Concept and Model
The SCORE concept allows for continued well-rounded musical development in children who are eight to twelve years old. For many young musicians, the transition from elementary school music to middle school music can be abrupt, even awkward. It is common for a child, who has been experiencing an increasingly wide range of musical activities in the elementary grades, to suddenly have to decide in middle school between band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, or chorus, perhaps to be slotted that way for the rest of the school years.
This transitional time is a watershed for musical development, and a critical time for broad-based, challenging musical activities. SCORE seeks to mine the enormous musical potential of children of this age, allowing them to continue to be well-rounded singers/instrumentalists with heightened ensemble challenges and leadership opportunities
Any community or school that has an active strings program for children, along with good Orff music and movement instruction, can put together a SCORE group.
SCORE as a Model
The American Children of SCORE in Virginia is based in Fauquier County. Rehearsals are held at Highland Center for the Arts in Warrenton, VA. The group draws from several different schools and includes many home-schooled children.
Within the Community
Many children’s ensembles throughout the country have been inspired by the SCORE concept and have been nourished by SCORE arrangements and materials, including groups in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and New York (Harlem, NYC).
SCORE Within a School Curriculum
Throughout his 30+ years of teaching music, John Krumich has incorporated the concept of SCORE into the music education curriculum for grades 3 through 6 in several schools, including at his present teaching position at Highland School in Warrenton, VA.