IN THE CLASSROOM:

Ellie Yates loved learning about music when she was growing up. Not only was it fun, but her teachers helped instill a love of music that has endured for the 72-year-old.

It was only natural she would try to bestow the same gift on Newport-Mesa students.

Yates has helped to get the Musical Me program adopted at three Newport-Mesa elementary schools. The program has third-grade students at Victoria, Newport and Newport Heights Elementary take a break for five minutes to take in classical music to build listening skills, as well as an appreciation for music.

Yates is part of the Lido Isla Committee of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County which developed the program.

“This creates curiosity in the creative process,” Yates said. “They remember composers by name, composition, accept quality composed music into their everyday lives, acquire basic music vocabulary, and focus listening habits.”

The program costs $250 for the eight CDs and a script for the teachers to read with the music.

Teachers are suggested to play the same title for a week before moving to the next to get students fully absorbed in a composition, Yates said.

The program is being implemented in seven school districts in Orange County, and Yates hopes it will become widespread at Newport-Mesa. It meets California Visual and Performing Arts standards. The program is easily performed. Educators don’t need a musical background or training, it is applicable for kindergarten through eighth grade and is flexible in its time and production, according to Yates.

The program follows selections from the Renaissance through the 20th century.

“Kids hear the music for five minutes a day and it settles them down,” Yates said.

Yates will continue to follow the program as she helps to get it established throughout the district. She has sent evaluation forms to the schools using it and hopes to get positive feedback on the program.

“My children grew up in Los Angeles,” Yates said. “They didn’t get to experience this wonderful program.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].