While many public, charter, and private schools find themselves in the unenviable position of cutting programs in the face of diminishing enrollment and funding, Rancho Solano is pleased to report to its families that the school is moving forward with plans to bolster its first through third grade general music program through the addition of strings curriculum administered by highly qualified strings instructors. Rooted in a similar and highly successful program at one of Rancho’s Meritas sister-schools, North Broward Prep in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, this revolutionary approach to elementary music instruction was developed and tested by Chris Petruzzi, a Julliard-educated violin instructor, who will spearhead the implementation of the program at RSPS. Building upon an introduction to strings and orchestra in kindergarten, 1st through 3rd graders will be meeting with violin teachers 3 to 4 times a week and learning general music theory through hands-on experience with age-appropriate, custom-sized violins. “The end result,” says RSPS Headmaster Geoff Brown, “will be a group of students who are skilled with the violin and possess a practical understanding of music theory, who will drive an unparalleled middle grades band and orchestra program. We’re very fortunate in such a difficult economy to be able to announce them implementation of a program like this. The curriculum is tried and tested and our students are looking forward to experiencing a phenomenal program.”