaching. Every song and dance movement represents countless moments of discovery, collaboration, and growth. Students don’t just learn to perform – they develop musical literacy, spatial awareness, emotional intelligence, and collaborative skills that will serve them well beyond their school years. Our students are also empowered to lead in creation of performance pieces and their ideas are supported and taken seriously by our expert teachers.
The Holiday Sing is more than just a seasonal celebration; it’s a testament to Baker’s commitment to a purposeful, innovative curriculum, and our belief that every child has the capacity to grow as both an artist and a person. These experiences lay the groundwork for success across academic, personal, and professional domains.
Want to learn more about how your child can experience Baker’s exceptional education? Join a tour today.