Supporting quality music education, performances and instruments
About Us
Our Mission
We support high quality music education, performances and instruments for students on the Central Oregon Coast.
Our Team
Our dedicated team includes music teachers Mike Freel, Karin Teisl, Gwen Lahti, principals Nick Lupo, Becca Bostwick and Sandy Mummey, LCSD Director, Majalise Tolan, Lincoln City Cultural Center ED Niki Price, Chuck Feist, Director of Endowment, Christine Tell, Director of Operations and our Director of the Music is Instrumental Board, Mark Sanders.
Our History
In 2014, the Oregon Community Foundation awarded a Studio to School Project to Lincoln City Schools, Siletz Bay Music Festival and Lincoln City Cultural Center to return music to schools. We created a sequential music program in grades K - 12 ~ building from one teacher with 40 students in 2014, to three teachers with 1,250 students in 2018. Music is Instrumental was founded in 2018 to sustain and expand this effort to other schools on the Central Oregon Coast.
Our Programs
6th Grade Band - Required for all students
Individually each student makes so much progress in the first part of the year, it is a thrill to see how proud they are of themselves each time they actually play a piece together as a band. ~ Karin Teisel, 6th grade band, music education 3-5
Music Education from Kindergarden - Grade 2
Music is a vital part of each student’s daily life. Our students sing, play instruments, move to music, listen to music, learn to read music, and develop social and collaboration skills as they prepare for performances. Our classroom is a joyful place! ~ Gwen Lahti
Concert, Symphonic, Jazz Bands and Choir
In 2019, for a second year, the Taft 7-12 High School choir qualified for OSAA state championship at the Invitational Choir Festival at Linfield College in McMinnville. The Taft Symphonic Band qualified for OSAA state championships by winning the 3A division at the Oregon State University Invitational Band Festival. We hosted a State qualifying Jazz Festival at Taft on April 9. Our students realize that their hard work pays off. ~ Mike Freel