SR 10-15-2019 13C 13.C
October 15, 2019
Council Meeting: October 15, 2019 Santa Monica, California
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services
Department
Date: October 15, 2019
13.C Request of Mayor Davis, Councilmembers Winterer and Morena that the
Council use $19,065 of its discretionary fund to support expansion of the
Mariachi Music Program in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District. The money will be designated for the Santa Monica Education
Foundation which is the primary financial supporter of the program.
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SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
MARIACHI IMPLEMENTATION PROPOSAL
SMMUSD is requesting support from the Santa Monica City Council for $19,065 to support the fifty 5th grade
students in the elementary mariachi music program for the 2019–2020 school year.
RATIONALE
It is the goal of the Santa Monica-Malibu USD to implement a Mariachi Education Program with the objective
of providing students of various ethnicities an exceptional educational experience that would expand their
cultural awareness and promote a lifelong appreciation for music. The program will offer students, many of
them from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, a high-quality musical experience of a multigenerational
tradition rooted in a sound, sequential, standards-based curriculum. Additionally, students will develop
sensitivity, understanding, and respect for peoples from a broad spectrum of ethnic-cultural backgrounds.
Program Goals
• Students will gain an understanding of the historical development of mariachi music.
• Students will explore and experiment with different musical styles and techniques to further their
understanding of improvisation and musical interpretation.
• Students will gain confidence in their abilities as individual musicians and as members of a group.
• Students will participate in high-quality musical experiences from an established musical tradition.
• Students will gain an understanding of musical form.
• Students will gain and develop a lifelong appreciation of and interest in music.
• Students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and a sense of personal
• responsibility as they increase their performance skills.
Objectives
• To develop an appreciation for musical form and its development
• To understand regional and historical variations of mariachi music
• To develop the ability to successfully demonstrate a variety of mariachi skills and techniques using
appropriate instruments
• To incorporate traditional rhythms used in mariachi music into musical performances
• To increase awareness of the literal and emotional content of music
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INTRODUCTION TO MARIACHI
Edison Dual Language Academy
Every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30pm
This one-year course is designed as a study in music fundamentals, with each student given the
opportunity to learn and participate through singing, listening, reading, notating, and creating while
playing the guitar and vihuela. Emphasis has been placed on providing meaningful introductory music-
making experiences representative of the mariachi genre.
Course Goals:
1. To demonstrate fundamental notation skills.
2. To demonstrate correct vocal and instrumental tone production.
3. To demonstrate correct vocal and instrumental performance technique.
4. To perform an introductory level of mariachi repertoire.
5. To demonstrate appropriate concert etiquette for mariachi performances.
6. To critique performances utilizing the five elements of music as well as the specific characteristics
of mariachi music.
7. To demonstrate knowledge of future career, performance, and audience opportunities.
8. To demonstrate the joy of music-making through the mariachi genre.
Update: In July of 2018, the Santa Monica Education Foundation received a generous grant of $22,000
from the City of Santa Monica to support the 2019-20 elementary mariachi program. This funding
provided the startup costs for the 2018-19 school year, which included purchase of 3 guitarrons, 3
vihuelas and 20 guitars, mariachi music textbooks for the 50 students and 5 music teachers, training and
staffing costs. The first year, 2018-19, was a huge success with 50 students successfully completing the
program and performing at concerts and special events around Santa Monica. As a result, we have 50
new students in the elementary mariachi program and 64 students enrolled in the new middle school
mariachi program as well!
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Vernice Hankins
From:Tom Whaley <tomwhly@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, October 14, 2019 7:51 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Cc:Gleam Davis; Ted Winterer
Subject:Mariachi Request
Dear Mayor Davis and Santa Monica City Council Members,
Thank you so much for considering my request for financial support of the SMMUSD Mariachi music program at the City
Council meeting tomorrow night. I was planning to come to the meeting tomorrow night, but I just received word that
the item is estimated to be discussed at 12:15am and unfortunately I won’t be able to stay that late. I would like to
thank each of you for all the support provided to the outstanding music and arts programs in the SMMUSD!
Thank you, Tom
Sent with my iPhone
Item 13-C
10/15/19
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10/15/19